Gumnaam (translation: Unknown or Anonymous) is a 1965 Indian suspense thriller film directed by Raja Nawathe, starring Manoj Kumar, Nanda, Pran, Helen and Mehmood. The film became a box office hit. The music for the film was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan.
The story is an uncredited adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None.
The film came to wider attention in the Western World when its opening song "Jaan Pehechan Ho" (a Hindi phrase roughly translated as "We should get to know each other") was in the opening credits of Ghost World and in the 2011 commercial "The Date" for Heineken. It is sung by Bollywood legend Mohammed Rafi, although he is not the man depicted onscreen. The main dancer is Laxmi Chhaya. The group "Ted Lyons and his Cubs" playing the song can also be seen in 1964 film Jaanwar playing "Dekho Ab To" (a cover version of I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles) and Tasveer (starring Feroz Khan), Love Marriage (starring Dev Anand), Bedaag (starring Manoj Kumar), Shehnai and Mere Sanam (both starring Vishwajeet) also featuring dancer Oscar Unger. The psychedelic choreography was by Herman Benjamin who is also singing the song onscreen.
Plot[]
Seven people mysteriously win a free vacation. On the way to their destination, the plane has engine trouble and they are left abandoned in a remote seaside location along with the steward Anand (Manoj Kumar). The location is haunted by a female singing a song whom none seem to find.
They find shelter in a large mansion inhabited by a comical butler Mehmood. One by one, they are murdered and the remaining vacationers try to figure out why they were chosen for the trip and what they have in common.
Cast[]
- Nanda as Asha
- Manoj Kumar as Anand
- Pran as Barrister Rakesh
- Helen as Miss Kitty
- Mehmood as The Butler
- Dhumal as Mister Dharamdas
- Madan Puri as Dr. Acharya
- Tarun Bose as Madhusudan Sharma
- Manmohan as Mr. Kishan
- Laxmi Chhaya as Masked Dancer
Soundtrack[]
Shahid Khan gave 9 stars stating, "“Gumnaam” is sometimes unfairly overlooked but I believe that it is one of Shankar-Jaikishan’s best albums".
| Song | Singer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "Jaan Pehechan Ho" | Mohammed Rafi | Picturized on Laxmi Chhaya and choreographer Herman Benjamin; features in the opening credits of Ghost World. Also featured on the CD Bollywood Steel Guitar, a various artists compilation released in 2008 by the Sublime Frequencies record label. |
| "Gumnaam Hai Koi" | Lata Mangeshkar | cover version of title song of Charade (1963 film) by Henry Mancini. |
| "Ek Ladki Hai Jisne Jeena Mushkil Kar Diya" | Mohammed Rafi | Picturized on Manoj Kumar & Nanda |
| "Jaane Chaman Shola Badan" | Mohammed Rafi and Sharda | This song was picturized on Manoj Kumar and Nanda |
| "Peeke Hum Tum Jo" | Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar | This comical druken song was picturized on Nanda and Helen |
| "Is Duniya Mein Jeena Ho To Sunlo Meri Baat" | Lata Mangeshkar | Picturized on Helen |
| "Hum Kaale Hain To" | Mohammed Rafi | Picturized on Helen and Mehmood |
Awards and nominations[]
- Filmfare Nomination for Best Supporting Actress - Helen
- Filmfare Nomination for Best Supporting Actor - Mehmood
- Filmfare Best Art Direction Award- Colour Movie - S.S. Samel