Did you known Shammi Kapoor once tricked his elder brother Raj Kapoor over a song, sparking a heated clash between the two. Here’s everything you need to know.
Published: September 10, 2025 4:34 PM IST
The bond between the Kapoor brothers, Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor has always been a discussion among fans. Raj Kapoor, the legendary “Showman of Bollywood,” was known for his soulful, emotional storytelling, while Shammi Kapoor carved his own identity as an energetic star with his famous “Yahoo” style. Both delivered unforgettable films in the 1960s. However, did you know there was once an incident that tested their brotherhood? At a party, Shammi Kapoor cleverly tricked his elder brother Raj Kapoor, leaving the showman fuming with rage.
When Raj Kapoor got tricked by Shammi Kapoor?
In 1960, Raj Kapoor was engaged in his project Sangam, while Shammi Kapoor was busy with Junglee. Both films had music composed by the duo Shankar-Jaikishan, with lyrics penned by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. Raj Kapoor was known to be extremely strict and perfection-driven when it came to music. He often hosted grand parties at his home, filled with stars, musicians, and an endless stream of melodies.
At one such gathering, Raj Kapoor was heavily intoxicated. Music was flowing, and he wanted to hear songs from his lyricist, Hasrat Jaipuri. The challenge was that both Sangam and Junglee needed love songs where a lover pours out his heart to his beloved.
Hasrat began reciting his songs. The first was “Yeh Mera Prem Patra”, which Raj Kapoor, lost in drink, couldn’t fully absorb. Then came the second “Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar”. Shammi Kapoor immediately fell in love with the song and feared his elder brother might claim it for Sangam.
Acting quickly, he asked Hasrat to keep it from Raj. Hasrat stayed quiet, and the result was that Prem Patra went to Sangam while Ehsaan Tera became the soul of Junglee.
When Raj Kapoor came to know about Shammi Kapoor’s mischievous play
The next morning, Raj Kapoor discovered Shammi’s little trick. He felt deeply insulted, convinced his younger brother had mocked him in front of everyone. Furious, he even stopped inviting Shammi to his musical gatherings for a while. However, time healed the wounds. The elder brother’s anger eventually softened, and the two reconciled, leaving the bitter episode behind.
Story Highlights
- Raj Kapoor, known as a perfectionist in music, was working on Sangam while Shammi Kapoor was busy with Junglee in 1960.
- At a party, a drunk Raj Kapoor asked lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri to sing love songs written for both films.
- Shammi, impressed by “Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar”, quickly stopped Hasrat from sharing it with Raj, ensuring the song went into Junglee.
- When Raj learned about this trick, he was furious with Shammi, but the brothers later reconciled and moved past the incident.
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