Teesri Manzil (1966)

Too much of everything

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Teesri manzil is above all an entertainer. The film stars Shammi Kapoor, Asha Parikh, and the evergreen Helen. A woman is thrown off a roof and killed. Her sister Sunita (Asha Parikh) is heartbroken, knows of her association with a night club singer (Shammi Kapoor - called Anil Kumar Sona "Rocky" LOL!!) and thinks he is behind the killing. The only clue is a coat button that the dead woman was clutching in her hand. Shammi Kappor is at his goofiest best, the suave drummer Rocky who is a babe magnet. His courting Asha Parikh on a train is hilarious. She does not know he is Rocky and he does his best to preserve this state of misinformation. In the meantime strange waiters, men with cigars, other sinister looking people lurk about in the hotel where Rocky performs. There is also a women's hockey team led by a rather large Manorama that is stalking Rocky. Laxmi Chayya is the best friend - this is a film from the 60s where having a best friend (or several of them) was a must! Rocky makes use of Prince Kunwer (Prem Nath) to preserve the secret of his identity so he can woo Sunita, much to the chagrin of her almost fiancée Prem Chopra. Rocky is being pursued by Ruby (Helen) and her machinations cause his identity to be revealed at a most inopportune moment. Who is the real murderer? Why is Rocky now a target? These secrets are hidden in a most ingenious way and revealed at the 11th hour.A Nasir Hussain production and story, this one was directed by Vijay Anand. The mystery was sustained well and the story engaging. Yes there were some flaws - too many characters were introduced too late in the film. Some of the cloak and dagger behavior was never explained. But the overall entertainment quotient was very high and the film enjoyable.A word about Shammi - he was handsome, goofy, vulnerable and great in the action sequences. Asha had a huge rear end, but was cute and could dance well - even in the jiggling Aaja Aaja number! Helen was a beauty, but strangely enough her dance skills were underutilized. Prem Chopra was the perfect slimy guy and Prem Nath suave.A must see film for the fun, the suspense and the outstanding music (RD Burman) - O Haseena Zulfon wali, O mere Sona re Sona re, Deewana mujh sa nahin, Aaja Aaja main hoon pyar Tera, Tumne Mujhe Dekha ho kar meherbaan and Dekhiye Sahibon.

This is a perfect example of Indian pop cinema from the 1960's reflecting the relentless encroachment of Western style music and beat generation dancing - however R. D. Burman composed some good tunes for this, perfectly showcasing the talents that were Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi.A woman is murdered and her old friend played by Shammi Kapoor feels obliged to help track down the culprit. As it goes it's done pretty well, but of course the music is the thing! Although I liked his older brother Raj and along with this one some of his other films too I could never understand Shammi's over-expressive style of acting or his appeal (not being a woman maybe) - imho he almost ruined some of the songs here with his mugging and jerky movements. But of course, Shammi once seen never forgotten! Favourite bit: O Mere Sona - I used to wind on and play the vid just for this just to marvel in the incredible dexterity of Asha's vocals in the asking of Shammi's forgiveness; it's much easier with the DVD! The only copy I've ever seen has a rather fluid colour, occasionally lending an unintentionally surreal atmosphere at times but not detracting from the enjoyment.It's an inconsequential treat much better than Viva Las Vegas, but clocking in at nearly 3 hours means patience, patience I think ultimately rewarded.

I first saw this film a few years ago and since then I must have seen it at least 20 times. First and foremost, the songs are excellent. I could listen to every single one again and again, especially O Haseena Zulfon Wali. Mohd Rafi truly is the greatest Indian playback singer to date. Asha Bhosle provides excellent support, particularly in the O Mera Sona Re song. Secondly, both the acting of Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh is great, both of them can pull off the comedy and the seriousness. Thirdly the plot of the movie is quite good too, with enough suspense to keep you hooked until the very end. This movie has been credited as the first murder mystery in Indian cinema and although at times its very clichéd and a little unbelievable, it still holds your attention.All in all a typical 1960's movie but with that added masala that is bollywood!!

While the filmmakers may have been trying for a Hitchcock-like blend of suspense, humor and romance, the eye-popping pastels of the film's Eastmancolor cinematography and outlandish, energetic musical numbers blend to create a delightful Bollywood concoction. Lead actor Shammi Kapoor is wonderfully fruity in what is probably his best performance, and dancing queen Helen is in classic bad girl mode. Not to be missed by anyone interested in 1960's Indian pop cinema.