Bawarchi is a gem of a movie that conveys a lot without actually saying much. Hrishikesh Mukherjee is the real Bawarchi (Chef) here. He selects the right recipe (the story), brings the right ingredients (actors and technicians), adds the right spices (music, drama and a O'Henry-esqe twist) and just lets all of them simmer under his watchful eye.
I cant think of a better casting for such a beautiful story. The correct mix of star power of Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bhaduri (Bachchan) and Amitabh Bachchan (as the sutradhaar or the narrator) and highly under-rated character actors like A.K. Hangal, Asrani and even Paintal.
The story by Tapan Sinha is a timeless classic. It is true even today where the joint-family system may have disintegrated but the sibling fights, day-to-day strife and dependence on domestic help still continue. Gulzar, the master word-smith, weaves his magic in the dialogs (Special mention- 'It's so simple to be happy but so difficult to be simple').
Today, more than ever, we realize and miss such simple movies.
I cant think of a better casting for such a beautiful story. The correct mix of star power of Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bhaduri (Bachchan) and Amitabh Bachchan (as the sutradhaar or the narrator) and highly under-rated character actors like A.K. Hangal, Asrani and even Paintal.
The story by Tapan Sinha is a timeless classic. It is true even today where the joint-family system may have disintegrated but the sibling fights, day-to-day strife and dependence on domestic help still continue. Gulzar, the master word-smith, weaves his magic in the dialogs (Special mention- 'It's so simple to be happy but so difficult to be simple').
Today, more than ever, we realize and miss such simple movies.