Following in Raj Kapoor’s family tradition, Shammi Kapoor also had a fondness for alcohol and cigarettes. He drank every day, and not a single night passed without alcohol.
As cheerful and fun-loving as he appeared on screen, he was considered equally short-tempered and stubborn in real life. However, a turning point in his life completely transformed him after he came into contact with a mysterious yogi, Haidakhan Baba.
The First Meeting with Haidakhan Baba
In 1974, Shammi Kapoor’s wife’s family invited Haidakhan Baba to their home. Shammi himself wasn’t interested in meeting him, busy shooting films, but he came under pressure from his family. Initially, he simply sat in a corner, taking Baba’s photographs, but then he realized Baba’s gaze was fixed on him, and something changed within him at that very moment.
Pic: Shammi with Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor; in the second picture, Shammi after embracing spirituality
Visit to the Ashram and the Amazing Transformation
After this mystical experience, Shammi went to Baba’s ashram in Nainital. He had brought along a full supply of alcohol, non-vegetarian food, and music; he felt he couldn’t pass a day without these things. But when he arrived at the ashram, Baba smiled and said, “Mahatma ji, you have come!” This single sentence touched Shammi’s heart. For 12 days at the ashram, he neither touched alcohol nor ate non-vegetarian food, and he didn’t feel the need for them. The serene atmosphere of the ashram and Baba’s presence transformed his life. Gradually, he gave up alcohol and cigarettes and turned completely to spirituality.
Neela Devi on Shammi’s Transformation
Shammi Kapoor’s wife, Neela Devi, says, “Guru ji never forced anything on Shammi ji. He joined that path on his own. He started going on trips with Baba and started doing sadhana.” She further said that Shammi never wanted to play character roles initially, but under Baba’s influence, he became humble and started accepting supporting roles in films.
There was a time when he used to smoke 100 cigarettes every day. But gradually he gave up that too. He created a website dedicated to Haidakhan Baba and kept sharing his experiences in programs like ‘Shammi Kapoor Unplugged.’