When Shammi Kapoor's wife Neila Devi revealed he smoked 100 cigarettes a day: 'He used to drink heavily in those days'
Shammi Kapoor's life was marked by both professional success and personal tragedy. His marriage to Geeta Bali, though short-lived, profoundly shaped him, while his subsequent marriage to Neila Devi brought stability. Neila revealed Shammi's struggles with alcohol and his deep respect for Geeta, observing a yearly abstinence in her memory.
The late
Shammi Kapoor
, one of the most celebrated actors of his time, was known for his charm and screen presence. Though often linked to several leading ladies, he found true love in actress
Geeta Bali
, whom he married.
Tragically, their love story ended abruptly when Geeta passed away in 1965, leaving behind their two children, Aditya and Kanchan. Years later, on June 27, 1969, Shammi quietly tied the knot with Neila Devi in a private ceremony in Mumbai.
Life Behind the Scenes
In an interview with ETimes, Neila Devi opened up about Shammi's fiery temper and his habit of drinking heavily at parties. She shared that he would often react strongly, even over minor incidents like someone accidentally stepping on his toes.
However, she noted that the next day, he would always ask her about what had happened, showing a willingness to reflect on his behavior. Over time, she said, he gradually changed for the better.
Neila revealed that Shammi met Geeta Bali during an emotional rebound from his previous relationship with Nutan. According to her, Geeta deeply understood Shammi and gave him the encouragement he needed to flourish in his career.
Their bond grew on the sets of Rangeen Raaten, eventually leading to a spontaneous late-night wedding at Banganga. Though Geeta didn't accept his proposal immediately, their love blossomed quickly.
Neila also shared that Geeta's vibrant personality and sense of humour played a key role in shaping Shammi into the "Rebel Star." Her untimely death left a lasting impact on him — so much so that he began staying with
Raj Kapoor
and Krishna Kapoor and turned to alcohol heavily to cope with the loss.
Geeta Bali's Lasting Influence on Shammi Kapoor
Neila Devi revealed that Shammi had little restraint when it came to alcohol and cigarettes, often refusing to cut back despite concerns. However, he observed a deeply personal ritual every year — abstaining from alcohol between January 1 and January 21. This period marked the time when Geeta Bali had fallen ill and eventually passed away, and Shammi honoured it in her memory for the rest of his life.
Neila also mentioned that his heavy smoking habit — reportedly up to 100 cigarettes a day — took a serious toll on his health and severely damaged his lungs.
Health Struggles and Emotional Strength in Later Years
Neila recounted that the veteran actor's health began to seriously decline in 2003, leading to a month-long hospitalization at Breach Candy Hospital where he was placed on a ventilator due to severe lung complications. His condition worsened over time, eventually affecting his kidneys and requiring regular dialysis, which increased from once to three times a week. Despite his own suffering, Shammi remained emotionally strong and encouraged Neila to stop worrying and live life fully.
She also admitted that she had been so dependent on him that she didn't even know how to write a cheque, underscoring just how deeply he had managed every aspect of their life together.
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