Teesri Manzil: Romance, Rock 'N' Roll, Revenge And RD
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When Vijay "Goldie" Anand got to direct Nasir Hussain's black-and-white Baharon Ke Sapne in 1965 with new boy Rajesh Khanna, misunderstandings abounded brother Dev Anand and Nasir Husain, costing Dev another Nasir Hussain colour film. But Goldie bagged its director's cap, and the Husain power couple, Shammi Kapoor (India's Elvis) and Asha Parekh, led the show. The film? Teesri Manzil.
A musical murder mystery ensues as a young woman, Rupa, besotted with drummer Rocky, falls to her death from the third floor of a hotel. Her sister Sunita (Asha Parekh), blames Rocky for Rupa's death and begins a journey of vengeance. Was it suicide? Was it murder? Who killed Rupa? The mystery unravels as love blossoms between Anil (Shammi Kapoor) and Sunita, donning the thriller, comic and musical relief.
The film had romance, rock and roll, revenge, and RD.
RD who? Shammi Kapoor had the same question until he heard the songs the man brought. "Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera", sang the young music director. Kapoor began dancing. "Wah!" said lyricist Majrooh, who had introduced the musician to Hussain. "Baap Ka Beta!" (Like father, like son), said Husain.
RD-Majrooh-Hussain collaborated on Zabardast (1985), faring superhits like Caravan, Yaadon ki baarat, Hum Kisise Kum Nahin and Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai through the 70s and early 80s.
Drums, bass and trumpets made for an ominous theme music. 80 musicians–40 violinists–played the drum and triangle-based "O Haseena Zulfon Wali" (a song iconising Helen till Mohabbatein and beyond).
An iconic guitar riff later, Rafi-Asha wheezed and breezed to "Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera". And again, to the fun hullabaloo duet "Main Inpe Marta Hoon". En fin, the unforgettable romantic ballads "Deewana Mujhsa Nahi" (the first song Burman made Hussain & co. hear), "Tumne Mujhe Dekha" (the song a gloomy Kapoor shot right after hearing the news his wife Geeta Bali had passed away) and "O Mere Sona".
Eight songs, four Rafi-Asha duets and countless tributes later, Teesri Manzil remains trendsetting, as Nasir Hussain foresaw.
Also read: Yaadon ki baarat: A Tale of love, loss and music.
