Chhoti Si Baat

The year was 1975 and Bollywood was enjoying with a lot of masterpices like Deewar,Chupke Chupke,Mili,Sholay,Juli,Aandhi. In the midst of all them a film was released which might not get that much attention but which is equally deserving called "Choti si baat".

I remember watching that movie for the first time on TV when I was in my 10th standard but i din't able to see the complete movie So, recently (after 10 years) i downloaded and watched it again and came with the Conclusion -> "Choti si baat" is perhaps the best Comedy movie of that(70's) decade and What makes it Class apart is it's simplycity. It masterfully tells one of the most important stories of the 70's which is about middle class.

I normally do not write about movies and I do not think movie like this should be critiqued.it should just be appreciated. Choti si baat is the most impressive movie by the director "Basu Chatterjee" his other movies like "Rajnigandha" "Manzil" and "Ek ruka hua Faisla" that also shows his directional sensitivity. But this is a movie which speaks more than it scripts. It tells us more than its characters narrates the story.

Choti si baat is set to give the audience an intimate look at the very soul of Arun's Character.Ashok kumar is fantastic as Col. Julius Nagendranath, You cannot think of any other actor in this role.Asrani is also very impressive and according to me this is his finest performance. Vidya Sinha was better in Rajnigandha but it does not mean she is not Good in this, She Performed the character of Prabha very well.But it's actually Amol palekar who set aside everyone in the acting department,he played the role of Arun exceptionally.

"Choti si baat" tells us how a man decided not to live like a Coward. The music of the movie is its another strongest part. I don't remember how many times I have watched this movie since then but each time is an experience in itself.Choti si baat belongs to the genre of movies which gives you more than what you expect in the 120 minutes.

A light and funny movie about a very simple and shy man going to a love-guru to learn the tactics of how to impress a female. A pretty nice comedy. Moreover, it also brings up the question about how fair it is to use pre-thought/learnt techniques to get the love of one's life. Can't one just be natural and still get one???

This movie is all about a shy boy & a girl who taunts him but is actually in Love with him. Amol Palekar the hero keeps following her (Vidya Sinha), she knows he follows her all the way to her office, she enjoys his attention, at times she tries to draw his attention more by asking for time & all but the too timid hero does not react immediately but keeps rehearsing in front of his mirror at home. Amol Palekar meets an Army colonel retd. (Ashok Kumar) who has started a personality development school in Khandala a hill station near Bombay. He teaches Amol Palekar to increase his self esteem & be confident in his approach. Choti Si Baat is a very neat Love story & also a very good motivating movie. A Must watch for all movie goes in the world.

The flip side is - too many visualisations (The hero keeps visualising sequences like Vidya hugging him & all) this could easily have been done away with.

The added bonus to a wonderful movie is the songs, especially the one by Hema & Dharmendra.

Just watched this film after 14 years and loved it just as much. CSB is is one of those simple experimental fantastic films from 70's which Indian filmmakers have not tried in the last 25 years. I think Golmal and Angoor were the last of this genre.

Script of CSB is unbeatable and doesn't deviate for even a second from its aim. Casting is perfect. Vidya Sinha is very good as a good looking middle class office going woman in Mumbai. Male cast is brilliant. With Ashok Kumar, Amol Palekar and Asrani you don't need anyone.Do you? In case you need then there is ever dependable CS Dubey. Dialogs are funny and situation are unique. Music by Salil Chowdhray is fantastic but I wont guarantee if its original. SalilDa was also good at inspired music :>

I couldn't stop noticing vacant Mumbai streets. 'Janeman' is very well shot with extras doing there own stuff while Amol and Vidya romancing around. Fantastic idea. I just loved the scene where Arun have his first conversation with Prabha and Nagesh just turns everything upside down. It captures the concept that when things go wrong they go wrong in quick succession. Its very well done. Colonel's analysis or Arun is hilarious 'improper conditioning and defective verbal communication', 'unstable self evasiveness', 'love labor lost case', 'unstable para nautical frustration'. Damn funny. Asrani is so good in his downfall scenes "Sala Peter Kaam Chod Ke Chala Gaya?", "Kahna Nagesh Sahab Ka Order Hai". Amol's best line is "Khade Ho Or Kaho Good Morning". Fantastic film. definitely in the top 25 Hindi films and of course best Basu Chatterjee.

This film beautifully captures Bombay in 70s, office going middle class, Bus 86 from Khar to Fountain (btw it still runs the same route!), conman, greenery of Khandala, awkwardness of relationship from acquaintances to love. Kudos to late Sharad Joshi for witty dialogues, to late KK Mahajan for showcasing Bombay through eyes of a commoner. Excellent cast led by Dadamoni & Amol ji. This film released in 1975 is enjoyed by ten yr child today. That's a classic. It has endured.