Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has directed many films that have received immense love from the audience, including ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Love Aaj Kal’, ‘Rockstar’, ‘Tamasha’, ‘Highway’, and ‘Chamkila’. It’s often said that people understand his films better over time. One film that showcased his brilliance from the start, though, was ‘Rockstar’.
A Legendary Appearance
Everyone was stunned by Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in ‘Rockstar’, which marked a departure from his usual romantic roles. He didn’t disappoint, and almost every actor in the film delivered an impressive performance. But what caught everyone off guard was the surprise appearance of the late legend, Shammi Kapoor. His fans were thrilled to see him on screen after a long time, playing the role of Ustad Jamil Khan.
Shammi Kapoor also shared a memorable jugalbandi scene with his grandson, Ranbir Kapoor. However, the shoot wasn’t easy for him. In an interview, director Imtiaz Ali revealed that Shammi Kapoor was very ill during the filming of ‘Rockstar’ and was in a lot of pain. Despite his limited scenes in the film, Imtiaz had no regrets. “No, I have no sorry for his scenes being reduced because I think the balance is sitting right. And I knew what pain he was going through while shooting one scene on the set,” he said.
Overcoming Pain
Imtiaz shared that Shammi Kapoor would often come directly from the hospital to the set. There was a scene where he had to speak a dialogue, but his pain made it difficult to get the shot. Imtiaz recalled, “I knew that he came directly from the hospital on the set and how much pain he was in. But there was a shot from which I was not happy as a director because I saw a lot of pain on his face, which I did not want.”
Imtiaz approached Shammi Kapoor and told him that the shot was good but the pain on his face was visible. Shammi Kapoor took a moment, composed himself, and then delivered the shot without showing any pain. This incident showcased the dedication and hard work that actors put into their craft. Imtiaz was happy that Shammi Kapoor had limited but impactful scenes in the film, all of which were with Ranbir Kapoor.
The Legacy of ‘Rockstar’
‘Rockstar’ was the last film that the late Shammi Kapoor worked on, and it was released on November 11, 2011, just a few months after his passing on August 14, 2011. The film tells the story of Jordan, a boy who wants to make it big in singing despite his family’s disapproval. As he gains popularity and falls in love, Jordan’s life changes, and the film follows his journey to becoming a rockstar.