Sorry Mr Guru Dutt, you are not the only one...

I saw “Teesri Kasam”again, a few days back. And cried at the beauty of it. Or was I crying at the lack of beauty in today’s films? The subtle relationship between Hiraman [Raj Kapoor] and Hirabai [Waheeda Rehman] pinched my heart. Especially, Waheeda. I have always felt I was born with a “ Waheeda Rehman” fixation and watching this film simply reconfirmed that fact. Its simply impossible to take my eyes off her!

The songs of the film are simply brilliant. It starts with “Sajan re jhoot mat bolo, khuda ke paas jana hai….” And then it takes us through this melodious journey with, “ Sajanva bairi ho gay hamar….”, “Duniya bananewale kya tere man mein samaee…”, Chalat musafir moh liya re…”, “ Pan khaye saiyan hamaar…” to finally “ Aa aa bhi jaa..”

The film was produced by probably the greatest lyricist in Hindi cinema, Shailendra. And it was the only film produced for he died before the release of the film. There is an anecdote about the song-“ Pan khaaye saiyaan hamar…”. Its said that Shailendra wrote this song for Sachin Dev Burman, on Sachinda, for this great music composer had the habit of eating “pan” and its juice would drip from his mouth to his silky kurta!

Sachinda and Shailendra never got a chance to work on this song together. Finally, the song was composed by the versatile duo of Shankar Jaikishan. Asha Bhonsle sang it to perfection and my own dear Waheeda danced the song to immortality.


The photography by Subarta Mitra too is exceptional. Its definitely one of the best films photographed in black and white. The other being “ 27 Down”, captured onto celluloid by probably, A K Bir. Am not too sure though.

This was Basu Bhattacharya’s debut film as director and remains the best film he ever made. Not that “ Anubhav” or “ Aavishkar” are bad films. In fact, “ Aavishkar” is one of my favorite films.

For one reason I’ll always respect Basu Bhattacharya and that is for bringing Geeta Dutt back into the recording room. And Kanu Roy, composed such gems for her in “Anubhav”. “ Koi chupke se aake…” , “ Mujhe jaan na kaho meri jaan..” She put so much soul into these songs that it touches yours.

In fact these were the last songs that she sang before her sad demise at the age of forty two, due to alcoholism. She still remains my favorite singer. And someone for whom I strangely feel guilty.

Waheeda Rehman and Geeta Dutt. Two beautiful human beings. Its no wonder that Guru Dutt, the man in their lives, was torn apart. But I can tell you Mr Guru Dutt, “You are a blessed soul!”

Be-karar dil iss tarah mile
Jis tarah kabhi hum juda na the
Tum bhi kho gaye
Hum bhi kho gaye
Ek raah par
Chal ke do kadam

Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam
Tum rahe na tum hum rahe na hum.-[Kaifi Azmi]