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‘Chupke Chupke’ : A Timeless Classic of Wit and Warmth turns 50

Starcast: Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Om Prakash, David, Usha Kiron, Asrani, Keshto Mukherjee and Lily Chak...


Starcast: Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Om Prakash, David, Usha Kiron, Asrani, Keshto Mukherjee and Lily Chakraborty

Direction: Hrishikesh Mukherjee

Music: S.D. Burman

“Chupke Chupke”, released on April 11, 1975, is a gem of Hindi cinema that continues to charm the audience decades after its release. Directed by the legendary Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the film is a delightful blend of humor, intellect, and heart, which stands tall in the pantheon of Bollywood's greatest comedies. Notably, “Chupke Chupke” is a remake of the 1966 Bengali film “Chhadmabeshi”, also based on the same story by Upendranath Ganguly. With a stellar cast including Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, and Usha Kiran, the film remains a masterclass in situational comedy and clean entertainment.

Storyline

The plot revolves around Professor Parimal Tripathi (Dharmendra), a witty and mischievous botany professor who enjoys intellectual humour. After marrying Sulekha (Sharmila Tagore), he learns of her admiration for her highly intellectual brother-in-law, Raghavendra (Om Prakash). To humble him and also to have some harmless fun, Parimal devises a plan where he pretends to be a rustic, Hindi-obsessed driver named Pyare Mohan, sent by Parimal himself, and enters Raghavendra’s household.

What follows is a riot of confusion, comic misunderstandings, and identity swaps. Parimal’s friend, Professor Sukumar Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan), is roped in to pretend to be the real Parimal, leading to a series of hilariously orchestrated events. The story thrives on clever dialogues, situational humour, and character-driven comedy rather than slapstick, making it timeless and rewatchable.

Direction and Technical Departments

Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s direction is the film’s beating heart. His ability to find humour in everyday situations, coupled with a light yet insightful narrative style, makes “Chupke Chupke” immensely enjoyable. Mukherjee’s direction never overwhelms with exaggeration; instead, he maintains a fine balance between intellect and entertainment. He skillfully manages multiple characters and parallel comedic situations, all while keeping the story coherent and engaging.

The cinematography by Jaywant Pathare is simple yet effective, capturing the domestic settings and outdoor sequences with warmth. The editing by Subhash Gupta ensures that the film’s pace remains crisp, with no unnecessary diversions. The dialogues, especially those loaded with clever wordplay in pure Hindi, are a major highlight and contribute heavily to the film's cult status.

Music

The music of “Chupke Chupke”, composed by the legendary S.D. Burman, complements the film’s tone beautifully. The songs are melodious, light, and situational, with lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi. Tracks like “Sa Re Ga Ma”, the title song and “Ab Ke Sajan Sawan Mein” have a lyrical simplicity that enhances the mood of the film rather than interrupting it. The background score is subtle, helping to underscore the humour and emotional beats without being overbearing.

Performances

The film boasts of a powerhouse ensemble, each actor delivering a performance that enhances the film's comic richness.

Dharmendra delivers one of his finest comic roles as Parimal/Pyare Mohan. His impeccable timing, expressions, and use of chaste Hindi create endless hilarity and show his versatility as an actor.

Sharmila Tagore as Sulekha brings elegance and warmth, matching Dharmendra’s mischief with grace and charm.

 Amitabh Bachchan, in a relatively subdued and straight-faced role as Sukumar, proves his range. His nervousness in the fake identity and romantic chemistry with the talented and effective.

Jaya Bachchan (Vasudha) is endearing and natural.

Om Prakash is outstanding as the pompous and self-assured Raghavendra. His reactions, slowly transitioning from confident to confused, are a treat to watch.

Supporting roles by Usha Kiran and David provide able support and ensure that even the smaller roles leave an impact.

“Chupke Chupke” is more than just a comedy; it is a celebration of wit, language, and relationships. With Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s deft direction, sharp writing, memorable music, and pitch-perfect performances, the film continues to hold a special place in the hearts of cinephiles. It not only pays homage to its source “Chhadmabeshi”,  but arguably surpasses it in mainstream appeal. Fifty years later, “Chupke Chupke” remains a shining example of intelligent, clean humour that transcends time and continues to inspire generations.

-       By Ayushmaan Mitra

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