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The Best Shammi Kapoor Songs

It all began with a red gramophone player gifted by Nargis to Shammi Kapoor. Fascinated by the potential of this shiny new device, the actor spent all his spare time listening to a variety of world music like bolero and rumba.

As an outcome of these regular sessions, the self-styled star developed a rich sense of rhythm and response, influencing his now celebrated spontaneity in song and dance sequences.

Impressed by Shammi's buoyant, free-spirited moves, music composers and singers were only too happy to reproduce his vibrant 'ada' in every single beat and nuances. What sprang on screen was exciting and distinctive enough to evoke an inspired 'yahoo' from one and all.

Today he's no more but the legacy of his flamboyant exuberance lives on and continues to spread smiles. Here's remembering the legendary Shammi Kapoor and some of the most popular songs of his career:

Tumsa nahi dekha, Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957)

Dev Anand's loss turned out to be Shammi's gain after Nasir Hussain offered him to lead the romantic musical, Tumsa Nahin Dekha. The fluff's runaway success turned out to be just the breakthrough the struggling second son of Prithviraj Kapoor was looking for.

One can never have enough of his bright-eyed gaze and playful serenade, despite heroine Ameeta's unrelenting stance, atop a horse tanga against O P Nayyar's chartbusting title track.

Dil Deke Dekho (Dil Deke Dekho)

Shammi and Nasir Hussain's partnership continued to flourish with yet another light-hearted musical, Dil Deke Dekho, also marking the debut of Asha Parekh.

What's there not to love about this breezy Usha Khanna creation? And even though Shammi is restricted behind a pair of drums all through this snazzy song, his lively body language is as good as hitting a dance floor.

Yahoo (Junglee)

There's nothing poetic or romantic about a song titled Chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe. But, boy, does Shammi Kapoor make it work or what?

Shankar-Jaikishan's bouncy proclamation of love to flatter a clearly nervous Saira Banu has the star monkeying about a heavily snow-clad Kashmir with a sort of never-before-seen ardor. It's insane. It's iconic.

Bar Bar Dekho (China Town)

Indeed, there's much to repeatedly like about Shammi Kapoor's lively shimmy (sung by a zing-personified Mohammad Rafi) against Ravi's incurably infectious single.

The actor changes goes against type, playing a double role of singer and gangster in Shakti Samanta's noir thriller.

Dil Tera Deewana (Dil Tera Deewana)

Shammi Kapoor's charms work their way into demure Mala Sinha's heart. And it's not too long before the duo lets their hair down in a crazy downpour to the lilting melody of Dil tera deewana.

Aye Gulbadan (Professor)

Rafi's versatile voice understood the madness in Shammi Kapoor's method and conveyed this mellifluously in several super-hit songs.

Likewise for Professor's Aye gul badan; Rafi's range and Shammi's flamboyance makes it impossible not to fall in love with this ultra romantic song.

Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra (Kashmir Ki Kali)

Shankar-Jaikishan reserved some of their most romantic songs for Shammi Kapoor. Can you really blame them? Shammi displays the art of wooing in his classic style in this vivacious, evergreen melody, Yeh chaand sa roshan sa chehra addressing Sharmila Tagore's irresistible beauty.

Is Rang Badalti Duniya Mein (Rajkumar)

No matter how many heroines he pursued, Shammi struck a precious chemistry with each and every one. There's much to swoon in his portrayal of an eternally smitten Romeo directing poetry and passion towards a luminous Sadhana in Is rang badalti duniya.

Bewitching stuff, this.

Meri Mohabbat Jawan Rahegi (Janwaar)

Shammi Kapoor's zest for life and eternally romantic appeal defined his persona. No matter what age he got to, his on-screen romances inspired and endeared generations to come.

And this beautiful composition by Shankar-Jaikishen appears to reiterate just that.

Oh Haseena Zulfon Wali (Teesri Manzil)

Every song in Teesri Manzil is nothing short of a gem. But there's so much glamour, style, substance, grandeur, energy, gloss and oomph about this particular R D Burman creation, it hits you. And hard.

As for Shammi, the man's A to Z of groovy!

Akele Akele Kahan Ja Rahe Ho (An Evening in Paris)

The unbeatable team of Shammi-Rafi-Shankar-Jaikishen come together once again for producing an assortment of mellow, moody and mischievous numbers in An Evening in Paris.

And while Raat ke humsafar is an absolute beauty, Shammi is completely at home pursuing his elusive lady love in the curiosity-driven Akele akele kahan ja rahe ho?

Dil Ke Jharoke Mein (Brahmachari)

Free style dancing to rock and roll beats? Why Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke is quintessential Shammi!

Yet, it's his ability to keep you hooked through a controlled emotional outburst, throwing hurtful glances at a triumphant Pran and deserter Rajshree, in the compelling behind-the-piano, heartbreak song, Dil ke jharoke that makes this a winner.

Badan Pe Sitaare (Prince)

Trust Shammi Kapoor to concoct poetry out his ladylove's sequined sari in order to get up close and personal. Only Vyjyanthimala, believe it or faint, prefers to waltz in Ajit's arms instead in this Lekh Tandon entertainer.

What a waste! But this rollicking number is not.

Meri Bhains Ko Danda (Pagla Kahin Ka)

There's much comic chaos and lunacy in this Manna Dey-led pandemonium of a song from Pagla Kahin Ka. Contrary to what the title suggests, Shammi's only pretending to be crazy.

Still, this is one hell of a amusing game of bhains danda.

Dil Use Do (Andaz)

Shammi Kapoor teams up with Hema Malini in Ramesh Sippy's directorial debut to engage in a complicated, grown-up romance.

And while Zindagi ek safar, featuring Rajesh Khanna in a cameo, topped most playlists, Shammi's Dil usse do sits pretty as second best.

Haathon Ki Chand Lakeeron Ka (Vidhaata)

By 1980s, Shammi Kapoor had graduated to playing character roles. In Subhash Ghai's Vidhaata, he's cast as an engine driver and buddy to Dilip Kumar. The stalwarts get together to debate over taqdeer and tadbeer in Laxmikant-Pyarelal's Haathon ki chand lakeeron ka.

Another Shammi song in the movie, Saat saheliyan with its suggestive lyrics did not go down so well with the moral police.