Shammi Kapoor, one of the most loved screen icons of Bollywood would have been 93 if he was alive today. Born on October 21, 1931 in Bombay, he spent a greater part of his childhood in Kolkata where his father, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor did theatrical plays. Shamsher Raj Kapoor who is known as Shammi Kapoor made his debut with Jeewan Jyoti (1953) but his first success was Tumsa Nahi Dekha (1957). Blessed with good looks, he is considered as one of the best dancers in retro Bollywood. Saira Banu Remembers Shammi Kapoor on His 92nd Birth Anniversary, Pens ‘His Zest for Life Was Inspiring’.
After the death of his first wife actress Geeta Bali in 1965, Shammi Kapoor was left with two young children, Aditya Raj Kapoor and a daughter Kanchan. He was heartbroken with such a huge responsibility to shoulder. The late Prithviraj Kapoor then got him wedded to Neila Devi Gohil, who was a princess from Gujarat’s Bhavnagar. She was just 27, but stood like a rock by his side. Last year, in an interview with Rediff, Neila Devi Gohil revealed how he was a true romantic. From handwritten notes to flowers, he knew that small gestures went a long way in a happy relationship. Shammi Kapoor Birth Anniversary: 5 Energetic Dance Moves Of The Late Actor Nobody Can Match (Watch Videos).
Shammi Kapoor and Neila Devi Gohil Had a Beautiful Marriage
Shammi Kapoor suffered from chronic kidney disease and had to undergo dialysis thrice a week. Neila Devi Gohil detailed how he lived to the fullest despite his condition. It seems they would go for drives together. Shammi Kapoor was passionate about driving. At times, he would travel even as far as Lonavala for just a cup of coffee.
The late matinee idol would never buy cards for Neila Devi. Instead, he always preferred to give her hand-written notes. It seems he would scribble, ‘Happy Birthday, Lots Of Love’ on whatever piece of paper he could find. She also said that he was very transparent with her, and respected her immensely.
Neila Devi Gohil said she never had to buy anything for herself, and he would get them for her. In the Reddif interview, she said, “If I was ever going out of India alone, he would give me whatever money he had on him and tell me to spend it on anything I wanted. But for me, the most priceless gift was the flowers Shammiji gave me for my birthday.”
Till Date, Shammi Kapoor Is One of the Most Loved Bollywood Icons
When he was younger he would play sports, but after he gained weight, he became passionate about computers. Late Shammi Kapoor had learnt Hindustani classical music for close to eight years. His favourite song in the last years of his life was “Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajna” from Jab We Met starring his grand niece Kareena Kapoor Khan.
(The above story first appeared on Today News 24 on Oct 21, 2024 09:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website todaynews24.top).