Andaz - From Shammi Kapoor To Rajesh Khanna

I've talked about Teesri Manzil and the effect that it had on me. Shammi Kapoor was at the top of his game when he starred in Teesri Manzil. He was stylish and flamboyant, unlike the other leading men in 60s Bollywood. Slowly but steadily, time and tragedy took its toll on Shammi Kapoor. By the end of the 60s and early 70s Shammi Kapoor's career as a leading man began to end. New actors like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan emerged, taking the place of of those from the previous generation. It was during this time that Shammi Kapoor starred in Andaz, one of his last movies as a leading man.

I still remember the first time I watched Andaz. At first I did not know that Shammi Kapoor also starred in the movie because Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana, the most popular song from the movie, featured Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini. So I assumed that the movie starred just them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Shammi Kapoor was in fact the leading man while Rajesh Khanna just had a guest appearance. Along with Rajesh Khanna, Simi Garewal also had a guest appearance. Most importantly, I really liked the unconventional story in which the main characters were a widow and a widower rather than a playboy and a college girl.

The story is that of a young widow, Sheetal (Hema Malini) and a widower, Ravi (Shammi Kapoor). Sheetal has a young son, Deepu while Ravi has a young daughter, Munni. Both children go the same school where Sheetal teaches. The children become fast friends and play an integral part in bringing their parents together. Just as Sheetal and Ravi begin to fall in love, complications occur. Whether Sheetal and Ravi get over those complication and come together makes up the rest of the story.

Apart from the unconventional story, Andaz also had an excellent soundtrack by Shankar-Jaikishan.

Song 1. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle. This song showcases the relationship between Raj (Rajesh Khanna) and Sheetal. I really like the meaningful lyrics of this particular song.

Song 2. Re Mama Re Mama - Mohd. Rafi. This song highlights the father-daughter relationship between Ravi and Munni. I like the way Ravi goes out of his way to make sure Munni forgives him.

Song 3. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai - Asha Bhosle. Here, Sheetal sings to her son Deepu a song that his father sang to her. I like the way the lyrics are used in this version of the song.

Song 4. Dil Usse Do - Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle. This song highlights the relationship between Sheetal and Ravi. Both Shammi Kapoor and Hema Malini are adorable in this song.

Song 5. Zindigi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle. Ravi sings to Sheetal, trying to give her strength and reassurance during tough times. I like that Mohd. Rafi sang Shammi Kapoor's portions emphasizing the difference between Ravi and Raj.

Song 6. Mujhe Pyas Aisi Pyas Lagi Hai - Asha Bhosle. This song essentially introduces the audience to Badal (Roopesh Kumar), the villain.

Just as films like Teesri Manzil, for example, showcased an actor at the top of his game, Andaz showcases an actor who was on the brink of passing on the role of the romantic leading man to a younger lot of actors. Even then, Shammi Kapoor still managed to give an excellent performance as a doting father, loving husband and strong companion.

Teesri Manzil - My Take...

I've mentioned earlier how watching Teesri Manzil instantly made me a Shammi Kapoor fan. So it's only fair that I talk about the movie and why it had such a effect on me.

Let me start by saying, I love watching murder mysteries and thrillers ever since I was little. I just love the way the story comes together after a crime has taken place. I enjoy being completely engaged and engrossed in the plot. Last but not the least, when the villain is revealed, I like being surprised! Teesri Manzil was the second Retro-Bollywood murder mystery I watched (the first was Madhumati). It had everything going for it - great music, wonderful cast, interesting story and novel direction.

The movie starts out with a suicide taking place at a hotel. It is later revealed that the victim was a guest at the hotel and was deeply in love with one of the musicians performing at the hotel under the name, Rocky. Witnesses say that before the victim killed herself, she begged him to confess his love for her and when he asked her to leave, she killed herself by jumping from the Teesri Manzil (third floor) of the hotel. When the police examine her remains and room, they find a suicide note in her room and a bejeweled coat button in her palm.

Cut to the present, the victim's sister, Sunita, decides to go to the hotel and deal with Rocky her own way. In her quest, she meets and befriends Anil, another guest who is staying at the same hotel and claims to be Rocky's friend. It turns out that Anil, is in fact Rocky and pretends to be Rocky's friend to prove his innocence to Sunita.

During their time together, Sunita and Anil fall in love. It is then that he reveals to her that he is in fact the 'Rocky' that she came to meet. He tells her everything that happened the night her sister died. She realizes that Anil was not responsible for her sister's death and explains to him that her sister would never kill herself.

While speaking to the police investigating the suicide, it is revealed that she was in fact murdered. The police also show Anil and Sunita the bejeweled coat button that was found in her sister's palm. How Anil and Sunita solve the mystery makes up rest of the story.

As I mentioned earlier, all of the songs in this movie are just plain amazing! R.D. Burman showcases his talent to the fullest extent with this soundtrack. He introduces the audience to the fast beats of Rock & Roll.

Song 1. O Haseena Zulphon Wali - An introduction song featuring Rocky/Anil (Shammi Kapoor) and Ruby (Helen). Mohd. Rafi sang this song superbly and Asha Bhosle adds so much ada!

Song 2. Aaja Aaja - A cute chedkani song where Anil dances with Sunita. Once again Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle create magic.

Song 3. Deewana Mujhsa Nahi - A romantic song where Anil professes his love for Sunita. Mohd. Rafi sings this song and touches the heart of the listener.

Song 4. O Mere Sonare - The classic manana song where Sunita begs for forgiveness for treating Anil badly. Asha Bholse's charming voice and Mohd. Rafi's masti make this song a classic.

Song 5. Main Inpe Marta Hoon - A fun song where Anil explains that main inpe marta hoon! Mohd. Rafi's voice matches Shammi Kapoor's crazy antics perfectly! Asha Bholse adds ada easily!

Song 6. Tumne Mujhe Dekha - A heartfelt song where Anil reveals himself as Rocky. The emotion in Mohd. Rafi's voice adds so much depth to this song.

I hope this post inspires you to watch Teesri Manzil yourself and become a fan of Shammi Kapoor's work.