Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is all set to make a documentary on the life and times of Shammi Kapoor, the iconic actor who passed away in August last year due to chronic renal failure.
The documentary will be the Rang De Basanti director's heartfelt tribute to Shammi, who, to his mind, personified everything Bollywood. "Shammi's was a joyous celebration of life; he was the first dancing star of the industry. Before him, our superstars, including the great triumvirate of Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kapoor and Dev Anand, didn't dance," says Rakeysh emphatically.
Shammi brought with him a sense of positivity and hope that independent India desperately needed at the time; he sounded a wake up call for India's youth, says Rakeysh. "From the pessimism of Guru Dutt's Jinhe naaz hai Hind par woh kahan hain, Shammi took us kicking, screaming, singing and dancing Hum pyar ke toofanon se ghire hain hum kya kare," he explains.
"Shammi's presence was liberating. With him, heroes became boys, and I'm not talking about their age. It was the attitude of exuberance, positivity, wonderment and celebration. From Shammi to Ranbir Kapoor, our heroes continue to be boys to this day," Rakeysh continues.
Apparently, the director's search for Bollywood ended with Shammi while researching his documentary, Bollywood The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. "One evening, I was with Shammi till the wee hours and we talked cinema, both his and mine. I remember he held my hand and told me never to lose sight of my creative vision. I've held on to that," reminisces Rakeysh.
Work on the Shammi documentary is slated to begin after completion of Rakeysh's Bhaag Milkha Bhaag in July. "It's something I need to do for myself more than anyone else," he says on an ending note.
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