CHHOTI SI BAAT

Directed by: Basu Chatterjee
Cast: Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha, Asrani & Ashok Kumar


It was a perfect Sunday I always wanted to spend. Sitting lazily on the couch and watching an old film from 70s. I am a big fan of Basu Chatterji and his style of film making. That’s why I chose to watch “Chhoti Si Baat” starring Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha, Ashok Kumar and Asrani. Chhoti si Baat was released in mid seventies when most of us were not even born.

Chhoti Si Baat is a story of Amol Palekar a middle class bachelor who works in a private firm. He is very shy and low on confidence. Following the tradition of his company of doing love marriages by all its employees, he also falls in love with a girl (Vidya Sinha). The girl he sees everyday at a bus stop, in bus and en-route to his office. He follows her everyday but is damn scared of talking to her. Vidya takes notice of this and also start liking him. But the problem is how to start a conversation? After an incident he collects all his courage and starts conversation with her. Here enters Asrani, friend of Vidya. Amol finds him Kabab mei haddi because he a street smart guy and expert in all the fields. Now starts a series of hilarious situations between these three where Asrani shows his smartness and how he makes Amol feel jealous. After loosing all hopes to get Vidya and express his love, he goes to take lessons for personality development from retired army major Ashok Kumar. Rest of the film is about how he gets lessons and then how he implements them to woo Vidya. As in all Hindi films hero gets the heroin.

Although the story is very simple and straight however, the execution and storytelling is the highpoint of the film. How a very simple situation makes you laugh out is the beauty of the film. Basuda’s direction is topnotch as always. The most important thing I like about him is expertise of showcasing everyday middle class life which is still untouched by any of the director even after decades.

Sitting in 2008 and watching Mumbai of 70’s in the film is an experience in itself which gives a nostalgic feeling. Empty roads, buses, trains, fashion, offices, telephones, lifestyle, buildings, cars or anything for that matter of those years is a pleasure to watch. Everything leaves an impression which can’t be erased from your memory soon. For instance no one can even forget the name of the company “Jackson Tolaram & Sons” where Amol Palekar works.

Music of the film is not as popular as other Basuda’s films, only the title song is a track to remember. Amol Palekar is top grade and portrays the role of a shy bachelor with perfection. His style and acting is another highlight of the film. Vidya Sinha fits the role of a conservative middle class girl. Asrani is perfectly casted for the role. Ashok Kumar as army major and personality development trainer is pleasure to watch.

Chhoti Si Baat is a very plain simple comedy without any over the top performances as seen in today’s comedy film. It’s a perfect treat for yourself if you like this kind of cinema. I can assure that it will be two and a half hours well spent on any of your holiday. Go for it, its available at any of the VCD/DVD store for a price of as low as Rs. 49. For seriously interested, I will be happy to give out my copy also.

Rating: ****

My Review - "Tashan"

A film from Yashraj banner, wow! Everybody waits for it, audiences and film fraternity. After all a yashraj film is a yashraj film. Other producers adjust their releases and give Yashraj a clean run. This time also same thing happened; Tashan was released with an expectation to be biggest blockbuster ever. I also went and saw the film “first day last show”, despite of getting 2 different seats for me and my friend.

As the film began and titles rolled out, my heart was jumping and my excitement was over the moon because Tashan has a dream cast of Akshay Kumar, Saif, Kareena, Anil Kapoor and a director who has written films like Dhoom and Dhoom 2. Finally the film began and I started to find a great story to unfold in front of my eyes. However, what I was seeing was some great locations, good styling, good clothes, indigestible stunts and that’s it. I pinched and told myself chu*** its just the beginning and the real story will start now. I was consoled for the moment. I started concentrating (in anticipation of a story) on jumping locations. without continuity, kareena’s dance, bikinis, zero size (zero sized clothes too), Saif’s moustaches, Anil Bhiaya’s crude English (which might persuade many to commit suicide) and Bachchan Pande’s (Akshay) Colgate white teeth. An idea he should start endorsing the toothpaste brand now. In between I also discovered a new route to Haridwar from Mumbai via Laddakh and Greece. What learning! Suddenly “the intervals” happened, I was shocked and could not stand up from seat as there was Fevicol on it. My friend came from other corner of the theatre, and after knowing my situation he tried consoling me by saying “ Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost”.

Just thinking about picture abhi bakki hai, I missed my favorite theatre Samosa for the first time ever. Reels were rolling again and scenes with no connections to each other were coming on the screen. There was a childhood love story of Akshay, there were Main Khiladi Tu Anadi inspired sequences between Akshay and Saif, there was Bhaiyaji’s (Anil Kapoor) cruelty, there was revenge seeking Kareena, there were action sequences from eighties hindi films to latest hollywood films, there were blasts and there were blah blah blah. Every other thing except for a story, a proper screenplay and an effort to make a decent film I found there. But by this time I ran out of my patience and started abusing my self for selecting to watch this film over IPL match and some faltu reality show on TV.

It was 12.45 in the night but picture abhi bhi baaki thi mere dosto. At that moment my mind decided to take over my heart and chose not to sacrifice my sleep over this torture which was never ending. After that what happened I don’t know, only thing I know that my friend came and woke me up. Thank god, the screen was blank and seats were empty, the only moment I felt happy in last 3 hours.

I find everyone lucky who could not watch this film because of tussle between Yashraj and multiplexes. They should sincerely thank multiplexwalas for saving their hard earned money.

A piece of advice for Chopra’s, please don’t take us for granted now. Only the name Yashraj Films will not work anymore.

Another advice for all of you seeking revenge from your enemies, buy and gift him /her tickets of “Tashan”.

Rating: 0 (generously)