At 77, Shammi Kapoor is irrepressible in his love for music, computers or driving down to Lonavla for a cup of coffee, finds Farhana Farook

This Kapoor has the gumption to flip things around. From being dismissed as a ‘male starlet’ in the early ‘50s, to clinching the title of ‘The Rebel Star’, amidst the monopoly of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand-Shammi Kapoor was a path-finder. Whether it was the trauma of losing his first wife and actor Geeta Bali, or his tryst with spirituality and futuristic technology to his current combat with dysfunctional kidneys, Shamsher Raj Kapoor (his original name) is all about staying power!

Nostalgia nuggets
What gave him ‘a distinct advantage’ says the ‘Yahoo’ star was ‘an innate sense of music’. “I expressed music through my movements–be it Dil Deke Dekho, Professor, Tumsa Nahin Dekho or Junglee,” he reasons. Delineating the similarities and contrast between him and his brothers Shashi and Raj, he stresses, “Kapoors are good-looking-including Ranbir! But I was macho and outgoing!”

Technically spiritual
Foraying into playing character roles (Prem Rog, Vidhaata), Shammi later even dabbled in direction (Manoranjan), only to eventually find his moorings at the ‘lotus feet’ of his young guru. “I spent some beautiful years with my guru in the ‘70s. He wanted me to be just the way I am,” he reveals. Offsetting Shammi’s spirituality was his skill with computers. “I took up computers as a hobby. I read manuals and created a website. I went on the internet in 1992, much before the rest of India. Sitting in this little room, it feels great to be globally connected,” he asserts.

Dealing with dialysis
Today, Shammi, who has been suffering from renal failure since four years, undergoes dialysis thrice a week. “If I didn’t have a positive attitude I’d die. If I have to suffer, I’d rather suffer happily,” he says adding “The days that are dialysis-free are mine. I drive in my beautiful Mercedes F, hearing all types of music-from classical Indian to western. My wife calls up to ask, ‘where are you?’ I tell her I am sipping coffee in Lonavla,” says Shammi, who even in his younger days was car-proud, cherishing his Convertible, Impala and Thunderbird.

Life précis
Shammi is also grateful to wife Neela Devi who ‘anchored’ him. “After Geeta’s death I was going berserk. Neela came and took over my children. She brought about a congenial atmosphere, very necessary for a person like me.” The 77-year-old Shammi sums up, “Despite everything, life teaches you to go on. Recently, Pransaab (noted villain) celebrated his 88 th birthday. I’d like to reach that age too.”