Yesteryear actor, Shammi Kapoor was one of the greatest actors of his generation. However, his personal life was no less than a roller coaster ride. Apart from dating several actresses, Shammi had tied the knot with legendary actress, Geeta Bali. Everything was going well until Geeta left the mortal planes in 1965 due to smallpox. The loss devasted Shammi, and it took him a long time to regain confidence. Afterwards, on June 27, 1969, Shammi tied the knot with Neila Devi in a hush-hush wedding at his house, Nepean Sea Road. Now, Neila opened up about her sudden wedding with Shammi, which happened the next day after she spoke to him over the phone.
In an interview with the ETimes, Shammi Kapoor's second wife, Neila Devi revealed that Raj Kapoor's wife, Krishna Raj Kapoor introduced her to the former actor. Afterwards, during Raj and Krishna's daughter, Ritu Nanda's wedding, Shammi called her for the first time. However, initially, Neila's sister hung up the call. Elaborating the same, Neila said:
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"Raj Kapoor ji's wife Krishna ji was very fond of me. I used to hang out a lot with her daughter Ritu Nanda. She suggested to Shammi ji that he should get married to me. Now, interestingly, Ritu Nanda's marriage was just round the corner. And suddenly, one night Shammi ji called. My sister hung up on him saying that it was too late to call at that hour. But he again called and insisted that he wanted to talk to me."
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Further, Neila mentioned that it was only after Shammi's pleading that she talked to him. They spoke for 4 to 5 hours and discussed various matters of life. Then, Shammi instantly proposed and asked her for marriage the following day. But she mentioned that she would marry only in the presence of her parents. She added:
"He not only proposed marriage during that call, but revealed almost everything about himself- his school, girlfriends, marriage to Geeta Bali, kids. We spoke for 4 to 5 hours. Of course, he asked me about myself too. He said that he would come home the next day and take me to Banganga and we'd get married there. I told him 'hamare yahan aise nahin hota'. He said that I should speak to my brother and he would understand. However, I insisted to Shammi ji that our parents should be present at the marriage. Shammi ji said that he was okay with that and we should get married at his house only."
In the same conversation, Neila Devi revealed how, upon hearing about Shammi's decision to marry her, his father, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, made sure he didn't fool her. However, Shammi revealed his wish to settle down once again in his life. She stated:
"When Krishna ji learnt about our shaadi, she started jumping with joy. My father-in-law (Prithvi Raj Kapoor) took Shammi ji aside and made sure that he was serious about me and told him that I wasn't someone with whom he should think of fooling around. Shammi ji categorically told him that he was serious about me and he wanted to settle down in life, once again. The very next day after his call to me, June 27, 1969, we got married. Shashi ji (Shashi Kapoor) wasn't in Mumbai. FC Mehra, Pramod Chakraborty and many producers attended."
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Neila Devi also opened up about how Shammi Kapoor and Geeta Bali's kids, Aditya Kapoor and Kanchan Kapoor accepted her as their second mother. Neila mentioned that Aditya started calling her 'mummy', soon after her wedding with Shammi. However, for Kanchan, it took some time. It was only when Neila gave Kanchan her biological mother's ring that she started feeling good about her stepmom. Neila shared:
"After the shaadi, Shammi ji called his kids (Aditya and Kanchan) and had a word with them. And before that, he asked me what I would like them to address me as. I told him that I am okay with anything that is comfortable with them. They (Aditya and Kanchan) started calling me Mummy only. Aditya opened up faster. Kanchan used to look at me a bit apprehensively. The third day, Shammi ji gave me Geeta Bali's ring which I gave to Kanchan; she felt quite nice about that. The ice was melting. It took a little time alright, but not really much."
At the end of the conversation, Neila Devi was asked about her biggest sacrifice when she decided not to have her own kids. She was also quizzed if it was her own decision. To this, she mentioned that it was indeed her decision, and she has no regrets. Moreover, having four granddaughters in her life is blissful for her. She concluded:
"100 per cent, it was my decision. Shammi had once said that he would be very happy if he would see Kanchan and Aditya in my lap. And, I achieved that. God has been kind. I have four granddaughters. I have seen them grow up in front of my eyes. They are just one phone call away."
What do you think about Shammi Kapoor's wife Neila Devi's revelations? Let us know!
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