Chhoti Si Baat ( 1975)

 

Chhoti Si Baat (1975)

A film released in 1975 that has perhaps remained an evergreen through the decades, Chhoti Si Baat, is the perfect example of how simple story telling with great characters and equally impressive and memorable performances can sail through the test of time and become an all -time classic irrespective of budget or absence of any known face. Chhoti Si Baat has been one of my favorites from the 70’s.

I had come across this film on television in the late nineties during my teens and the film and its story telling has stayed with me since that time. During those years, when ever I got an opportunity, I would surely watch the film on television and in the later years, I surely watch it on the web channels.

The film narrates the story of a young gentleman, Arun, simple and unsmart, brilliantly portrayed by Amol Palekar sir, who has a liking for the film’s female lead, Prabha, played innocently by Vidya Sinha. In between them is a colleague played dashingly by Asrani. The narrative leads the story to a point where in Arun feels like a loser as he tries to woo Prabha. This feeling of a loser, takes him to an unchartered territory of meeting a coach, Col Julius Nagendranath. The rest of the story follows how Arun turns around his life with the help of the coach and wins the heart of Prabha ultimately getting married.

The narrative of the film is simple yet entertaining. The large chunk of moments in the film featuring different characters connects with the audience. The writing of the film has been done in such a manner that the audience would feel part of the story. Many of the moments in the film are actual replica of the events that may have occurred with majority of viewers.

This is one more film from the 70’s which has been extensively shot in outdoor locations of those years. Watching the script unfold in the lanes and alleys of the mid 70’s Mumbai is a nostalgia in itself. I am sure that majority of audience from the city of Mumbai would identify the locations where the film has been shot. Those were the years and those were the time. The bus stop, the lanes and alleys, the two to three storey houses and of course the office structure.  A company by the name of Jackson Tolaram & Co plays a pivotal role in the narrative. The audience will surely enjoy the introduction of the film that showcases the trend of Jackson Tolaram & Co when it comes to love marriages and the film’s protagonist, Arun, works in the same company.

 The music of the film has remained evergreen since those years. It’s not a surprise that the music can still be heard on the reels and shorts of the current times. That's the impact the music, the lyrics and the story that unfolds in the songs has had. Each song has a story to convey.  The performances of the actors through the songs are memorable and yet simple and connecting. The music has given by the veteran Salil Choudhary and each song has stayed relevant through the years. The peppy “Janeman Janeman” where in the character of Arun dreams, is innocently entertaining or the soulful “Na Jaane Kyon” is shot brilliantly.

Coming to the performances, this is Amol Palekar sir’s most memorable performance. The acting is simple yet so real. The viewer would instantly connect with the character’s innocence and intent. I guess most of us would have gone through conflict that the character of Arun faces through the first half of the film. Vidya Sinha’s performance is equally impressive. Ashok Kumar is almost a revelation in the role.  I think the second half is carried all through by Ashok Kumar and Asrani. Asrani played a different kind of role in the narrative, dashing and typical bully making kind of character who gets hassled and confused in the second half.

Another aspect of the film that refreshes the viewer is the colour grading of the film. The movie appears very fresh with respect to the colors used in the editing and cinematography stage. It gives a feeling of refreshment to the viewer.

The film has been directed by Basu Chatterjee. The ace film maker is known for strong story telling with impactful characters and Chhoti Si Baat is not different. The dialogues are also been written partly by Basu Chatterjee.

Chhoti Si Baat is one of those films that can make you feel positive about life. It will make one cheerful and look towards the good aspects of life. A highly recommended film to watch and enjoy.