Woh Kaun Thi? is a 1964 Indian Hindi-language mystery thriller film directed by Raj Khosla. Film was loosely inspired by Wilkie Collins’ gothic mystery novel The Woman in White. The film stars Sadhana, Manoj Kumar, and Prem Chopra in key roles. The original screenplay was written by Dhruva Chatterjee, parts of it were later revised, with actor Manoj Kumar actively contributing to the rewrites.

On a stormy night, Dr. Anand picks up a mysterious woman who calls herself “no one” and leads him to a cemetery, where strange things begin with the haunting song “Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim.” Soon after, Anand learns he will inherit a fortune, but only if he stays mentally stable, even though his family has a history of mental illness. As more eerie events trouble him, people question his sanity. At the same time, his colleague Dr. Lata loves him quietly, but Anand is in a relationship with Seema, who suddenly dies from poisoning. Suspicion falls on Lata and her father, deepening the mystery, as Anand wonders if he’s being tricked or losing his mind.

Dr. Anand is called to an old mansion for an emergency, but when he arrives, the patient is already dead and shockingly, it’s the same mysterious woman he had picked up earlier, who had led him to a cemetery. When he tells the police, they say the mansion has been empty for years and is believed to be haunted. Other doctors have also seen a ghostly woman there who disappears or is later found dead. Later, Anand reads that the same woman died in a train accident, leaving him confused about what is real. After Seema’s death, Anand agrees to marry a girl named Sandhya, but on the wedding night, he is shocked—she looks exactly like the strange woman from that stormy night.

Haunted by how much Sandhya looks like the mysterious woman, Dr. Anand starts pulling away from her. He is shocked when she paints the same old mansion he had visited, even though she says she’s never seen it. Things get stranger when she hums “Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim,” the same spooky song he once heard near the cemetery. Later, Anand sees an empty boat floating on the lake while the same song plays again. One evening, Sandhya comes to his hospital, sings “Lag Ja Gale Se Phir,” and asks him to drive her. Just like before, the wipers stop working, and she calmly guides him through the fog. They reach the haunted bungalow, and he takes her to the room where he had once seen her dead but she suddenly disappears. Confused, Anand rushes home, only to find Sandhya already there. His mother says she never left the house.

Worried by strange events, Anand sends Sandhya away. After hearing about a train accident, he is shocked to see her alive that night, which makes him more confused and scared. Sent to Shimla to rest, a monk tells him a story about a spirit waiting for her true love. Anand believes he is that love. When he sees Sandhya again singing the spooky song, he tries to reach her but is stopped by Dr. Lata. In the end, Anand finds two Sandhyas one is fake and dies in a fight. His cousin Ramesh admits he planned everything to steal Anand’s money. The “ghost” is actually Sandhya’s lost twin sister. With the truth out, Anand is safe and happily reunites with the real Sandhya.

The very first scene of film is set on a dark, stormy night where Raj Khosla skillfully creates a feeling of mystery and suspense. Using simple yet effective elements like foggy roads, creaking doors, an empty mansion, and a strange woman appearing out of nowhere, he sets the tone for the entire film. Khosla’s direction plays a key role in building a tense and eerie mood that keeps the audience curious and engaged. Through twists, clues, and surprises, he presents the story in a way that makes viewers question what’s real and what’s not, making Woh Kaun Thi? a gripping and memorable suspense thriller.

A major highlight of the film is Sadhana’s compelling dual performance as twin sisters one angelic, the other enigmatic showcasing both her acting range and screen presence. Her haunting beauty and restrained expressions perfectly suit the film’s eerie tone. Sandhya a mysterious, ghostly woman dressed in white, who keeps appearing in eerie circumstances on a rainy night, in graveyards, or singing haunting songs (“Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim”).

Sadhana plays Seema, Dr. Anand’s wife, who looks exactly like the mysterious Sandhya, deepening the suspense and Anand’s confusion. Her nuanced performance balancing innocence, mystery, and subtle menace makes her the emotional and enigmatic core of the film.

Manoj Kumar plays Dr. Anand, a respected doctor haunted by a mysterious woman’s appearances, leading him to question his sanity. As eerie events unfold, he becomes entangled in a psychological mystery. Manoj Kumar anchors the film with a controlled and intense performance as a man trapped between logic and illusion.

Prem Chopra plays Ramesh, Dr. Anand’s seemingly supportive cousin who is, in reality, the mastermind of a sinister plot to drive Anand insane and seize his inheritance. Charming on the surface, Ramesh is deceptive and calculating, delivering a classic villainous performance.

Cinematography by K. H. Kapadia was the person responsible for the camera work how the film was shot, lighting, and the overall visual look of the movie. Edited by D. N. Pai was the editor who cut and joined the scenes together to create the final version of the film.

The lyrics of the songs in Woh Kaun Thi? were beautifully penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, and the hauntingly melodious music was composed by Madan Mohan. This collaboration resulted in some of the most iconic and evergreen songs.

The song “Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim” was sung beautifully by Lata Mangeshkar. Her voice gives the song a spooky and mysterious feeling, which fits the suspenseful story of the film very well.

The film won the Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography (Black & White), awarded to K.H. Kapadia for his excellent camera work and nominated for Best Music Director, Best Actress.

Photos courtesy Google. Excerpts taken from Google.