Teesri Manzil
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''Teesri Manzil'' (English: "Third Floor") is a 1966 Indian
musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film and television, a genre of film and television that incorporates into the narr ...
thriller film directed by Vijay Anand and produced by
Nasir Hussain Mohammad Nasir Hussain Khan (16 November 1926 — 13 March 2002), better known as Nasir Hussain, was an Indian film producer, director, and screenwriter. With a career spanning decades, Hussain has been credited as a major trendsetter in the ...
. It starred
Shammi Kapoor Shammi Kapoor (born Shamsher Raj Kapoor; (pronounced ʌmːi kʌpuːɾ 21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards, winning in the categories of Best Actor f ...
and
Asha Parekh Asha Parekh (born 2 October 1942) is a retired Indian actress, film director, and producer who appeared in many commercially successful films throughout her career. She was the highest paid actress of her time and was one of the most successful ...
, along with
Laxmi Chhaya Laxmi Chhaya (7 January 1948 – 9 May 2004) was an Indian actress, dancer and teacher, who was known for her distinctive character roles and appearances in Hindi films. Following a series of roles as a child actor, Chhaya earned recognition ...
,
Premnath Prem Nath Malhotra, better known as Prem Nath, was an Indian actor and director, who was best known for his works in Hindi films. Nath made his debut with the film ''Ajit'' (1948), and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. ...
,
Prem Chopra Prem Chopra (born 23 September 1935) is an Indian actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in 380 films over a span of over 60 years. He has a soft-spoken diction despite being a villain in most films. His 19 films, with him as antagonist ...
,
Iftekhar Sayedna Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif (22 February 1924 – 4 March 1995), often mononymously credited as Iftekhar, was an Indian actor who mainly worked in Hindi cinema. He is known for his role as a police officer. Career Iftekhar was born in ...
,
Helen Helen may refer to: People * Helen of Troy, in Greek mythology, the most beautiful woman in the world * Helen (actress) (born 1938), Indian actress * Helen (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) Places * Helen, ...
, K. N. Singh and
Salim Khan Salim Abdul Rashid Khan (born 24 November 1935) is an Indian actor, film producer and screenwriter. As a screenwriter, he wrote the screenplays, stories and scripts for numerous Bollywood films. Khan is one half of the prolific screenwriting d ...
. The film became a hit at the box office. With the music and songs setting records, this movie is considered among the best offerings and one of the first breakthroughs of R.D. Burman's career. ''Indiatimes Movies'' ranks the movie amongst the ''Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films''. notably for its extremely foot tapping music and songs, which remain very popular till date. The film is also noted for its memorable lead pair, superb mystery, tight script and above all, brilliant performance by Shammi Kapoor. The film's
DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...
&
VCD Video CD (abbreviated as VCD, and also known as Compact Disc Digital Video) is a home video format and the first format for distributing films on standard optical discs. The format was widely adopted in Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the ...
versions run for 145 minutes, while the theatre version ran for 175 minutes. Between Ruby's jealous sniping at minute 76 and the song "Dekhiye Sahiban Woh Koi Aur Thi", sung by Mohammed Rafi, approximately 30 minutes of footage is missing. The last time a full version of this film released was on VHS. Many people in
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
and
Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
reviewed it five stars. Now uncut full movie is available on YouTube and if its OTT presentation is concerned, it is available in
Zee5 ZEE5 is an Indian subscription video on-demand and over-the-top streaming service, run by Zee Entertainment Enterprises. It was launched in India on 14 February 2018 with content in 12 languages. The ZEE5 mobile app is available on Web, Androi ...
since early 2020.


Plot

A young girl, Rupa (Sabina), mysteriously falls to her death from the third floor of The Park hotel in
Mussoorie Mussoorie is a hill station and a municipal board, near Dehradun city in the Dehradun district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is about from the state capital of Dehradun and north of the national capital of New Delhi. The hill s ...
. Before her fall, she bangs on the door of a man named Rocky (
Shammi Kapoor Shammi Kapoor (born Shamsher Raj Kapoor; (pronounced ʌmːi kʌpuːɾ 21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards, winning in the categories of Best Actor f ...
), pleading with him to let her in. Her death is assumed to be suicide by everyone at the hotel, including Rocky. A year later, Rupa's sister Sunita (
Asha Parekh Asha Parekh (born 2 October 1942) is a retired Indian actress, film director, and producer who appeared in many commercially successful films throughout her career. She was the highest paid actress of her time and was one of the most successful ...
) reveals to her friend Meena (
Laxmi Chhaya Laxmi Chhaya (7 January 1948 – 9 May 2004) was an Indian actress, dancer and teacher, who was known for her distinctive character roles and appearances in Hindi films. Following a series of roles as a child actor, Chhaya earned recognition ...
), that Rupa had written to her, confessing that she was in love with a drummer named Rocky at The Park hotel, and implying that they had sexual relations, and she desperately needs him to marry her. Sunita, believes Rocky seduced and then jilted her sister, which led her to commit suicide. She intends to travel to Dehradun and Mussoorie, find Rocky and avenge her sister's death. On her way to Dehradun, she meets Anil - a charming but mischievous man who flirts with her. As she checks into The Park hotel to find Rocky, she finds Anil there too, and he continues to woo her. Unbeknownst to her, Anil is Rocky. Anil finds out about Sunita's real intentions, and misleads her - making another coworker impersonate Rocky, while he continues to pursue her as Anil. He even lies about his job - telling her he is the nephew and heir of a wealthy landlord who resides in a local mansion in Dehradun. While initially Sunita rebukes him and rebuffs his advances, she eventually falls in love with him, even confiding in him about her sister's tragic death and her hatred for Rocky. Anil keeps up his charade and ends up having to entertain Sunita and her friends at his 'uncle's' mansion. His lie is almost caught when the real owner of the mansion Kunwarsahab (
Prem Nath Prem Nath Malhotra, better known as Prem Nath, was an Indian actor and director, who was best known for his works in Hindi films. Nath made his debut with the film ''Ajit'' (1948), and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. ...
) shows up. However, Kunwarsahab plays along and covers for Anil. The two become good friends. Sunita invites Anil and his 'uncle' to meet with her father so they can begin planning the wedding. Anil requests Kunwarsahab to explain the whole truth to Sunita and her father, however, Kunwarsahab instead keeps up the pretense and agrees on the alliance. With no other option, Anil writes a letter to Sunita explaining that he is Rocky, but he never seduced her sister, and had no idea she would kill herself over him. Sunita is aghast when she reads the letter and breaks up with him. As he tries to unsuccessfully pursue and convince her, he in intercepted by a police inspector who is investigating Rupa's murder. Anil tells the inspector that Rupa relentlessly pursued him last year, despite being engaged to another man, Ramesh (
Prem Chopra Prem Chopra (born 23 September 1935) is an Indian actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in 380 films over a span of over 60 years. He has a soft-spoken diction despite being a villain in most films. His 19 films, with him as antagonist ...
). This made Ramesh furious and he threatened to kill Rupa in front of Anil. On the night she fell, Rupa had called Anil, telling him she desperately wants to meet with him, however Anil had refused and did not open the door when Rupa banged on it. A few minutes later, he heard her fall. Anil suspects Ruby to be Rupa's murderer, as she had intercepted Rupa and Anil's call, and was always jealous of any other woman who came close to Anil. However, during a confrontation, Ruby is shot by an unknown assailant. The inspector takes Anil into custody, warning him that the shooter was aiming for Anil, not Ruby, because they believe Anil is getting close to discovering the real killer. He shows Anil an expensive coat button found in Rupa's hand which he believes she tore off of her killer's coat. Anil then suspects Ramesh, Rupa's rich fiance who had threatened to kill her. Ramesh denies the accusation, although he was present at the hotel on the night Rupa died, and is also seen secretly bribing someone dressed as Ruby's killer with a bottle of whisky. However, without any proof, he is let off. As Anil returns to his hotel room, an unknown woman visits him, telling him to take her car and go to a restaurant at the bottom of the hill, where he will find the conspirators. Anil does so, but finds while driving that the car has been sabotaged. He leaps out as the car plummets down a cliff. Presumed dead by everyone, he secretly visits Sunita, convinced that Ramesh killed both Rupa and Ruby and is now trying to kill him. He enlists Sunita's help, who now believes his innocence and takes him to meet Ramesh at the Park Hotel. While there, Anil spots the same woman who set him up with the sabotaged car, and pursues her. He is surprised to see her drive into Kunwarsahab's mansion. Shocked at seeing him, Kunwarsahab insists that Anil is not safe anywhere and must stay with him. He forces Anil into an old room and instructs him to stay there till morning. As he begrudgingly goes through a closet, looking for clothes to change into, Anil comes across a coat with the exact same buttons that the inspector had shown him. The coat is missing a button. Realizing that Kunwarsahab is the real killer, Anil forges an escape, just as Kunwarsahab and the unknown woman who is a widow with three children, his mistress, enter his room to kill him in his sleep. Anil gets a hold of the unknown woman while Kunwarsahab leaves to look for him, and forces her to confess the real truth. The unknown woman (a widow with three children) divulges to the inspector that she and Kunwarsahab had an affair that his wife discovered, and tried to shoot him. Kunwarsahab tackled her, shooting her in the tussle. While they are burying her corpse, Rupa spots them as she is on her way to meet Rocky. She gives herself away and flees to the hotel, with Kunwarsahab in pursuit. She bangs on Rocky's door, but he does not open, unaware of her predicament. Kunwarsahab picks her up and throws her off the third floor. Kunwarsahab enters at the very moment and shoots his mistress (the unknown woman) killing her. He then tries to kill Anil, however, goes over the ledge of his mansion in the struggle. Anil holds onto him, asking him to surrender himself to the police, who have arrived on the scene. However, Kunwarsahab prefers to die, and lets go of Anil's hand, falling to his death from the third floor of his mansion. The film ends with Anil and Sunita going back to Delhi on the same train where they met the first time.


Cast

*
Shammi Kapoor Shammi Kapoor (born Shamsher Raj Kapoor; (pronounced ʌmːi kʌpuːɾ 21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards, winning in the categories of Best Actor f ...
as Anil Kumar "Sona"/Rocky: Anil is a drummer who plays at the Park Hotel. He is the love interest of both Rupa, Sunita and Ruby, although he only has feelings for Sunita. He flirts and pursues Sunita, while lying about his true identity. He pretends to be the heir of a wealthy landlord to win Sunita's favour. Though his methods are often questionable, his intentions are good. *
Asha Parekh Asha Parekh (born 2 October 1942) is a retired Indian actress, film director, and producer who appeared in many commercially successful films throughout her career. She was the highest paid actress of her time and was one of the most successful ...
as Sunita: Sunita is Rupa's younger sister, who wants to avenge her sister's death. She comes from a wealthy family and is bold, independent and outspoken. While she initially rebuffs Anil, she eventually falls in love with him. She blames Rocky/Anil for her sister's death and breaks up with him when she learns the truth. *
Prem Chopra Prem Chopra (born 23 September 1935) is an Indian actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in 380 films over a span of over 60 years. He has a soft-spoken diction despite being a villain in most films. His 19 films, with him as antagonist ...
as Ramesh: Ramesh is Rupa's fiance. He discovers Rupa's indiscretions and threatens to kill her. After Rupa's death, he wishes to marry Sunita. *Sabina as Rupa: Rupa is Sunita's older sister and Ramesh' fiancee. However, she falls for Rocky and aggressively pursues him, despite his disinterest. *
Helen Helen may refer to: People * Helen of Troy, in Greek mythology, the most beautiful woman in the world * Helen (actress) (born 1938), Indian actress * Helen (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) Places * Helen, ...
as Ruby: Ruby is a dancer at the Park Hotel where Rocky is a drummer. She is in love with Rocky/Anil and is constantly trying to seduce him. She often tries to interfere in his romantic life, like listening to a private conversation between Rupa and Rocky. *
Premnath Prem Nath Malhotra, better known as Prem Nath, was an Indian actor and director, who was best known for his works in Hindi films. Nath made his debut with the film ''Ajit'' (1948), and went on to appear in over 100 films throughout his career. ...
as Kunwarsahab: Kunwarsahab is a wealthy landlord who pretends to be Anil's uncle to help him save face. He acts as his guardian and confidante. *
Laxmi Chhaya Laxmi Chhaya (7 January 1948 – 9 May 2004) was an Indian actress, dancer and teacher, who was known for her distinctive character roles and appearances in Hindi films. Following a series of roles as a child actor, Chhaya earned recognition ...
as Meena: Meena is a friend and confidant of Sunita who is seemingly shy and reserved. *
Ram Avtar Ram Avtar was a character actor turned comedian in Hindi cinema. He is best known for his roles in Nasir Hussain's films, especially '' Teesri Manzil'' (1967) and ''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'' (1973). These roles ranged from tickled train passenger in t ...
as train passenger *
Iftekhar Sayedna Iftekhar Ahmed Sharif (22 February 1924 – 4 March 1995), often mononymously credited as Iftekhar, was an Indian actor who mainly worked in Hindi cinema. He is known for his role as a police officer. Career Iftekhar was born in ...
as Police Inspector *
Raj Mehra Raj Mehra 20 May 1913 1993), was an Indian character artist and film actor in Hindi language films, especially known for his role as a father of leading actors. During his career, he worked in over 300 Hindi films. Some of his popular roles a ...
as Sunita's Dad *
Salim Khan Salim Abdul Rashid Khan (born 24 November 1935) is an Indian actor, film producer and screenwriter. As a screenwriter, he wrote the screenplays, stories and scripts for numerous Bollywood films. Khan is one half of the prolific screenwriting d ...
as Rocky's Friend


Background

Nasir Hussain Mohammad Nasir Hussain Khan (16 November 1926 — 13 March 2002), better known as Nasir Hussain, was an Indian film producer, director, and screenwriter. With a career spanning decades, Hussain has been credited as a major trendsetter in the ...
produced and wrote ''Teesri Manzil'' under his home banner. He approached
Dev Anand Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand (26 September 1923 – 3 December 2011), better known as Dev Anand, was an Indian actor, writer, director and producer known for his work in Hindi cinema, through a career that spanned over six decades. He was ...
to star in the film and he immediately agreed. However, at the same time, another of Nasir Hussain's productions, ''
Baharon Ke Sapne ''Baharon Ke Sapne'' (Dreams of Spring) is a 1967 Hindi film made under Nasir Hussain films' banner. It starred Rajesh Khanna and the Nasir Hussain fixture - Asha Parekh. It also had Premnath, Madan Puri and another Nasir Hussain fixture Rajend ...
'', was to be directed by Vijay Anand. Then, on occasion of Sadhana's engagement party, a misunderstanding erupted between Dev Anand and Nasir Hussain, when Hussain allegedly overheard Dev Anand saying. "The film which Nasir is making with me is coloured and he has given Goldie some black-and-white film to make. Goldie is making the movie with some new boy,
Rajesh Khanna Rajesh Khanna () (; born Jatin Khanna; 29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) was an Indian actor, film producer and politician who worked in Hindi films. He is called as the "First Superstar of Hindi cinema", he consecutively starred in a record ...
". It was the next day that Hussain requested Vijay Anand to direct ''Teesri Manzil'' and offered to helm ''Baharon Ke Sapne'', but specified that ''Teesri Manzil'' would not have Dev Anand in it. It was only then that Shammi Kapoor was approached. Vijay Anand came on board to direct and edit the film. Hussain then cast
Shammi Kapoor Shammi Kapoor (born Shamsher Raj Kapoor; (pronounced ʌmːi kʌpuːɾ 21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards, winning in the categories of Best Actor f ...
, who had earlier starred in Hussain's two big hits '' Tumsa Nahin Dekha'' (1957) and ''
Dil Deke Dekho ''Dil Deke Dekho'' is a 1959 Indian Hindi romantic comedy film. It was Nasir Hussain's second film as a director after '' Tumsa Nahin Dekha'' (1957), which became a big hit and gave star Shammi Kapoor a new image as a comedic, dancing hero. Huss ...
'' (1959), the latter of which introduced
Asha Parekh Asha Parekh (born 2 October 1942) is a retired Indian actress, film director, and producer who appeared in many commercially successful films throughout her career. She was the highest paid actress of her time and was one of the most successful ...
. Asha had starred in two more hits for Hussain ''
Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai ''Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai '' () is a 1961 Hindi-language musical comedy film that became a box office hit. It was written, produced, and directed by Nasir Hussain. The first film Hussain ever produced, it featured Dev Anand and Hussain fixt ...
'' (1961) and ''
Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon ''Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon '' ( I've come back with the same heart) is a 1963 Indian Hindi-language film. The film became superhit at the box office. This was Nasir Hussain's second production (his first in colour), after the hit film ''Jab Pya ...
'' (1963). Thus, the newcomer for this film would be music composer
R.D. Burman Rahul Dev Burman (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) was an Indian music director who is considered one of the most influential composers of India. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Burman composed musical scores for 331 films. Burman did major work ...
(son of music composer
S.D. Burman Sachin Dev Burman (1 October 1906 – 31 October 1975) was an Indian music director and singer. A member of the Tripura royal family, he started his career with Bengali films in 1937. He later began composing for Hindi movies and became one o ...
), and he would create phenomenal music for this film. He would compose for all of Hussain's films until ''
Zabardast ''Zabardast'' (meaning "''Fantastic''" in Hindi) is a 1985 Indian Hindi action film directed by Nasir Hussain, with his nephew Aamir Khan as assistant director, and produced by Mushir-Riaz. The film stars Sanjeev Kumar, Sunny Deol, Jaya Prada, ...
'' (1985). Shammi Kapoor, Hussain and Vijay individually took credit for discovering the supremely talented R.D. Burman, but R.D. Burman gave credit to lyricist
Majrooh Sultanpuri Asrar ul Hassan Khan (1 October 1919 − 24 May 2000), better known as Majrooh Sultanpuri, was an Indian Urdu poet and lyricist in India's Hindi language film industry. He wrote Hindustani lyrics for numerous Hindi film soundtracks. He was ...
for recommending him to Hussain, and both of them would create unforgettable songs for ''Teesri Manzil''. All the hit songs featured Mohammed Rafi The song picturizations were outstanding, with Helen dancing to "Oh Haseena Zulfon Waali". Songs such as "Aaja aaja" had a rock n' roll base and were extremely popular.


Soundtrack

All the songs were composed by
Rahul Dev Burman Rahul Dev Burman (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) was an Indian music director who is considered one of the most influential composers of India. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Burman composed musical scores for 331 films. Burman did major work w ...
and lyrics were penned by
Majrooh Sultanpuri Asrar ul Hassan Khan (1 October 1919 − 24 May 2000), better known as Majrooh Sultanpuri, was an Indian Urdu poet and lyricist in India's Hindi language film industry. He wrote Hindustani lyrics for numerous Hindi film soundtracks. He was ...
.
Mohammed Rafi Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian playback singer and musician. He is considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his versatility and ...
featured in all the songs and
Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle (; Mangeshkar; born 8 September 1933) is an Indian  playback singer, entrepreneur and occasional actress and television personality who predominantly works in Indian Cinema. Known for her versatility, she has been described in the ...
sang all the female parts. Choreography was by
Herman Benjamin Herman Benjamin was a choreographer of dance numbers in various Bollywood movies from the late 1950s through to the early 1970s. Also known as "Harman", he started his career as a choreographer in the popular 1958 film ''Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi''. He ...
.


Reception

The film became a hit and remains popular to this day. Although it is a murder mystery, it continues to draw repeat audiences, even though the identity of the murderer is no longer a secret. ''Teesri Manzil'' was the last time Shammi starred in a Nasir Hussain film. Asha would go on to do four more, three of which she starred in. ''Teesri Manzil'' was also the last Hussain film in which
Mohammed Rafi Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian playback singer and musician. He is considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his versatility and ...
sang all the songs. By ''
Yaadon Ki Baraat ''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'' () is a 1973 Indian Hindi-language masala film, directed by Nasir Hussain and written by Salim–Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar). It featured an ensemble cast, starring Dharmendra, Vijay Arora, Tariq, Zeenat Aman, Ne ...
'',
Kishore Kumar Kishore Kumar (born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly (); 4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987) was an Indian playback singer and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest, most influential and dynamic singers in the history of Indian music. He ...
had temporarily become the dominant singer in Hussain's movies, but Rafi always had a special place in Hussain's films and would later win major awards for the song "Kya Hua Tera Wada" in Hussain's ''
Hum Kisise Kum Naheen ''Hum Kisise Kum Naheen'' () is a 1977 Indian musical drama film produced and directed by Nasir Hussain. It took the third top spot at the box office in 1977. The film stars Rishi Kapoor, Tariq Khan, Kaajal Kiran, Amjad Khan and Zeenat Aman ...
'' (1977). Hussain and Vijay never worked together after ''Teesri Manzil''. Hussain would return to directing all his films again and would only relinquish the director's chair to his son after three of his films flopped in the 1980s.
Salim Khan Salim Abdul Rashid Khan (born 24 November 1935) is an Indian actor, film producer and screenwriter. As a screenwriter, he wrote the screenplays, stories and scripts for numerous Bollywood films. Khan is one half of the prolific screenwriting d ...
played a small role as Shammi Kapoor's musician friend who pretends to be Rocky in the musical number "Oh Haseena Zulfon Waali". In real life, Helen would later become his second wife. Shammi's wife
Geeta Bali Geeta Bali (born Harkirtan Kaur; 1930 ‒ 21 January 1965) was an Indian actress who appeared in Hindi language films. She was the wife of noted film actor Shammi Kapoor. Early life Geeta Bali was born as Harikirtan Kaur in Amritsar in the Pu ...
died during the filming, and Vijay helped Shammi get over the grief.


Dvd /VCD missing 21 minutes

The Dvd and Vcd versions of the film are missing 21 minutes of the film . The 1987 VCR release has the complete movie. The missing portion can be seen on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgntrX8Z_9A&ab_channel=AtulShah


References


External links

* {{Vijay Anand 1966 films 1960s Hindi-language films Films scored by R. D. Burman Films directed by Vijay Anand