Shaminder: The Actor Who Had High Hopes

“I have begun to love the film world and the film people and hope to make good both as an artiste and a playback singer”, said the up-and-coming Shaminder, one of our new leading men of the screen who plays a key role in Filmyug’s Aas Ka Panchhi (1961).

This handsome singing star from the land of five rivers has given his voice for many films, sharing his first song with Lata Mangeshkar and his first scene with Vyjayanthimala. Shaminder told me that he was grateful to both these artistes and the others of the Aas Ka Panchhi unit who helped him overcome his initial nervousness.

Born in a village in East Punjab, Shaminder hails from a well-to-do family which was prejudiced against his joining films. But, since childhood, he had an urge to sing and after successfully crooning for H.M.V and the Delhi and the Jullunder stations of A.I.R. he landed in Bombay in search of a ‘break’ for his talents.

Shaminder has had the privilege to work with some of our well-known music directors including Roshan, Sardul Kwatra and Shankar Jaikishan.

As an actor, Shaminder is anxious to evolve a style of his own. “I don’t think anyone in this profession can go far if he merely apes others and doesn’t work hard to stand on his own feet”, he stated.

Modest and unassuming, Shaminder admires Marlon Brando and his favourite Indian director is Satyajit Ray. “Someday, if I’m lucky”, he remarked, “maybe I’ll work with him (Ray) though at present it may look like wishful thinking.”

Apart from Aas Ka Panchhi, Shaminder has a featured role in Anpadh (1962) and Dil Ki Awaaz both under production in Bombay studios.

Regarding future plans, Shaminder said: “ I am going to choose my roles and keep on studying the latest books on acting and the dramatic art in the hope that I can manage to be somewhat different from others. I know I sound high but I want to be creative and original”

Cinemaazi thanks Sudarshan Talwar for contributing this interview conducted in 1961