Long before David Dhawan and Priyadarshan started making ordinarily funny films in the name of comedy, there was one man who used to make films that made you feel good about life and laughter, that man was Hrishikesh Mukherjee. His films had a natural humor with the value of family in the background, never ever he tried to make a family look bad together.
Botany professor Parimal Tripathi [Dharmendra] marries Sulekha [Sharmila Tagore] without the presence of the girl’s family members and then plans to introduce himself to them under false pretense. Her wife and few friends support him in this little endeavor and he reaches his in-laws place acting as a driver sent by the professor himself.
The couple thus enjoys the secrecy in their relationship and her family, only consisting of her sister and her brother-in-law [Om Prakash], often finds it offensive seeing Sulekha giggling with the driver, who is actually her husband. This development between Sulekha and the driver grew tension in her brother-in-law and sister’s life and they are worried how professor Parimal will react to this.
Professor Parimal/Driver Pyarelal calls upon his colleague Sukumar [Amitabh Bachchan], who is also like a younger brother to him, to come and act as Sulekha’s husband. The set of events become more laughable once the fake Parimal indulges in a relationship with Vasudha [Jaya Bachchan].
Dharmendra shines as Professor Parimal/Driver Pyarelal and proves that he can do comedy effortlessly and has more shades to his acting skills.
Om Prakash as Ragahvendra plays the 2nd best performance in Chupke Chupke after Dharmendra of course.
Amitabh Bachchan played an extended special appearance in this film, his inability to hold his nerves is brilliantly executed. 1975 was a great year for Amitabh Bachchan because of the back to back hits. Amitabh tasted success with Sholay, Deewaar, Mili and Chupke Chupke all in the same year.
Among others were Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee, all playing their roles to perfection. This film has great music by SD Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi. This is a proper comedy film a family wants to watch together. Although the film focuses on the urban Indian middle class, the narrative was able to communicate with viewers of all society.
Movie Geek's Rating: ★★★★½
Cast: Dharmendra, Om Prakash, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan
Directed by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
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Author: Amritt Rukhaiyaar
[This post is a part of the A to Z Challenge in April 2014. Let's celebrate blogging.]