Teesri Kasam

After going through two incidents which nearly put his life into danger, a simple rustic bullock cart driver named Heeraman takes two vows - to never carry again illegal goods and to never carry again bamboo on his cart. Then he is asked to transport a young nautanki dancer named Heerabai as a passenger to a distant village fair. Travelling together for over forty hours, a true bond of friendship is formed between the two. They share some life experiences together and sing some wonderful songs to each other. She is charmed by his simplicity, innocence and his unsophisticated perception of life, and he is mesmerised by her beauty and honesty. This sequence is the film's most interesting and beautiful, but what follows next is what carries the narrative forward and leads the story towards Heeraman's third vow, and the viewers clearly can predict it.

A wonderful and musical drama, Teesri Kasam tells a simple story of cultural clashes and unrealised love. It is a rather captivating watch, well directed and narrated, and is aided by fantastic performances. Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman are absolutely outstanding in their roles. Kapoor's character in this film is not an unusual one in his career given he often played roles of this sort (the overly innocent romantic fool) but his performance definitely is. The way he displays Heeraman's sincerity, fear, love and ultimately his realisation is terrific. Rehman is unsurprisingly excellent as Heerabai - the strong, dignified and talented dancer. Her dance numbers were well done, but it is the depth with which she conveys Heera's feelings and her inner devastation that marks this performance. Needless to say, she is as beautiful and graceful as always.

For this film, Shankar-Jaikishen composed another winning soundtrack. "Duniya Banane Wale" is my favourite song and is soulfully performed by Mukesh. This is also the number that makes Heera call Heeraman her Guru, one of the top moments showing their spiritual connection. The film's final scene is unquestionably the most haunting and memorable in Teesri Kasam, and it is the one which brings the third vow to its ironic fulfillment. Heerabai's honest confession and Heeraman's silent reaction create a melancholic ending that tugs at the heartstrings. I was surprised by how moved I was by the conclusion of the story. This is actually the moment that marks this film and bears the stamp of its greatness. I highly recommend you to watch this classic picture. Take a bow, Kapoor, Rehman, and Basu Bhattacharya.

"Teesri Kasam" is a classic Indian film directed by Basu Bhattacharya and released in 1966. It is based on a story by renowned Hindi writer Phanishwar Nath Renu. The film stars Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman in the lead roles and revolves around the themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of rural life.

Set in the backdrop of rural Bihar, "Teesri Kasam" tells the story of Heeraman, a bullock cart driver, and Hiraman, a nautanki dancer. Heeraman (Raj Kapoor) falls in love with Hiraman (Waheeda Rehman) during one of her performances and makes a promise to never let her perform on the streets again. Heeraman believes that Hiraman's talent should be appreciated on bigger platforms.

The film beautifully captures the rustic charm of rural India and explores the struggles and aspirations of its characters. Raj Kapoor delivers a heartfelt performance as Heeraman, portraying his innocence and undying love for Hiraman with utmost sincerity. Waheeda Rehman, on the other hand, shines in her role as the talented and spirited Hiraman, effortlessly capturing the audience's attention with her grace and emotive expressions.

One of the highlights of "Teesri Kasam" is its soulful music composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. The film features memorable songs like "Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo" and "Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re," which have become timeless classics in the history of Hindi cinema. These songs not only enhance the narrative but also serve as a means of expressing the characters' emotions.

The film's narrative delves into the complexities of societal norms, the exploitation of artists, and the sacrifices made for love. It raises questions about the limitations of societal expectations and the price one pays for following their heart. The screenplay, adapted from Phanishwar Nath Renu's story, beautifully captures the essence of rural India, portraying the struggles and hopes of its characters with authenticity.

"Teesri Kasam" received critical acclaim upon its release and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. The film's performances, storytelling, and music were widely praised by both critics and audiences alike.

In conclusion, "Teesri Kasam" is a classic Indian film that combines powerful performances, soulful music, and an engaging narrative to explore themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations. It remains a significant contribution to Hindi cinema and continues to be celebrated for its timeless appeal.

When I look at the past I really feel sorry for Indian cinema. A sensitive and poetic film of this class sank at the box office, leading to the death of its producer Shailendra due to financial crisis. This film is today recognized as one of the best movie by all critics and actors. Film is based on a story of the Phanishwer Nath Renu, one of renowned Hindi writers.

This film portrays story of Hiraman, a bullock cart driver and a dancer Hirabai. Hirabai is attracted to Hiraman due to his simplicity. She is going to a fair by Hiraman's bullock cart to perform in drama. The bond between two grows stronger as the day passes at fair. But finally as the fair comes closer to end, the parting seems imminent due to external factors. Finally when fair is over, Hirabai has to go and two separates.

To quote Star and Style's review of the film, "The way the cart driver and nautanki dancer meet, talk and discover each other and themselves at the same time and the manner in which they part are like a poem on celluloid with a thread of pain running through it." Raj Kapoor and Vaheeda Rehamn has given the best performances of their career. Songs are worth listening for hours. A must watch.

Whenever I see this movie, I always have a bad taste towards the modernization of India and how we have been eroded cultural and moral front. This movie is a time stamp of how India was until the 50s and 60s.

As a producer Shailendra the great lyricist had a touch of Saint Kabir in his songs. It is obvious he was inspired by the novel. He picked a great story but not great for masses. Great only only those those who have a heart, romanticism, who have sensitive feelings. The biggest blunder in this work has been his honesty to the novel. Had he changed the ending, this movie would be a super duper hit. The proportion of its legendary stature would have been higher. Now after so many years, this movie has become like rare wine, only appreciated by those who have roots in rural India of the 50s and 60s.

Basu Bhattacharya is from the great Bimal Roy school of cinema-tics and story narration, it shows he was a great student despite this being is first film. The cinematic grammar as to how the characters are introduced, the scene transitions shows good training. However, the main genius is how the actors have absolutely lived their characters to the degree of rural ignorance required, the childish excitements, the rustic innocence and simple though process. I have seen such people when I was child and thus can relate to that mentality. Raj Kapoor was fabulous, he surpassed himself. Waheda too surpassed herself especially in expressing the feminine feelings.

To me this movie represents the fact that the ultimate charm in each of us is our innocence. Waheda Rehman, the dancer, has obviously experienced the ugly and ogling side of lust, commercial thought process can only be charmed by innocence. This is a universal truth.

Teesri Kasam is set in Bihar (well Phanishwar Nath Renu's story was, so it has to be) in a completely rural area. Raj Kapoor plays a bullock cart driver who is almost caught smuggling contraband - this would place the film at the time between the two great wars. He wows to never smuggle; then he gets into an accident carrying bamboo and vows to never carry bamboo again. THEN he is asked to transport a lady from a nautanki company (Waheeda Rehman) to the village fair many miles away. One knows already what his third vow (Teesri Kasam) will end up being. Raj Kapoor is mind-blowing as the rustic, Heeraman. Heeraman is innocent, pure of heart – he only sees good in people. Heerabai (Waheeda) is not innocent by any means. As she meets and spends time with Heeraman one begins to feel that she may be able to recapture what she lost. But in the end she is faced with a difficult choice. Life is a nautanki - can she pretend/play the role of Savitri for the rest of her life? Can she rob Heeraman of his innocence by telling him the truth about herself? Or must she simply play the whimsical female and go away, leaving him hurt but not robbed of his illusions? Iftekhar plays the very young, dapper zamindar who lusts after Heerabai. In fact the entire crowd that watches the nautanki is mesmerized by her every step, every word coming out of her mouth. She is the dream they have never even dared to dream.

The music by Shankar Jaikishan is divine and is mostly set in two settings, either on a slowly moving bullock cart or on a nautanki stage and yet one is never bored - the tunes are amazing, the lyrics soulful and the songs bring a lump to your throat with their poignancy. There is the somber Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo, followed by Sajanwa Bairi Ho Gaye Hamar, the folksy Chalat Musafir Moh Liyo Re, the sad Duniya Banane Wale. Then we have the awesome nautanki numbers starting with Paan Khayen Saaiyan that had me as mesmerized as the crowd of men watching HeeraBai perform! There was a Laila Majnu song and then the most pleasant Mare Gaye Gulfaam, the number full of longing and pain Aaa Aa Bhi Jaa. Added into these real songs was the rustic number Laali Laali Doliya Mein sung by a bunch of children running after the cart - without a word spoken the lead pair conveyed how they longed to be the Dulhaniya and Sajna! Waheeda was luminous, charming, and completely charmed by the simplicity of Heeraman. Her addressing RK as Meeta throughout the film, gave a sense of deep intimacy that was beyond the physical realm. You could sense her virtuosity in dance that was very much restrained as she played the low brow nautanki belle. In the "Laila Majnu" skit she danced unbelievably well in a non Indian classical mode. Lachchu Maharaj choreographed excellent numbers for this film.

RK - okay, he can act. As Heeraman he plays the ingénue but this is not a caricature of a role. When he says Isss - you can sense his embarrassment/disbelief/humor - Mr. Bhansali's Paro tried to copy it but that became a mockery! Raj Kapoor is the simple and genuine villager who believes the best of people and goes to great lengths to protect the honor of one whom he sees as a virtuous woman. You also sense an inherent high quality in the character when he tells you that he will not remarry if it means marrying a 7-8 year old girl! Renu Sahab was advocating reforms and support for the Sharda laws about legal age of marriage for women. He was also telling us that there is an inner core of strength in women, they may be tossed about on the storm of life, but in the end they will prevail and do the right thing.

The film progresses at a languid pace and is shot in black and white. The locales are very real, with the whipped up dust from the rolling carts, wind, flowing water at a river bank where HeeraBai first realizes how simple Heeraman is, earthen huts, tents, sheds, bullock carts – how much more real can it get? Basu Bhattacharya's first directorial venture and the film is simply awesome. He was assisted by none other than Basu Chatterjee. Phanishwar Nath Renu's story and dialogs evoked the times gone by in a simple rural setting. It is no surprise that this film won the National award for best film.

It is not the fluff stuff of today, but lovers of good cinema will find much that is excellent in quality and manages to tug at the heartstrings.