Gumnaam-A Suspense Thriller Film

Ayega Kaun Yahan   

Gumnaam is a Suspense Thriller Film

Year of release 1965                     

Cast

Manoj Kumar-Nanda-Pran-Helen-Madan Puri-Mehmood-

Manmohan-Dhumal-Laxmi Chhaya-Tarun Bose

Producer-N.N. Sippy

Director – Raja Nawathe

Music Director – Shankar Jaikishan

Lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri

Songs

1.Gumnaam Hai Koi, Badnaam Hai Koi

Kisko Khadar, Kaun Hai Woh

Anjaan Hai Koi, Gumnaam Hai Koi

2.Hum Kale Hain To Kya Hua Dilwale Hain

Hum Tere, Tere, Tere Chahane Wale Hain

Hum Kale Hain To Kya Hua Dilwale Hain

3.Jane Chaman, Shola Badan, Pahlu Mein Aa Jao,

O Mere Dil, Mere Humdum, Bahon Mein Aa Jao

4.Peeke Hum Tum Jo Chale Aye Hain Is Mehfil Mein

Ik Naya Rang Jama Denge Hum Is Mehfil Mein

5.Is Duniya Mein Jeena Ho To Sunlo Meri Baat

Gham Chhodke Manalo Rang Reli

Manlo Jo Kahti Thi Kelly

6.Jaan Pehchan Ho, Jeena Asaan Ho

Dil Ko Churane Wale Ankh Na Churao

Naam To Batao, Jaan Pehchan Ho

7.Ayega Kaun Yahan, Kisko Sadayen Deta Hai Dil

8.Ik Ladki Hai Jisne Jeena Mushkil Kar Diya

Woh Tumhi Ho Mahjabi, Woh Tumhi Ho Nazneen

Story

Nanda’s Uncle’s partners are two wealthy men, hires an assassin to murder him, and after killing him informs the victim’s niece, Nanda, of his death, on the phone.

A few days later, Nanda wins a trip to a foreign country with six others: Barrister Pran, Dhumal, Manmohan, Dr.Madan Puri, Taun Bose and Helen. The aircraft carrying the six winners and crew member Manoj Kumar is forced to make an emergency landing at an unknown island. However, as soon as Manoj Kumar and all the passengers alight from the plane, it takes off, leaving everyone stranded.

A mysterious, unseen woman starts singing a song. Gumnaam Hai Koi, Badnaam Hai Koi, Kisko Khabar Kaun Hai Woh, Anjaan Hai Koi (The song is heard at different points in time during the film without the woman being seen.)

The group notices a mansion and enters it. The mansion seems to be unoccupied except for a  Dark butler Mehmood. Dhumal finds a diary that reveals that they are all connected to a crime, and that they all will be killed.

Manoj Kumar discovers Dr. Madan Puri has brought with him a bottle of poison, and Dhumal has brought a dagger. The butler’s actions indicate the presence of an unknown person in the house.

Manoj Kumar starts flirting with Nanda while Barrister Pran and Helen become close. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else.

Manoj Kumar and Nanda find Manmohan’s corpse. The killer has left a note stating that Manmohan had murdered Sohanlal. The group deduces Dhumal killed Manmohan but he pleads innocence. Dhumal is later found dead. Manoj Kumar concludes the culprit is among them.

It becomes clear that everyone in the house was connected to Sohanlal. Helen was Sohanlal’s secretary. Barrister Pran wrote Sohanlal’s will on Khanna’s orders.  Helen sent the will to Barrister Pran on Khanna’s instructions, though neither knew about the other.

Manoj Kumar notices Barrister Pran hiding an axe. Later, Dr. Madan Puri arrives, screaming that Tarun Bose has been killed with an axe. The killer leaves another note stating Tarun Bose was Khanna’s co-conspirator in Sohanlal’s murder.

Manoj Kumar accuses Pran of Tarun Bose’s murder. Dr. Madan Puri catches the butler Mehmood acting suspiciously. He learns the butler’s secret and a scuffle ensues between them. Madan Puri enters the dining room, utters Manoj Kumar’s name, and collapses in the presence of Nanda and Helen. They realise that he has been stabbed. Nanda starts questioning her faith in Manoj Kumar.

Helen goes for a walk by herself and is strangled. Pran and Nanda, searching for Helen, find her corpse. Manoj Kumar’s hat is lying near the corpse. Pran sees Manoj Kumar and starts chasing him, but loses his trail. In a fit of rage, Pran tries to rape Nanda. She escapes but runs into Pran again as he collapses with two daggers in his back. The mansion’s lights go out, which indicates the killer has arrived and that Nanda is next.

The killer approaches her and she faints. He carries her into a secret room and revives her. Tarun Bose, the killer, tells Nanda convinced Dr. Madan  Puri to help him fake his own death. He then murdered the doctor. Manoj Kumar appears and reveals he is a police inspector. Tarun Bose is an escaped convict whose real name is Madanlal.

Tarun Bose reveals that he, Khanna, and Sohanlal were partners in smuggling. However, after Tarun Bose was caught by the police, the other two betrayed him. Khanna then had Sohanlal killed to usurp his share of  money as well. After Tarun Bose was released, he killed Khanna and ensured his targets “won” the lucky draw and took the trip.

Tarun Bose ties up Manoj Kumar and Nanda. However, the butler Mehmood secretly frees Manoj Kumar. As Tarun Bose is about to shoot Nanda with the only bullet, Manoj Kumar attacks him. Tarun Bose escapes the mansion and runs toward the shore. A plane full of policemen arrives and Tarun Bose is arrested. The “ghost” woman who sings the ominous song turns out to be the butler’s mentally ill sister. Manoj Kumar and Nanda, the butler Mehmood and his sister leave on the plane.

Gumnaan a Best Thriller film.

The film’s plot was adopted by Then there were none by Agatha Christe.

Nomination and Awards

S.S. Samel Art Director received Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction

Best Supporting  Female Actor Nomination –Helen

Best Supportting Male Actor Nomination-Mehmood.

Friends, Gumnaam is best Suspense Thriller Film with good actors, story,

screenplay, dialogues, songs and sound design.

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