A composition for manufacture of hard hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose capsules comprising a film forming material of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose having a methoxy content of 27.0-30.0% (w/w), and a hydroxypropoxy content of 4.0 - 7.5% and as a 2% weight solution, a viscosity of 3.5 - 6.0 cPs at 20°C, dipping compositions, process for manufacture of hard hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose capsules according to a dip coating process and hard capsule shells.