Following in Raj Kapoors family tradition Shammi Kapoor also had a fondness for alcohol and cigarettes. He drank every day and not a single night passed without alcohol. As cheerful and fun-loving as he appeared on screen he was considered equally short-tempered and stubborn in real life. However a turning point in his life completely transformed him after he came into contact with a mysterious yogi Haidakhan Baba. The First Meeting with Haidakhan Baba In 1974 Shammi Kapoors wifes family invited Haidakhan Baba to their home. Shammi himself wasnt interested in meeting him busy shooting films but he came under pressure from his family. Initially he simply sat in a corner taking Babas photographs but then he realized Babas gaze was fixed on him and something changed within him at that very moment. Pic: Shammi with Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor; in the second picture Shammi after embracing spirituality Visit to the Ashram and the Amazing Transformation After this mystical experience Shammi went to Babas ashram in Nainital. He had brought along a full supply of alcohol non-vegetarian food and music; he felt he couldnt pass a day without these things. But when he arrived at the ashram Baba smiled and said Mahatma ji you have come! This single sentence touched Shammis heart. For 12 days at the ashram he neither touched alcohol nor ate non-vegetarian food and he didnt feel the need for them. The serene atmosphere of the ashram and Babas presence transformed his life. Gradually he gave up alcohol and cigarettes and turned completely to spirituality. Neela Devi on Shammi’s Transformation Shammi Kapoors wife Neela Devi says Guru ji never forced anything on Shammi ji. He joined that path on his own. He started going on trips with Baba and started doing sadhana. She further said that Shammi never wanted to play character roles initially but under Babas influence he became humble and started accepting supporting roles in films. There was a time when he used to smoke 100 cigarettes every day. But gradually he gave up that too. He created a website dedicated to Haidakhan Baba and kept sharing his experiences in programs like Shammi Kapoor Unplugged.