Smile on our faces – A tribute to Shammi Kapoor

Shammi Kapoor,  cinema idol of the 1950’s and 1960’s, died on August 11. To an entire generation of Indians, Mr Kapoor gave hope, cheer and laughter.  I was too young to watch Junglee. My first Shammi Kapoor movie was Janwaar. I watched fascinated as Shammi Kapoor wooed Rajshri with his Lal Chadi, sang Tumse Acha kaun hai wrapped in a blanket, played pranks and, all in all, entertained viewers. The best film of his career was probably Teesri manzil in 1966. I saw it three times when it was released, and, many more times as a rerun on TV. I saw Brahmachari released in 1968 which was his last success.

In the late 1960’s, when I was old enough to watch movies, Shammi Kappor’s career was coming to an end. Thanks to TV, it was in the 1990’s and beyond, to this day that Shammi Kappor has entertained an entire generation of Indians who grew up in the 1960’s and 70’s in an era that young people now cannot imagine.

Shammi Kapoor’s world will be evergreen. Anyone who watches Aiya ya Suku Suku knows that Shammi Kapoor lives in our hearts for ever.