Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz were among the most popular on-screen couples in the late ’60s and shared a good friendship behind the scenes. The actress was known for her grace, charisma, and memorable roles, while Shammi was the heartthrob of that golden era. Known for his charm, energy, and flamboyant nature, he was one of the actors who was keen to work with the Ram Aur Shyam actress after she rose to fame. Gradually, the friendship turned into love, and they were about to enter a marital alliance, but Mumtaz refused to do it. Later, the two actors found the love of their lives and went their separate ways. However, in a recent interview, the veteran actress revealed that she met Shammi during his last days, and his words make her emotional to date.
Mumtaz recalls her last meeting with Shammi Kapoor
Mumtaz recently sat down for an interview with Radio Nasha where she recalled her last meeting with the actor. During the interview, the actress was asked about how she fell in love with Shammi Kapoor off-screen. In turn, Mumtaz simply stated that he was the most good-looking man then, and no girl, including her, could deny that. In her words:
“Shammi Kapoor was so good-looking that no girl could resist crushing on him. Wasn’t he the most good-looking man?”
The actress went to recall her meeting with Shammi Kapoor during his final days and revealed that his then-wife had invited her to his last birthday as per his wish. Mumtaz, who was then in Bandra, went with Ameesha Patel’s mom, Asha Patel, to the party, where she saw him sitting on a chair and drinking. The Prem Kahani actress got teary-eyed and recounted that she asked Shammi why he was drinking when his health wasn’t good, and he responded by saying that he was about to die soon. Consequently, she simply let him continue and asked him to take care of himself. Sharing the incident, Mumtaz said:
“When I saw him sitting on a chair, and he was still drinking… from far away, I asked him, ‘Why are you drinking when you are not well?’ That was the moment I came to know that he said he wouldn’t live for long.”
Mumtaz reveals she couldn’t marry Shammi Kapoor due to an age-old custom in his family
Mumtaz and Shammi Kapoor reportedly came closer while shooting for their film, Brahmachari. In an old interview with Vicky Lalwani, the actress admitted that Shammi was a charming man who had proposed to her for marriage. She liked him and their 17-18 year age gap wasn’t an issue for her. However, the late actor’s brother had put up the condition that the women in their family couldn’t work and Mumtaz would have to give up her career. However, the actress, who was ambitious at that time, refused to comply. Mumtaz shared:
“Shammi Kapoor was a very good-looking man, and I liked him. There is nothing to hide, nothing to deny. There was a 17 to 18-year difference between us, but I didn’t care. I wanted to marry him… But Papa ji (Raj Kapoor) was very strict in those days. There was a rule till he was alive, that ghar ki bahu kaam nahi karegi. It was as straightforward as that.”
More about Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz’s personal life
Although, Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz couldn’t marry each other, they found the love of their lives in different directions. Shammi married actress, Geeta Bali in 1955 after falling in love with her during the shoot of their film, Rangeen Raaten. They tied the knot four months later at Banganga Temple, near Malabar Hill in Mumbai. They welcomed a son, Aditya Raj Kapoor, in 1956 and, later, a daughter, Kanchan, in 1961. However, she died due to smallpox in 1965. The actor later tied the knot with Neila Devi Gohil, a princess of the Gohil dynasty of Bhavnagar State, in 1969. On the other hand, Mumtaz married businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974. They have two daughters.
What do you think about Mumtaz’s revelations about her last meeting with Shammi Kapoor?
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