20 Must Watch Shammi Kapoor Films

So far I have talked Teesri Manzil and Andaz, two of my most favorite Shammi Kapoor films. I as thinking long and hard about what my next post in Shammi Week should be a about. That's when I decided why not make a list of the Top 20 Shammi films?! This is my take on the Top 20 Shammi films to watch.

Out of the 20 films in this list, I remember watching only 5 or 6. Being a Shammi fan, I just have to watch all of the films on this list. (Now that I have a list I know which DVDs to keep an eye out for!)

Andaz - From Shammi Kapoor To Rajesh Khanna

I've talked about Teesri Manzil and the effect that it had on me. Shammi Kapoor was at the top of his game when he starred in Teesri Manzil. He was stylish and flamboyant, unlike the other leading men in 60s Bollywood. Slowly but steadily, time and tragedy took its toll on Shammi Kapoor. By the end of the 60s and early 70s Shammi Kapoor's career as a leading man began to end. New actors like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan emerged, taking the place of of those from the previous generation. It was during this time that Shammi Kapoor starred in Andaz, one of his last movies as a leading man.

I still remember the first time I watched Andaz. At first I did not know that Shammi Kapoor also starred in the movie because Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, the most popular song from the movie, featured Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini. So I assumed that the movie starred just them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Shammi Kapoor was in fact the leading man while Rajesh Khanna just had a guest appearance. Along with Rajesh Khanna, Simi Garewal also had a guest appearance. Most importantly, I really liked the unconventional story in which the main characters were a widow and a widower rather than a playboy and a college girl.

The story is that of a young widow, Sheetal (Hema Malini) and a widower, Ravi (Shammi Kapoor). Sheetal has a young son, Deepu while Ravi has a young daughter, Munni. Both children go the same school where Sheetal teaches. The children become fast friends and play an integral part in bringing their parents together. Just as Sheetal and Ravi begin to fall in love, complications occur. Whether Sheetal and Ravi get over those complication and come together makes up the rest of the story.

Apart from the unconventional story, Andaz also had an excellent soundtrack by Shankar-Jaikishan.

Song 1. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle. This song showcases the relationship between Raj (Rajesh Khanna) and Sheetal. I really like the meaningful lyrics of this particular song.

Song 2. Re Mama Re Mama - Mohd. Rafi. This song highlights the father-daughter relationship between Ravi and Munni. I like the way Ravi goes out of his way to make sure Munni forgives him.

Song 3. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai - Asha Bhosle. Here, Sheetal sings to her son Deepu a song that his father sang to her. I like the way the lyrics are used in this version of the song.

Song 4. Dil Usse Do - Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle. This song highlights the relationship between Sheetal and Ravi. Both Shammi Kapoor and Hema Malini are adorable in this song.

Song 5. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle. Ravi sings to Sheetal, trying to give her strength and reassurance during tough times. I like that Mohd. Rafi sang Shammi Kapoor's portions emphasizing the difference between Ravi and Raj.

Song 6. Mujhe Pyas Aisi Pyas Lagi Hai - Asha Bhosle. This song essentially introduces the audience to Badal (Roopesh Kumar), the villain.

Just as films like Teesri Manzil, for example, showcased an actor at the top of his game, Andaz showcases an actor who was on the brink of passing on the role of the romantic leading man to a younger lot of actors. Even then, Shammi Kapoor still managed to give an excellent performance as a doting father, loving husband and strong companion.

Yaaahhhooooo!!!!!

It's probably obvious to all of you that I am a huge Shammi Kapoor fan. So it only makes sense that I have a post or several posts dedicated to him. I fell deeply in filmi love when I watched him for the first time in Teesri Manzil and from then on I have become a die-hard Shammi Kapoor fan. Shammi Kapoor is mostly known for his fun-loving, romantic characters but he is just as good playing intense characters. Along with his acting and his charming good looks, I love him most when he's dancing!

So these are my Top 30 Shammi Kapoor Songs!

1. Dil Deke Dekho

2. Sar Par Topi Laal

3. Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale

4. Aaja Aaja

5. Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke

6. O Haseena Zulphon Wali

7. Dil Usse Do Jo

8. Deewana Hua Badal

9. Baar Baar Dekho

10. Mujhe Kitna Pyaar

11. Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee

12. Aasman Se Aaya

13. Mere Yaar Shaba Khair

14. Khuli Palak Mein

15. Laal Chadi Maidan Khadi

16. Raat Ke Humsafar

17. Badan Pe Sitare

18. Suku Suku

19. Tumne Mujhe Dekha

20. Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai

21. Dil Ke Jharoke

22. Dil Tera Deewana

23. Yeh Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra

24. Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par

25. Janam Janam

26. Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye

27. Aye Gulbadan

28. Yaar Chulbula Hai

29. Humse Na Pucho

30. Kis Ko Pyar Karon

Enjoy! Yaaahhhoooooo!!!!