Based on the short story ‘Maarey Gaye Gulfaam’ by Phanishwar Nath Renu (who also penned the dialogues of the film) TEESRI KASAM, directed by Basu Bhattacharya holds a special place in the history of Hindi Cinema due to many exceptional reasons. Released in the year 1966, it firstly has a rare casting of Raj Kapoor & Waheeda Rehman playing the lead pair of a poor bullock cart driver and a courtesan travelling together. It was produced by the legendary writer Shailender with every possible effort to make it a worth watching film made straight from the heart. Has a poetic cinematography by Subrata Mitra who earlier shot famous Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray. And lastly, is still remembered for its outstanding musical score with an authentic regional flavour composed by Shankar–Jaikishan having some great soul-searching lyrics by Shailender & Hasrat Jaipuri.
An unconventional effort conceived by an energetic, talented team TEESRI KASAM portrayed the rural India and its life, representing simplicity & honesty in its purest form. Set in the interior regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, its story revolves around Heeraman who provides his bullock cart for hire and agrees to the job of taking a Nautanki (regional theater troupe) dancer to a small fair organized in another village. And it’s this 30 hours journey with the beautiful lady only, which makes him fall in love and then realize the harsh realities of life too after reaching the desired destination.
The film literally transports the viewer into the innocent world of its main protagonist through a mesmerizing narration, thoughtfully penned dialogues and some unforgettable songs giving many precious life teaching lessons in their lyrics. For instance, the world can still learn a lot from the lines saying, “Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo, Khuda Ke Paas Jaana Hai” and “Duniya Banaaney Wale, Kya Tere Mann Mein Samaayi”. Moreover the rich quality of its other tracks like, “Pan Khaiye Saiyaan Hamaaro”, “Aa Aabhija, Raat Dhalne Lagi”, “Chalat Musafir Moh Liyo Re” and “Sajanwa Bairi Ho Gaye Hamaar” certainly makes its musical score as one of the 100 best original soundtracks of Hindi Cinema till date without any doubt.
Dealing with many relevant questionable issues of our society, TEESRI KASAM subtly points towards the exploiting way women are treated in the profession of performing arts, mainly in the rural parts of the country. Plus it also depicts the various interpretations of a beautiful woman as seen by the men around. As for some she is a fairy like Goddess and for the other just an available virgin who could be easily bought with a price. But sadly, no one is even willing to see the real inner personality hidden inside her adorable body at all. Interestingly the introspective vision can even be seen in the names given to the two lead characters i.e. Heeraman and Heera Bai, both referring to their diamond (Heera) like persona not visible to the outer world.
Considered as a true classic (decades later!), the film was a commercial disaster when it was released in the mid-60s but at the same time was also awarded the National Film Award for The Best Feature Film too in the same year. However since awards do not bring back the investment put in, TEESRI KASAM was a big emotional as well as financial setback for its producer Shailender.
As a concluding message, I would like to give you one more reason to watch this enigmatic gem at the earliest. And that one big factor is a completely different RAJ KAPOOR one gets to meet in the film as a poor bullock cart driver, in contrast with any of his famous film or the more popular image of a friendly, fun loving lover. Yes, Raj Kapoor did try to break the set pattern in his JAGTE RAHO (1956) too. But the said film still had glimpses of his familiar mannerisms in few of its sequences as I personally felt, which are nowhere visible in TEESRI KASAM becoming another of its unique feature for sure. Plus with Waheeda Rehman also delivering a complete natural performance as Heera Bai proving the perfect choice made, TEESRI KASAM truly becomes a not to be missed cinematic classic indeed, giving a fitting tribute to every talented maestro associated with its team behind the making.
So if you haven’t watched it yet, then do it as a must and satisfy your passion for great cinema with all the blessed maestros of the past.
Directed by Basu Bhattacharya
Produced by Shailender
Story and Dialogue: Phanishwar Nath Renu / Screenplay: Nabendu Ghosh
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan / Lyrics: Shailendar, Hasrat Jaipuri
Choreography: Lachhu Maharaj / Cinematography: Subrata Mitra
Tags :
Teesri Kasam (1966), Movies To See Before You Die Love Theme, Must Watch Movies List by Bobby Sing at bobbytalkscinema.com, Worth Watching Hindi Films List by Bobby Sing, Classic Bollywood Films to be seens as a must, Classic Hindi Films Gems, Raj Kapoor as never before in Teesri Kasam
