When Raj Kapoor scolded Shammi Kapoor for his Pan Parag ad with Ashok Kumar: ‘People will remember you for this?’

Raj Kapoor with Shammi Kapoor

Shammi starred in a 1980s commercial with Ashok Kumar, for which he was scolded by his elder brother, Raj Kapoor.

It happened as Raj Kapoor, along with his family, was returning from Hong Kong. To see the clan, a sizable crowd flocked to the airport. As soon as Shammi arrived, several of their fans started shouting "Pan Parag." Additionally, they began humming the commercial's jingle.

The veteran actor called the actor and led him to a corner, as Raj Kapoor was the only one who hadn't seen Shammi's Pan Parag advertisement before the trip.

Raj scolded Shammi, saying, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? With all the years of contribution to the film industry, including Junglee, Teesri Manzil, Professor and Dil Deke Dekho, is that finished? People will remember you by Pan Parag?”

The throwback anecdote was revealed during Shammi Kapoor's own YouTube video, ‘Shammi Kapoor Unplugged.’

Shammi Kapoor and Ashok Kumar shared screen time for the first and last time in the ad. The commercial's message "no dowry, yes that"—became legendary.

A marriage served as the setting for the advertisement. "Suniye ladki ke maa-baap aaye hain," a woman tells Ashok's character as Shammi, the ladke-wala, shows up at his home.

Shammi, whose son is getting married to Ashok's daughter in the clip, said, “Baraat thik aath baje pahuch jayegi.” He added, "Par hum aapse ek baat kehna toh bhool hi gaye...ghabraiyega nahi, hume kuch nahi chahiye, hum itna chahte hain ki aap baraatiyon ka swagat pan parag se kijiye.”

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Ashok the ladki-wala pulls out a tin of the brand from his pocket and offers it to Shammi, saying, "Oh pan parag! Hume kya maloom, aap bhi paan parag ke shaukeen hain, ye lijiye pan parag.”

Shammi Kapoor has always been a huge admirer of Ashok Kumar and his movies. Shammi never had the opportunity to collaborate with him as a co-star despite having a lengthy career in film. Naturally, prior to the advertisement landing on his lap.