Many love stories started in the golden world of Bollywood – some came to fruition, and some remained incomplete. One such heart-touching story is that of the famous 60s actress Mumtaz and rock and roll hero Shammi Kapoor.
Mumtaz was new to the film industry in the 1960s. She won the hearts of the audience in the superhit song “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche” from the film Brahmachari.
It was during this film that he met Shammi Kapoor, and in the very first meeting, both of their hearts started beating for each other. Love blossomed and Shammi Kapoor proposed Mumtaz for marriage. But alas, this relationship could not reach marriage.
An innocent love started on the sets of ‘Brahmachari’
Shammi Kapoor’s father Prithviraj Kapoor was the head of the Kapoor family and followed a strict rule — the daughters-in-law of the house would never work. This was the period when Mumtaz had just entered Bollywood. Her beauty, acting and bubbly smile started winning the hearts of the audience.
At the same time, she got a chance to work in the hit song “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche” from the film Brahmachari starring Shammi Kapoor.
Their chemistry was sizzling on screen, but in real life too, their hearts started beating for each other. The series of meetings on the set increased and soon Shammi Kapoor fell in love with Mumtaz.
He immediately proposed to Mumtaz – it would have been a dream for any budding actress to have such a big superstar ask her to marry him!
Mumtaz was also deeply in love with Shammi Kapoor, but despite this, she had to reject the proposal with a heavy heart.
‘Mera Naam Joker’ and unfulfilled dreams
Raj Kapoor was casting for his ambitious film Mera Naam Joker. He had chosen a foreign actress for a role, but before that he had seen pictures of Mumtaz.
Mumtaz was very young at that time and was looking very beautiful.
Raj Kapoor asked Shammi Kapoor, “Shammi, are you getting married?”
Shammi Kapoor replied, “I don’t know, it depends.” Because Shammi was also waiting for Mumtaz’s decision at that time.
Raj Kapoor then told Mumtaz that he could not cast her in his film, as this was the rule of his house.
Mumtaz’s honor and personal life
Mumtaz always accepted that this rule of the Kapoor family was absolutely right in its place. She never blamed him, as she knew very well that this was the tradition in their house.
During that period, even famous actresses like Geeta Bali had to leave her film career after marriage.
Mumtaz respected the rule made by Prithviraj Kapoor and believed that at that time there were many families who were against their wives working.
Shammi Kapoor’s first marriage was to actress Geeta Bali, who died in 1965. After this he married Neela Devi in 1969.
Mumtaz also married businessman Mayur Madhvani in 1974 and started a new life.
Shammi Kapoor’s last birthday party and tears in Mumtaz’s eyes
Mumtaz was invited to Shammi Kapoor’s last birthday by his wife. When Mumtaz reached there, she saw Shammi sitting on a chair – weak in body, but still holding the glass of wine in his hand.
Mumtaz asked with surprise, “You are ill, still drinking?”
Shammi replied smilingly, “Now that I don’t have to live much, I have to have fun.”
In that answer, both his outlook towards life and the pain hidden inside were reflected.
Mumtaz sat quietly beside him, spent a few moments and returned with a heavy heart. The memory of that meeting shook him to the core.
an incomplete but true love
The story of Mumtaz and Shammi Kapoor was a love of that time, which was true but could not be perfect.
The blossoming love between two people is stopped only by a family tradition—a rule that they both respect, but which comes at a heartbreaking cost.