Chhoti Si Baat

Okay.First off a disclaimer.I am from the other side of the divide.The faction that believes that Bollywood comedies are sparse and stilted. But this movie is different.Coming from someone who is steeped in the tremendous comic timings of the southern movies this is indeed a very formidable feat.

The setting,Mumbai in the early 70s I think,is nostalgic.One does not have to be born there nor have experienced it to get this feeling.It is plain nostalgic.Take a 1970 Reader's Digest and flip through the pages. The bell bottomed Male models,the polka dotted saris and the large ortem fans are what one sees in the movie.

Amol Palekar and the lead heroine(I think Someone named Vidhya) are delightful to watch as the quintessential young shy middle class people with a feeling towards each other.The villain/comic Nasrani is also irritating to the right degree and begging for a comeuppance from the meek hero.Amol Palekar's "revenge dreams" are awesome in their humour. This movie is a must for everyone who likes classic clean comedy.Amazing stuff.Why don't they make such movies now in Bollywod?

Undoubtedly one of the funniest Hindi films of all time, giving a nostalgic look at young and urbane 70s Bombay. Palekar is brilliant as the quintessential idiot in love with Vidya Sinha, but unable to express his love for her. Asrani is an excellent rival, sliming his way into the girl's heart. But there's a trump card - up in the hills is a learned oldie Ashok Kumar who has a devious plan of action in mind - to give Palekar the one-up on Asrani. Few have seen this film, and I'm yet to come across anyone who disputes that this rates as one of the best comedies to ever come out on the Indian silver screen.

Firstly, this movie for me was a great 70s nostalgia trip: The Fort district of Bombay, Dadar Hindu Colony, Scooters, Flora Restaurant (The Best and probably the only Chinese Restaurant in Bombay those days- But I've never used chopsticks there!), the old BEST Double-Deckers, the bell-bottoms, Amol Palekars' glasses, Jehangir Art Gallery, and Samovar. They missed out Rhythm House, Flora Fountain, and Chetana, but well, it didn't matter. Whatever was served, was enough. Secondly, the nostalgia was not in stark B & W of Guru Dutt's 50s, but in glorious Color, which brought out even the shiny, worn flagstones on the footpath in a unique, fresh, perspective, a unique shade of gray that only color could do. All this to say that my youth was re-lived, real-life. Thirdly, the protagonists: Young, Fresh-Faced, Natural, Lovely, Naive, in love- yet shy enough to express it, and how they get together, it was all so simple, and the contrast is yet so apparent when compared to todays' Bollywood Kitsch. Fourthly, to realize that Nostalgia dies with the death of a Generation; How Col. Singh has his own deep memories of an age that would have been ancient for the protagonists themselves! I never realised then, but right now, I'm old(er) and the young 'uns cannot 'get it' when I'm nostalgic. Fifthly, This movie is about Bombay, and the spirit of Bombay, and kudos to Basu-da and Salil-da for their glorious effort.

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???

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.