The enduring bond between legendary actor Shammi Kapoor and his wife Neila Devi remains one of the most heartwarming chapters in Hindi cinema history. Long before their marriage, Neila Devi admired the actor as a devoted fan. Reflecting on their shared journey, she recently revisited an unforgettable memory from 1968, when she invited her favourite screen idol to her birthday celebration, only for him to miss the gathering entirely.
A Fond Memory Shared with Jatin Sial
Neila Devi recounted this charming anecdote during a conversation with her nephew, actor Jatin Sial, who is the grandson of the iconic Prithviraj Kapoor. While discussing her most memorable birthdays, Jatin asked her to name one that stood out above the rest. Neila Devi immediately recalled that particular day in 1968, laughing at the twist of fate that eventually linked their destinies forever.
She explained that her admiration for Shammi Kapoor had begun in her early childhood, even though she had never met him in person back then. Reflecting on that innocence, Neila Devi said, “I liked Shammi Kapoor very much since childhood, but had never even met him.” That year, her brother had decided to host a birthday party in her honour. When he asked which special guest she would love to see at the party, she did not hesitate for a second and instantly named Shammi Kapoor.
Illness After Returning from Calcutta Prevented the Visit
Eager to surprise his sister, her brother placed a call directly to Shammi Kapoor. At that moment, the actor had just returned from Calcutta, where he had travelled to attend the premiere of his film Brahmachari. The hectic journey took a toll on his health, and he fell ill shortly after coming back. Due to his physical exhaustion and illness, he had to convey his inability to attend the party.
Upon learning that the birthday girl was an ardent admirer of his work, Shammi Kapoor assured her brother that he would certainly find a way to make it up to her, as he wanted to do something truly meaningful for a fan. Looking back at the incident with warm humour, Neila Devi remarked that missing that single party ended up costing the actor a lifetime of making amends once they got married.
Wedding at Mumbai Residence and Shammi Kapoor's Earlier Years
Destiny unfolded rapidly following that missed celebration. Just a few months after the birthday party, Neila Devi and Shammi Kapoor decided to tie the knot. The couple was married on January 27, 1969, at Shammi Kapoor's residence in Mumbai, surrounded by their family members and nearest friends, sealing an extraordinary transition from fan to lifelong partner.
Before his union with Neila Devi, Shammi Kapoor was married to celebrated actress Geeta Bali. Their romance began after meeting on a film set, gradually blossoming into love before they tied the knot in 1955. Together, they had two children, Aditya Raj Kapoor and Kanchan. Tragedy struck the family in January 1965 when Geeta Bali passed away at the tender age of 34 due to smallpox.
Her untimely passing dealt a devastating blow to Shammi Kapoor, leaving him emotionally shattered. At that difficult juncture, he was actively filming the movie Teesri Manzil. Overwhelmed by grief and the sudden loss of his partner, he stepped away from film sets and paused his shooting commitments for a period of time before eventually returning to the screen.
