Most people probably don’t know that Shammi Kapoor’s most famous song,a song that has probably immortalised him, “yahoo—–koi mujhe junglee kahe—-yahoo !â€, was not picturised in Kashmir but on the snowy slopes of Kufri, a ski resort close to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.
It remains one of hindi cinema’s most energetic and passionate songs and could not have been sung(acted) better by anyone but the inimitable Shammi.The playback song was sung by Mohammad Rafi.
Shammi Kapoor who passed away Sunday in Mumbai, in a recent interview had talked about going to Gulmarg in Kashmir with the entire film unit of Junglee but there was very little snow in the valley that year.
“So the unit moved to Kufri and there was so much snow here and we shot the yahoo song here,,†Shammi said in a recent interview.
The entire yahoo song was shot here with Shammi yelling like a madman and the pretty and dainty Saira Banu by his side. Both rolling and diving liberally on the snowy slopes of Kufri, even though in the film it was shown as Kashmir.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
Yes! Also “JUNGLEE| in 1961 started the trend of Eastman Colour Films…The restless entertainer shall rest in peace now.
shammi kapoorji was my favourite actor i lov his acting may god bless him and his soul rest in peace
A great actor and a heartthrob of millions. Yahoo song was not shot in Kashmir will diminish some nostalgia sentiment !