Why Shammi Kapoor Doubled His Fee When He Saw Dharmendra

Shammi Kapoor, a legendary Hindi cinema actor, remains a fan favorite even today, with audiences dancing along to his songs whenever his films air on TV. October 21 marks the birth anniversary of the iconic Kashmir Ki Kali actor. Today, we’ll revisit an interesting story involving Shammi Kapoor and Dharmendra—an incident where Kapoor decided to increase his fees significantly after meeting "He-Man" Dharmendra.

Highlights

• Dharmendra faced unexpected consequences when bargaining with Shammi Kapoor
• October 21 marks Shammi Kapoor’s birth anniversary
• Dharmendra was speechless in front of Kapoor

Early Memories: Becoming a Fan of Shammi Kapoor

The evergreen Junglee song "Yahoo... Chahe koi mujhe junglee kahe" captured Shammi Kapoor’s fun, charismatic style, which still stirs the audience's hearts. As a romantic lead and later in character roles, Kapoor created unforgettable performances that seemed tailored just for him.

I first worked with Shammi Kapoor in a director role for the film Biwi-O-Biwi. His appearance in a chase sequence for the climax featured his hit song Junglee. Although I only worked with him briefly, his talent and personality left such a lasting impression that, when it came time to cast for Betaab, Shammi Kapoor was the first name that came to mind.

Dharmendra’s Bargain Backfires

When I directed Betaab, Dharmendra produced the film, though his brother-in-law Vikramjit managed the finances. I discussed the role with Shammi, who asked for a fee of three lakh rupees. When I told Vikramjit, he thought it was high and decided to ask Dharmendra to negotiate for a lower amount.

After some hesitation, Dharmendra agreed. He met Shammi Kapoor, discussed the film, and finally asked about the fee. To everyone’s surprise, Shammi Kapoor replied, “Son, I’ll take five lakh rupees.” As everyone processed the increased fee, Shammi humorously explained that the additional two lakh rupees were a “penalty” for trying to bargain. Dharmendra agreed without question, recognizing Kapoor’s worth and artistic stature. Shammi Kapoor disliked haggling over his fee but had a witty way of conveying his value.

A Special Bond with Kashmir

The Betaab shoot took place in Kashmir, where Shammi Kapoor shared a deep connection with both the region and its people. From Kashmir Ki Kali to Betaab, he had shot so many films there that locals regarded him as part of their community. After Betaab, I returned to Kashmir for Love Story, and people asked why Shammi Kapoor wasn’t with me.

Everyone from the Shikara boat operators to the Dal Lake shopkeepers inquired about him, recounting tales of his generosity. Shammi Kapoor would stay at Oberoi Hotels’ Lake Palace Hotel in Srinagar, and as he left, the hotel staff would gather to bid him farewell. He would have people by his side with bundles of cash, distributing tips to staff with both hands—a display of his royal, generous spirit. This wasn’t unique to Kashmir; he brought the same warmth wherever he filmed.

A Food Enthusiast with a Flair for Hosting

Kapoor loved discovering local cuisine wherever he worked. At every location, he sought out the best restaurants and their signature dishes. Like other members of the Kapoor family, he had a passion for food and enjoyed throwing feasts for the cast and crew. When filming in Kashmir, he even hosted Wazwan feasts on Shikaras—serving up a traditional Kashmiri banquet with dozens of dishes. During Betaab, Shammi hosted one of these memorable feasts, sampling and savoring each dish with joy.

A Surprise Marriage That Shocked Everyone

After his first wife, Geeta Dutt, passed away, Shammi Kapoor became quieter, especially as his children were still young. It was during this time that Neela Devi entered his life and brightened it again. The two surprised everyone by marrying during the wedding celebrations for Raj Kapoor’s daughter, Ritu. Ritu’s friend Neela became her aunt overnight, and as Shammi Kapoor’s wife, she embraced her new role with grace.

Never One to Slow Down

Shammi Kapoor’s zest for life remained intact through every chapter. Even when his health deteriorated and he was confined to a wheelchair for a time, he didn’t let it slow him down. The day he was discharged, he set aside the wheelchair, sat in the driver’s seat of his brand-new Mercedes, and drove himself home. He once shared his philosophy: "The moment you accept that you can't do something, you’ve stopped living. As long as I’m alive, I’ll live life to the fullest." This outlook defined his life and legacy.