Shammi Kapoor's Post-Junglee Ego Led to Biswajeet Replacing Him in 'April Fool,' Director Reveals

Veteran filmmaker Samir Ganguly recently opened up about Shammi Kapoor’s attitude after the blockbuster success of Junglee (1961). He revealed that the actor became “egoistic” and demanded eight times his fee for the next project, which ultimately led to him being replaced.According to Ganguly, Subodh Mukerji had written a film, Bluff Master, based on a story by Mr. Kalelkar, keeping Shammi Kapoor in mind. “He had filled Shammi Kapoor’s character completely. And I had more friendship with Shammi Kapoor, so he said, go and talk to him. But after Junglee, Shammi Kapoor was completely filled with ego. The first thing he said to me was, I won’t work unless they pay me eight times,” Ganguly shared in a chat with Shemaroo Lifestyle.The filmmaker said that Subodh Mukerji, too, was egoistic and did not take the demand well. “He said, ‘Shammi Kapoor ki aisi taisi’ and signed Biswajeet. Biswajeet was coming up at that time. He made April Fool with them.”Recalling the making of April Fool, Ganguly said, “We made it in a very good way. We got swimmers from Germany, lady swimmers, so we had synchronized swimming in the song, underwater shots. We worked very hard. But the second picture didn’t work. Saira Banu and Biswajeet’s pair, people didn’t like it.”Junglee (1961), directed by Subodh Mukerji, was a turning point for Shammi Kapoor. Starring opposite debutante Saira Banu, the film established him as the ultimate romantic, dancing star of the 1960s. His iconic “Yahoo!” became a cultural catchphrase, while the film’s energetic style and Shankar-Jaikishan’s hit soundtrack cemented his popularity.