The 79-year-old legend, who was often compared to Elvis Presley due to his looks, was in the ICU of Breach Candy Hospital and breathed his last on Sunday morning. For the last few years, he was undergoing dialysis for three days a week.

Born Shamsher Raj Kapoor on October 21, 1931, Kapoor was the middle son of veteran theatre and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor and younger brother of showman Raj Kapoor.

Despite his family background, Shammi's entry into Bollywood was initially not successful even though he worked with major heroines like Madhubala in Rail ka dibba, Suraiya in Shama Parwana and Nalini Jaywant in Hum Sab Chor Hai.

Shammi heralded the swinging 60s and a large part of his appeal was primarily due to the immensely catchy and upbeat numbers like "Suku Suku","O Haseena Zulfo wali", "Aaj kal tere mere pyar ke charche", "Aaja Aaja Main hoon Pyar tera" where he was at his boisterous best.