Nargis had closely worked with the Kapoor family, especially with Raj Kapoor. The duo delivered several blockbusters, including Barsaat (1949), Aah (1953), Shree 420 (1955), and Chori Chori (1956). However, did you know that her family objected her from working with Raj Kapoor in Awaara (1951)? Shammi Kapoor, in an old interview, once revealed that Nargis was so eager to work with Raj on Awaara that she promised Shammi that if things worked out, she would give him a kiss.
Speaking with Quint, Shammi said, “Once I met Nargis ji. I was in school and she was shooting my brother Raj’s film Barsaat. One day I found her in a pensive mood. She wanted to work in Raj bhai’s next film Awaara, but her family was not ready, there were some rumours about them. I told her, keep faith in yourself and God, surely her family would not let go this opportunity as she was on the path of becoming a big star. She told me, ‘If gharwale maan gaye toh I will give you a kiss.’”
However, when the deal came through and Nargis was taken on board of Awaara, the actress backed out from her promise. She felt that Shammi had grown up from a boy to a man and offered to buy him a gift instead of coming through with her promise of a kiss.
“You know, Barsaat became a big hit and Raj Kapoor started his Awaara and Nargis was his heroine. By that time I had finished my school, joined and left college, started working with my father Prithiviraj Kapoor’s drama theatre, company roaming all around the country. By chance, I met Nargisji again in RK studio. She saw me and said ‘I remember my promise, but now you are a grown up man, so ask for something else.’ I said, ‘Gramophone,’” he added.
Awaara went on to become one of the biggest hits of its time, with the film boosting of timeless classics such as Awaara Hoon, Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Kar Ke — both sung by Mukesh — and Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
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