Interesting nuggets about the Shammi Kapoor-Asha Parekh movie classic.
Did you know Dev Anand was the first choice for Nasir Hussain's Teesri Manzil?
At Sadhana's engagement party, Dev boasted, 'My brother Goldie (Vijay Anand) is directing a black and white film (Baharon Ke Sapne) with a new boy (Rajesh Khanna) for Nasir Hussain while I am directing a colour film (Teesri Manzil) for him.'
This didn't go down well with Nasir Hussain and they almost came to blows.
Later, Nasir directed Baharon Ke Sapne and gave Teesri Manzil to Vijay Anand.
Dev Anand was dropped from the film.
Nasir called Shammi Kapoor and asked him to star in the film. Shammi said he would, on one condition.
Shammi said he would do Teesri Manzil only if Dev gave him the go ahead, which the famously charming Dev did.
Teesri Manzil released in 1966 and was a big hit.
Baharon Ke Sapne was a hit too!
Teesri Manzil's terrific music contributed to its success and made R D Burman a star.
Vijay Anand convinced Nasir Hussain to let RD make music.
They then convinced Shammi who was rooting for Shankar-Jaikishan.
The drummer in the O Haseena Zulfonwali song was played by Salim Khan, who went on to define Hindi cinema in the 1970s along with Javed Akhtar.
During the shooting of the song Tumne Mujhe Dekha, Shammi's wife Geeta Bali fell ill and passed away.
Shammi sank into depression until Vijay Anand dragged him out to shoot the song and finish the film.