Friday Flashback: When Aamir Khan called Elvis Presley as ‘Shammi Kapoor of America’

Responding to the description of Aamir Khan, Shammi Kapoor had revealed that he had no dreams of being known as a great artiste.

Belonging to the legendary Kapoor family, Shammi Kapoor decided to take up acting like his brother Raj Kapoor. While he was a part of some of the most popular commercial potboilers during the 60s, the actor was known for his peppy dance numbers and steps. Many of them believed that the Teesri Manzil actor was Elvis Presley of India. However, during one of his interactions with the media, Aamir Khan had modified the description a little.

Friday Flashback: When Aamir Khan called Elvis Presley as ‘Shammi Kapoor of America’

In 2008, when Aamir Khan was speaking at an event that honoured the achievements of Shammi Kapoor, he had described the legendary actor saying that he isn’t the Elvis Presley of America but Elvis is the Shammi Kapoor of India. Responding to the same, later in a Filmfare interview, Shammi Kapoor had added, “I liked that. Everyone has his own style. One sees a lot of paintings — you like some shades and get inspired by them. It doesn’t mean that you have stolen them… I have no dreams of being known as a great artiste. I have not done the Devdas of my life. But yes, I believe I could give good expression to the songs I was given. I am proud of that.”

Shammi Kapoor started his career with Jeewan Jyoti in 1953 but his claim to fame was the film Tumsa Nahi Dekha which released four years later in 1957. His popular films included Dil Deke Dekho, Junglee, Teesri Manzil, Kashmir Ki Kali, Professor, Brahmachari, An Evening in Paris, among others. After playing the leading man in Andaz in 1971, Shammi switched to supporting characters in films. The actor received his Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Brahmachari in 1967 and later for Supporting Actor in Vidhata (1982). He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.