L ong before most Indians had even heard of the internet, veteran Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor was already exploring the wonders of the worldwide web. Kapoor was a true tech enthusiast who recognized the potential of the internet long before it became mainstream in India.
In the mid-1990s, years before internet services were commercially available in the country, Kapoor managed to get a connection through Apple and British Telecom. He later credited Steve Jobs and Apple for giving him his first glimpse of the online world. By the time internet services formally launched in India in the late 90s, Kapoor was already well-versed in surfing the net.
After retiring from films, Kapoor dove headfirst into the world of computers and the internet. While most retired actors tend to indulge in "women and wine" as he jokingly put it, Kapoor found computers and the internet far more engaging. He realized long before others that the internet had immense potential to connect people across the globe.
Kapoor was an early adopter of social media, maintaining active accounts on Facebook and Twitter. He leveraged the power of the internet to connect with fans and friends, even finding a long lost friend after 50 years thanks to the worldwide web. Kapoor was also one of the pioneers of early internet communities in India. He founded the Internet Users Community of India and was involved in organizations like the Ethical Hackers Association.
Throughout his life, Kapoor remained loyal to Apple products and preferred Mac computers over Microsoft. He kept up with the latest technological gadgets well into his later years. His home had a 32-inch computer screen, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that he would use while wheeling around in his wheelchair during his last years.
Shammi Kapoor stands out as one of the first Indian celebrities to truly recognize the potential of the internet. His tech-savvy mindset allowed him to adopt and leverage the power of the internet long before it caught on in the country. Though a legendary actor, Kapoor should also be remembered as an innovator ahead of his time when it came to embracing technology.
