The Kapoor clan came together last week for a very special get-together, hosted by Krishna Raj Kapoor, in memory of Shammi Kapoor.
“Shammi uncle used to love food. He used to come by to my mother’s place for one of her special meals whenever he could. So my mother suggested we get together to eat, and recollect Shammi uncle’s memory in a good way,” said Rishi Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor’s nephew.
The late legend’s favourite food was served and the entire family sang and Shammi’s songs.
Shammi Kapoor died Aug 14 after battling illness for years. He was 79.
“Shammi uncle must be having such a ball in heaven with my father (Raj Kapoor) there. Shankar-Jaikishan, O.P. Nayyar and Mohammad Rafi must be making fabulous music up there with him. Let’s face it. Shammi uncle lived life king-size. He had a great glorious innings. He lived life on his own terms.
“Even when on dialysis he would enjoy those days of the week when he didn’t have to be in hospital. He would go on long drives, eat his favourite food and sing his favourite songs. He would’ve been 80 in a few months. But the pain was unbearable now. He went when he had to,” said Rishi Kapoor.
“Shammi Uncle was ailing. Death was a relief to him. Itna zinda dil aadmi tha. Here was man who said, ‘Three days are set aside for my survival by dialysis. The other four days are for living.’ I’ve seen how alive he was. To see a man of his stature reduced to a life on wheelchair…and he was in so much pain.”
— By Subhash K Jha
