Bollywood singers talk about Shammi Kapoor

Contemporary singers talk about the inspirational dancer and his fantastic chemistry with the legendary Rafi

Sonu Nigam
There are too many fabulous songs of Shammiji to think of just one. But at this point in time, when he has left us, Tum mujhe yun bhula na paaoge comes first to my mind.

Rafi saab and Shammiji were so in sync with each other... the voice and the face. Rafi Saab had Shammi Kapoor and Mukeshji had Raj Kapoor... Shah Rukh Khan was becoming one such face for me at one time, but I'd have loved to have a Shammi Kapoor in my life.

Shammiji was a brilliant actor and the sexiest of that time. Another gem of Shammiji was Dil ke jharokhe mein tujhko bithake from Brahmachari. Shammiji would always be a part of Rafi Saab's recordings. He would discuss how he'd act and behave in the song, and that would help Rafi Saab record it accordingly.

Abhijeet Bhattacharya
Although the Mohammed Rafi-Shammi Kapoor combination is memorable, composers back then didn't create music keeping the film or anyone in mind unlike today's times.

There was an exception- Shammijit was the only actor for whom music was specifically composed. Deewana hua baadal from and Aaja aaja from are two of my favourite numbers. It's not easy picking up any one because he had brilliant songs in films like Junglee, An Evening in Paris etc.

The way he sang difficult songs and qawwalis made me wonder why his singing talent was never tapped. His songs are not just evergreen, but eternally modern.

Shweta Pandit
Shammiji inspired my music. He was the only actor to be present for the recordings of his songs, since he'd choreograph his own movements. He was also the only actor to give the longest takes for songs, completing the entire mukhda in one take.

I'm told that in the O haseena track in Teesri Manzil, he performed the song in one take. And no one could pinpoint any flaw in his performance. While it's difficult to pick any one of his songs, Tum ne mujhe dekha is one of my favourites.

Sowmya Raoh
Shammiji was different. He was energetic, flamboyant, handsome. He's just let himself go with the songs. Mention his name and Taareef karun kya uski comes to my mind instantly. The way Shammiji acted and the way Rafi Saab rendered it, took it to a different level alltogether. The way Rafisaab and Shammiji matched was incredible.