India-Forums.TV

[huma]

Actor Shammi Kapoor, who in his heydays had the women going weak-kneed with a tilt of his head, that aching look in his eyes, the swagger in his carriage and the magic in those wild, energetic movements, still remains every bit of the charmer. Here’s how he woos TOI...

Chennai is thrilled to have you...
I am really excited to be here. The last time I visited Chennai was almost 40 years ago. Some of my movies like Dil Tera Diwana and Pyar Kiya To Darna Kiya were shot here. I can’t wait to find out how much has Chennai changed. Back then, there used to be just one Chinese restaurant in the entire city!

Songs from your movies that will be sung this evening?
Let’s keep that a surprise.

You were a true trendsetter...
Well, I did my best. My style was unique, but it would have come to nothing had it not been for such brilliant music directors like O P Nayyar and Shankar-Jaikishan. I was this supremely macho guy and within me lay dormant an incredible energy that was screaming for expression. Luckily for me, my directors sensed the potential in me and allowed me to unleash my creativity. I guess I also had this very innocent way of looking at girls that heightened the romance element in my films.

Your yaahooo moment...
Though I’d yahooed in both Tumsa Nahi Dekha and Dil Deke Dekho, it was my rendition of yaahooo in Junglee that went down in history. It just went with my rebel star image.

Can we expect that yaahooo call this evening?
Let’s see how nice you are to me!

You’ve a special equation with Aamir Khan...
I shared a very close relationship with Aamir’s uncle Nasir Hussain, who directed me in Teesri Kasam, Tumsa Nahin Dekha and Dil Deke Dekho. Aamir has grown up in front of my eyes and I am very proud of his achievements. Aamir made one very moving comment about me at a felicitation function. He said, “Shammi Kapoor is not the Elvis Presley of India. Elvis Presley is the Shammi Kapoor of America.”

Any memory from your movie days that stands out...
It’s difficult to sift through such a mountain of memories and come up with just one. But here’s something. This was when we were conceptualising the shoot of the song Tareef Karun Kya Uski from Kashmir Ki Kali. I insisted we shoot it in Mumbai and promised them fireworks. Thankfully, I was given that freedom and the song became a cracker of a hit.

Any actress from the current lot you think you could have romanced onscreen?
You seem bent on getting me into trouble! I am 78 and most of today’s top heroines are barely above 25. So, no thank you, I’d rather not answer this.

You are an Internet buff...
I am a complete gadget and gizmo freak. I became familiar with the virtual world way back in 1988. Much before I bought the hardware, I had mastered all the software. Call it a hobby or passion, but I am addicted to technology. Of course my other passion is driving. Even now when I have to have dialysis three times a week, I never let go of an opportunity to drive myself. I quietly ask the driver to move to the backseat.

Your joie de vivre is infectious...
Life’s been great, life’s been beautiful. Staying alive is an indescribable joy. I have been undergoing dialysis for seven years now, but that hasn’t dampened my spirits a wee bit. I live life fully, and rest assured that when I kick the bucket, I’ll die a happy man.