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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