A joint family in the late 60’s or early 70’s till late 80’s was quite the common sight in India. There were kothisbuilt with the intention of all the brothers living togtehr with their respective better halves and children.
Such kothi’s were normally full of maid servants to do the various chores of the house and then assist the daughters-in-laws and also kitchen work!
*1972, Hrishida churned a different servant, BAWARCHI, chef, for a household that was typical of the time and his idea today remains timeless!
Hrishida, is better known for his comic sense and classic direction. His classics include Satyakam, Anupama, Chupke Chupke, Anand(Big B’s big break) and many more! He was a man alone in his class and very few people till date have attempted his manner of making and story writing as it had the elements of comic relief with a huge moral society message! It sinks in faster! No wonder than sucha great man had been Chairing the CBFC and NFDC as Chairman and was also finally awarded the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for excellence in cinema in 1999.
Bawarchi, The Chef.
*Simple premise of a new man, a chef, Bawarchi, who enters the household of a family going its own way and the deja vu that the family faces with the help of this character.
*The Cast
Rajesh Khanna **Raghu
Jaya Bhaduri Krishna
Durga Khote Badi Maa
Usha Kiran Choti Maa
H Chatopadhyay Daduji
A K Hangal Munna
Asrani Babbu
*The Story
Shanti Nivas. The name replicates the living of the people who occupy it! But here, the peace is slowly shattering. The daughters-in-laws have a grudge building inside them and so the Sharma **family is now experiencing a little turmoil and some rebellion.
Munna and his wife have a way of life and so does his brothers. Kashinath, Kali Banerjee and Babbu have a different agenda. Both have good jobs but have now also got their egos tied up in knots and cannot see eye to eye. Babbu on the other hand is an aspiring musician and is all but ready to sing at the drop of a hat! The feud in between brothers is partially because of the earnings, the wives and of course Daduji, the eccentric grand daddy who is constantly bickering and is obstinate as a mule! The Sharma’s household is minus a chef.
*Enter Raghu.
*He offers to fill in the void of the family chef and is quickly absorbed in the household. Raghu by nature is a very entertaining man and is a fast learner too. he quickly assesses the people of the family and starts serving them everything that they desire.
*The montage of Raghu cleaning the dirty areas of the house, cleaning utensils and cutting veggies at the speed of light is very amusingly dsepicted. It hepls viewers to understand the ability of Raghu and very quickly. tantarra.
Krishna, is a bubbly cheerful daughter of Kashinath and is also talented. The song, Bhor ayee gaya andhiara**., a classical rendition by the family ladies is a classic to listen to and a happy song to mark the entry of Raghu in the household!
Small things that Raghu takes care of;
Munna has a habit of sitting with his drink in the evening after work, Raghu promptly fries some garam pakodas and serves them hot. tantarra.
Kashinath is an emotional man and so with a little jugglery he passes on messages that his elder brother wants to share soem time with him and has got his favorite mithai melts Kashis’ heart and the brothers hug each other. **tantarra.
Babbu wants to showcase a song that he has composed and Raghu organises for the family to get together and witness the programme in which krishna sings and dances as well with the daughters-in-laws**. kahe kanhaa karat bar jori. tantarra.
These are instances where raghu with his presence of mind gets a family thats drifting apart to come together.
Raghu even gets the better of the old eccentric Daduji. He serves Dadu’s favorite flavored tea every day morning at the time Dadu needs it! tantarra.
*All the while he is eyeing the trunk lying below Dadu’s bed!One fine day, the trunk is open and Raghu . nowhere to be seen.
*Who was Raghu? Was he a common thief, who was intelligent and robbed them? How did he learn about the family jewels lying in the trunk?.
Rajesh Khanna is marvellous in a typical white gandhi topi, a khakhi shirt and shorts(a la Dada Kondke). His mischievous smile and his delivery of dialogues is simply magnificient. No wonder he had the largest female fan following till Rajendra kumar took his place! Versatile and very naughty. **unforgettable actor indeed!
A K Hangal, Asrani, Shobha Khote were fantastic in the supporting cast.
Jaya Bhaduri(Bachchan) **as the bubbly, cheerful Krishna brings a breath of fresh air in the film. She has been very talented and has fitted roles like a T.
*Music by Madan Mohan saab. Should I even elaborate here? Speechless.
Gulzaarsaab had assisted Hrishida in writing this script and Hrishida had directed this classic film. Producers N C Sippy and Romu Sippy. Need I say more.
This is the same producer who had made Padosan! Watch this film for its sheer novelty in script, classic star cast and of course songs that you can remember and listen to anytime. **TIMELESS. is my verdict for this film.
ps I have been reminded by Sandipan that this film is a remake from Bengali film "Golpo Holeo Sotti" by Tapan Sinha.
ps Another correction. Badi Maa is Durga Khote and not Shobha, . Thanks Subhashji!*