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News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Did You Know Shammi Kapoor Was One Of The First Internet Users In India?
Shammi Kapoor was the founder and chairman of the Internet Users Community of India (IUCI). Shammi Kapoor, regarded as one of the finest and most celebrated actors in Indian cinema, passed away on August 14, 2011. While he is widely remembered for his magnetic screen presence, remarkable acting, and energetic dance moves, few know that he was also a passionate tech enthusiast. The second of three sons of Prithviraj Kapoor, he was among the first Internet users in India. The late actor was using the Internet even before it officially arrived in India in the 1990s. According to a report by MensXP, Shammi Kapoor had obtained a connection through Steve Jobs' Apple Inc. In his 50s at the time, the legendary actor began exploring the World Wide Web. In an interview, the Tumsa Nahi Dekha star shared, 'I discovered the Internet before you got Internet in India. You got it in 1995… VSNL. I took it up as a hobby. I am on Apple, and they gave us a website called eWorld." He added, 'The British telecom gave us a line through VSNL, even though VSNL was not available at that time (1994). That was an eye-opener…something completely new. And by the time the Internet came to India, we were already the first marchers. Already sab kuch dekh liya tha (I had already seen everything)." In the 1990s, Shammi Kapoor purchased an Apple Macintosh Classic desktop and applied for an international dial-up connection. One of his earliest Internet projects was a website dedicated to the Kapoor family tree, one of Bollywood's largest and most prominent film dynasties. With the URL The Kapoor Family Website by Shammi Kapoor is still accessible today, retaining its original design created by the actor himself. It has not been redesigned or updated with the latest family information, but it continues to feature rare photographs of the Junglee star from film sets, along with details about the Kapoor family, starting from his father, Prithviraj Kapoor, to his nephew, Rishi Kapoor. Shammi Kapoor Helped Establish Many Internet-Related Organisations Moreover, he did not just create a website for his family tree, but also was the founder and chairman of the Internet Users Community of India (IUCI). The late actor also played a significant role in establishing organisations like the Ethical Hackers Association of India. After retiring from films, Shammi Kapoor focused on computers and the Internet, telling people that they are yet to understand the potential of such advanced technology that would connect people from every nook and corner of the world. Throughout his life, the actor was a Mac person and had little knowledge of Microsoft computers. He had all the necessary gadgets and was also active on Facebook, Twitter and worked on his website. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 08:17 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This Kapoor family's superstar became the internet's GOAT at 70, revolutionising India's digital space 32 years ago, his name was...
If someone told you that one of India's earliest internet pioneers came from the heart of Bollywood, you might raise an eyebrow. But the truth is stranger — and far cooler — than fiction. The year was 1994. While the country was still figuring out computers, a 70-year-old superstar from the Kapoor clan was already surfing the web and introducing India to the digital age. That man was none other than Shammi Kapoor, the original 'junglee' who wasn't just a heartthrob on-screen, but a visionary off-screen. In a time when most people didn't even own personal computers, Shammi Kapoor decided to take the leap. He bought an Apple Macintosh desktop and applied for an international dial-up line — the only way to get online back then. This wasn't just curiosity; it was a calculated step towards embracing a technology that, in his own words, would 'change life forever.' Founding the Internet Users Community of India Shammi wasn't content with just browsing. He founded the Internet Users Community of India and served as its chairman, connecting the handful of internet users across the country. This was the early '90s — a time when the sound of a dial-up modem was as rare as spotting a comet. Shammi turned this niche circle into a movement. The family website was ahead of its time Long before Instagram family albums and Wikipedia bios, Shammi Kapoor built a website dedicated to the entire Kapoor family. It featured profiles, photographs, and personal interests of each family member. And here's the kicker — the site still exists today, a living relic of one man's foresight. The Ethical Hackers Association of India Shammi's passion for tech didn't stop there. He also co-founded the Ethical Hackers Association of India, recognising the need for digital security even in those early days. His goal was simple — prepare India for a future where the internet would touch every part of daily life. At 70, when most people slow down, Shammi Kapoor was accelerating into the unknown, embracing a technology most of his generation couldn't even name. He didn't just predict the internet's rise — he actively built spaces for it to grow in India. That's why, even today, tech circles remember him as India's Internet Guru.
