Just like a matrimonial match is made in heaven, the opportunity to feature in an iconic movie also has its own tryst of destiny. We’ve heard on countless occasions how iconic films were first offered to another hero, only for the movie to be made with a totally different star. A similar story panned out with director
Vijay Anand
‘s
Teesri Manzil
, which had released in 1966.
Senior film expert and analyst Dilip Thakur tells ETimes that Shammi Kapoor wasn’t the first choice for this memorable movie. He says, “When Guide and Jewel Thief were being made at the same time,
Nasir Hussain
was preparing to make Teesri Manzil. Vijay Anand took the reins of directing the film.
I have read, Nasir Hussain had confessed to Vijay Anand that Dev Anand had rejected the project despite initially agreeing to do the film. Vijay Anand recommended that Nasir Hussain cast another hero. That’s when he brought in Shammi Kapoor because the ‘Junglee’ star was a regular feature in Hussain’s films. They had worked together in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho and more.”
Dev Anand had also acted in Nasir Hussain’s Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai. Thakur quips, “Asha Parekh was Hussain’s permanent heroine.”
Teesri Manzil had some iconic music with evergreen tracks like O Mera Sona, Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera. O Hasina Zulfowali Jaane Jahan and more. But not many know that even the music director’s job changed hands for this film. Thakur explains, “OP Nayyar was supposed to compose music for Teesri Manzil but Vijay Anand didn’t want him. He wanted RD Burman. It is said that Vijay Anand took Shammi Kapoor to
RD Burman
and made him listen to 50-60 tunes. Shammi Kapoor selected 7 tunes out of those. Burman changed the tone of the songs according to Shammi’s personality.”
Although Teesri Manzil was produced by Nasir Hussain, it is identified as one of Vijay Anand’s iconic films. Thakur says, “While making Teesri Manzil, Nasir Hussain thought of making a small film and that’s how Baharon Ke Sapne got made and Rajesh Khanna became Asha Parekh’s hero.”
Thakur signs off after giving some priceless trivia. He says, “One of the leading trade papers at the time had published an advertorial announcing that Dev Anand would be the leading man in Teesri Manzil, which would be directed by Vijay Anand and the film would be written and produced by Nasir Hussain. The film was to also have 11 girls who were chosen from various beauty contests held all over the country.”
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