"There is magic in Shammi Kapoor's dance."
Within the glistening realm of classic Bollywood dance, Shammi Kapoor shines as a beacon of energy and flamboyance.
Before stars like Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh made their marks as dancers, Shammi set the floor ablaze.
Many Hindi film songs from Indian cinema’s Golden Era owe their sparkle to Shammi.
It is said that the actor always created his dance steps and reportedly never needed a choreographer.
This uniqueness is what sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.
DESIblitz is here to take you on a joyous ride through some of the best dance sequences of Shammi Kapoor.
Govinda Aala Re – Bluff Master (1963)
Kicking off our list is an evergreen classic from Manmohan Desai’s Bluff Master.
‘Govinda Aala Re’ presents Shammi Kapoor at his very best as he frolics and gyrates energetically.
Wearing tap-dancing shoes and embracing the outdoor spirit, his character Ashok Azad mingles with people in a chawl.
What makes the sequence even more special is that the incomparable voice of Mohammad Rafi aids it.
On YouTube, a fan praises the routine and says:
“How do I praise this song? There is magic in Shammi Kapoor’s dance.”
‘Govinda Aala Re’ was recreated in OMG: Oh My God (2012) with Sonakshi Sinha and Prabhu Deva.
However, the original dance sequence stands alone as the original entertainer.
Aaja Aaja – Teesri Manzil (1966)
Vijay Anand’s Teesri Manzil is one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed racy suspense thrillers.
In the Golden Era of Bollywood, few directors like Vijay Anand have the knack of picturising songs.
He draws the best out of Shammi, who outdoes himself in this classic anthem.
‘Aaja Aaja’ takes place on a dance floor with Shammi (Anil Kumar/Rocky) and Asha Parekh (Sunita) having a blast.
Shammi motions and moves his limbs in a jovial manner, proving that his biggest dancing strength is the organic nature of his steps.
While reviewing Teesri Manzil for Film Companion, Anupama Chopra enthuses:
“Does any contemporary song sequence compare to [‘Aaja Aaja’]?”
Blessed by the rhythmic beats of music composer RD Burman, ‘Aaja Aaja’ is an everlasting representation of the genius dancer that is Shammi Kapoor.
Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta – An Evening in Paris (1967)
When it comes to Bollywood songs featuring cars, trains, and more, this sterling number stands out.
Its highlight is that it features Shammi (Shyam Kumar/Sam) dangling from a helicopter and dancing on a jet ski.
Filled with breathtaking aerial shots and fast cuts, ‘Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta’ was a number that was selected by Shammi himself for the film.
The actor reveals how he performed in the song so brilliantly, admitting he drank brandy to overcome his fear of heights.
He reminisces: “I didn’t sleep the whole night and was just thinking, ‘What am I going to do?’
“I went to St George’s hotel at 7 am in the morning when nobody was there.
“He got me out a bottle of cognac. I drank two large pegs of cognac.
“And then I said, ‘Get me the helicopter, baby!’
“I couldn’t even hear the sound – I couldn’t possibly because the helicopter was making so much noise and they were down there.
“What I did was I made Shakti [Samanta] – our director – just flag me his handkerchief to the beat and I synced to that moment.
“The brandy helped me combat the height and my sense of music helped me with the song.”
Shammi Kapoor’s ingenuity is evident in ‘Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta’ and the fascinating result is there for all to see.
Aaj Kal Tere Mere – Brahmachari (1968)
Shammi Kapoor is often compared to rock legend Elvis Presley in the way he moves his legs confidently and presents his hand gesticulations.
Remnants of this comparison are visible in ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere’ from the masterpiece Brahmachari.
Interestingly, this song was allegedly written for Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961).
However, lead star Dev Anand rejected it from the album.
The song shows Shammi like you’ve never seen him before. There is a tactile closeness between him and his co-star Mumtaz.
Shammi’s boisterous energy in the dance sequence is palpable and infectious.
In Mumtaz, he finds a worthy dance opponent as the veteran actress gives Shammi a run for his money.
This song is arguably one of Shammi’s most famous sequences. Its longevity is significant.
In 2024, over 50 years since its initial release, the song played at the pre-wedding party of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani.
The couple swayed to the chartbuster, signifying its effect on younger generations.
That effect would not have been possible without Shammi’s contagious energy.
It is no wonder that Shammi won the 1969 Filmfare ‘Best Actor’ gong for Brahmachari.
His work in ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere’ had a massive role to play in that victory.
Saat Saheliya – Vidhaata (1982)
From Shammi’s days as a leading man, we come to his second innings as a talented character actor.
One of his most famous later films is Subhash Ghai’s Vidhaata, which contains the number ‘Saat Saheliya’.
As Kishore Kumar takes the baton from Mohammad Rafi as Shammi’s voice, Shammi is the main focus of the song.
The song also features a charming Sanjay Dutt (Kunal Singh) and a sexy Padmini Kolhapure (Durga).
However, it is Shammi (Gurbaksh Singh) who takes the cake as he swings and sways to the groove of the song.
Admittedly, the actor is heavier, but his increased weight doesn’t stop him from putting on a magnificent show.
For that, ‘Saat Saheliya’ is iconic and at a length of over eight minutes, complacency is non-existent in Shammi’s act.
Shammi Kapoor is undoubtedly one of Bollywood’s most rigorous dancers.
His energy is unparalleled, as underlined in his nephew Rishi Kapoor’s autobiography Khullam Khulla (2017):
“[Shammi] had such flamboyance; it was exhilarating. Shammi uncle had this unbeatable aura.
“One that we were totally in awe of as children.”
This aura is as clear as a summer sky in these dance sequences, where Shammi Kapoor shimmers as a star like no other.
So, if you’re a dancer too, go ahead and watch these songs.
You will be learning from the very best!
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