Bollywood Actresses Who Debut Opposite Shammi Kapoor

Asha Parekh in ‘Yaar Chulbula Hai’ song from Dil Dekhe Dekho

Sharmila Tagore (Kashmir Ki Kali – 1964) – Sharmila Tagore started her film journey in 1959 through Bengali movies, and made her Bollywood debut through Kashmir Ki Kali opposite 1964. The film is still remembered for its golden melodies composed by O. P. Nayyar. Though she debut Bollywood in a traditional Kashmiri girl role, she later earned the name of sex symbol, that too through a Shammi Kapoor movie – An Evening in Paris. Needless to say, Sharmila Tagore is one among those Bollywood heroines who made a successful debut opposite Shammi, and later went on to become a star. 

Sharmila Tagore and Shammi Kapoor in ‘Deewana Hua Badal’ song

Saira Banu (Junglee – 1961) – The movie marked the acting debut of cute actress Saira Banu, who later went on to become a big star of Bollywood. Junglee also established Shammi Kapoor as a leading romantic hero of Bollywood after a long struggling period of almost one decade. The ‘Yahoo star’ image that he achieved through this film, he retained throughout his career for more than a decade. For all movies where debut heroines were benefited most to play a lead role opposite Shammi, Junglee is that single movie where Shammi Kapoor got benefited most, throughout his acting career though he worked opposite a new heroine. They later worked together in Bluff Master too. Interestingly Shammi Kapoor later played Saira Banu’s father in Zameer. 

Yahoo song from Junglee

Kalpana Mohan (Professor – 1962) – Kalpana made her Bollywood debut through Professor in 1962, and this movie was a box office hit. Its music by Shankar Jaikishen was also well received by music fans. She was also paired opposite Kishore Kumar the same year for the movie, Naughty Boy. Though she owned a handful of hits such as Professor, Teen Devian and Pyar Kiye Jaa, she took retirement from the industry in 1967 following her marriage to a naval officer. She is perhaps the only debut heroine of Shammi Kapoor who couldn’t make it big at Bollywood, despite having a magic debut in the industry.

Chand Usmani (Jeevan Jyoti – 1953) – Shammi Kapoor marked his screen debut with 1953 film Jeevan Jyoti, which is also the first film of Chand Usmani. The movie was a flop at box office. Started her career in a lead role, she later moved to supporting roles and won Filmfare award for best supporting actress for 1970 movie, Pehchaan. 

As far as I know, only these five actresses started their Bollywood careers opposite Shammi Kapoor. Except Kalpana Mohan and Chand Usmani, the rest three went on to become big stars of Bollywood. Needless to say, Sharmila Tagore, Saira Banu and Asha Parekh remained among the top 5 Bollywood heroines of 1960s, and their entry to films opposite Shammi Kapoor proved lucky to them. Also their debut films, all released in the first half of 1960s were huge box office hits, and always regarded among top movies of Shammi Kapoor. Same was the case of Kalpana’s debut movie, Professor, released in the first half of 1960s, which was a huge hit. But Kalpana couldn’t make it big in Bollywood. Shammi ji never hesitated to work with newcomers, and the above listed movies is a testimony to prove it. With early 1970s, Shammi Kapoor moved to character roles, and Andaaz was his last solo hit film in a lead role. 

Read a few more articles about Yahoo star of Bollywood – Shammi Kapoor. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.