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10 Reasons We Still Miss Shammi Kapoor
The glory and nostalgia associated with some stars is so mighty, it continues to dazzle our memories even after they're gone.
And with his radiant face, tender voice and a perpetual spring in his step, it's not hard to understand why Shammi Kapoor is at the forefront of such sentiment.
August 14, 2012 marks a year since Hindi cinema's most exuberant icon passed away but the love he received from his admirers has neither diminished nor jaded.
Here's remembering what we miss most about the man and his inimitable magic.
His adas
Shammi Kapoor could be Junglee, Budthameez and Prince. Here's how: His frothy range of expressions doling out everything between a mocking pout to curiously arched eyebrows, carefree mannerisms and a willingness to engage in uninhibited tomfoolery painted the screen with unrivalled effervescence.
His warmth
With his soft smile and genial presence, Shammi Kapoor effortlessly conveyed affection on and off screen.
No wonder this palpable kindness and goodness of character made him a perfect candidate to portray the thoughtful elderly figure in several films.
His shimmy
Without question, the Suku Suku star is one of the best dancers in the industry.
His freestyle moves and rhythmic pattern, responding flawlessly to any beat, burned quite a few floors providing an added incentive for his leading ladies if they failed to keep up.
His gaze
The Kapoors are known to top most 'Beautiful eyes' compilations by virtue of colour or soul.
But it is Shammi Kapoor's irresistible gaze, which melted the heroine into submission or the injured, moist-eyed appearance they wore on being wronged that we will never get over.
His songs
Upbeat, animated, graceful, Shammi Kapoor songs are an infectious extension of his personality.
Dil dekke dekho, Baar baar dekho, Tumsa nahi dekha, Badan pe sitare, Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpe, Govinda aala re, O haseena zulfonwali, Jab mohabbat jawan hoti hai, Raat ke humsafar, Aye gulbadan, Yeh chaand sa roshan chehra, Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche, Dil ke jharoke mein, Meri bhains ko danda, Dil usse do jo... the list is endless.
His wooing
Obviously, with so many attributes, Shammi Kapoor never had a bad day at romance.
Not many could quite serenade a lady like with his brand of verve.
At times, he'd shower her with all his good manners and poetry.
On occasions, he'd resort to crazy antics to grab her reluctant attention.
Whatever he did, it worked like a, oh yes, charm.
His quirky style
His anecdotes
Any Shammi Kapoor aficionado must be aware of how well-versed he was with the internet technology. He started a video blog called 'Shammi Kapoor Unplugged' courtesy Rajshri Media to share fond recollections and fascinating anecdotes.
Like how he inspired Amitabh Bachchan's Neela aasman (Silsila) while jamming with the actor on a folk song of a similar tune on the sets of Zameer or how he suffered from 11 sleepless nights as a 13-year-old after watching the stark, disturbing The Picture of Dorian Gray with his brother Raj Kapoor.
His humour
Part of Shammi Kapoor's allure was in his complete defiance for convention and proclivity for jesting. He was always doing his thing and, in the process, unwittingly setting up new forms of artistry considered too frivolous to be taken seriously back then.
Be it slipping into wacky get-ups, including a drag act in Bluffmaster, to goofy displays of spontaneity in a bid to persuade the heroine.
His Yahoo
But, most of all, we long for the sound of his Yahoo, one of the coolest and heartfelt declarations of unbridled joy made unforgettable by a man who made everything look so much fun.
We miss the cheer.
We miss Shammi Kapoor.