Khubsoorat

This film is one of my favorites. It's funny, touching, romantic, and pulls you in. It's a light, but well written story about a clash between a young woman who is a free spirit and her sister's mother in law who has lots of strict rules. Well written and believable characters and good conflict. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious. The musical numbers are imaginative, though the songs are not the best. The characters drive the story and keep you interested. You care what happens to them. I wish they had made a sequel because I want to see more of these characters and find out what happens next.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Khubsoorat is fantastic family entertainment, which is thoroughly funny, convincing and enjoyable and just beautiful in its simplicity. I enjoyed every moment of it, including the music, the story, the characters, the acting, and everything else it deals with. Khubsoorat presents the brighter side of Hindi cinema, which is not melodramatic, which is credibly restrained and easy-going. The charm of this little gem comes primarily from its persistent sense of everyday realism, but then it also manages to make a genuine impact on the viewer through its host of relatable characters and particularly its charming main protagonist. As expected, Mukherjee skilfully portrays the life of upper-class urban families, and the acting is accordingly natural and authentic.

The ever-amazing Rekha reveals a lesser-known side of her personality. She foregoes her enigmatic sex-appeal to create an endearingly sassy but sensitive girl-next-door, who is smart and witty and has her values always intact. The result is more than effective - her comic timing is brilliant, and she infuses the part with a kind of zest that makes Manju Dayal very memorable. Ashok Kumar is wonderfully gracious and likable all through as the kindhearted father; Rakesh Roshan and Shashikala support well, but obviously it is Dina Pathak who steals the limelight as the imperious mother. Her dignified presence is, indeed, enjoyably commanding, but even more impressive is the fact that she is very much a real person and never a caricature. Her dynamic with Rekha is great fun to watch.

Indeed, Mukherjee's ability to make a film devoid of showiness and cheesy melodrama is commendable, especially considering the commercial pressures. But the film works, and it relies on the intellectual sensibilities of its potential audience, particularly from India's middle class. It is one of those films which deal with real situations and real people who live normal lives which the average viewer should easily identify with. I must note my favourite sequences towards the climax when Ashok Kumar's character falls ill and Manju diligently looks after him. The scene in which he wakes up and realises she was there all along taking care of him is very moving. All in all, whoever you are, do watch Khubsoorat, it will make you feel much better. A heartwarming classic.

This is movie from a different era - reminds you of the times when the values were different. Joint family and obeying elders were the norm and individuality would take a back seat. Rekha challenges the joint family rules and brings in a fresh breath of life to the stifled family members. Values and lifestyles are changing, albeit slowly, and this movie reminds you of the days when you had fun with such simple things

Rekha and all the cast members do an excellent job in this movie. The characterization is such that you get to know every member of the family. This is one of the best of the simple clean movies of 80's

Rekha in her first breakout role that showed she could carry a full movie on her shoulders no hero required. In many ways can be looked upon as her first move getting out of Big B's shadow into the spotlight on her own. She never looked back after this. Best actress and best film award for that year from Filmfare. Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed, RD helming the music, Asha Bhonsle's hit songs (Piya Banwari), the evergreen Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Roshan fun as always, unforgettable Dina Pathak as the martinet matriarch, and the rest of the cast .....how can you go wrong with this one? Must watch Hindi movie marking the end of the 70s, and the start of the 80s (last hurrah for Bell Bottoms!!). Also the movie marks a kind of high watershed for the sunny, wonderfully pleasant, breezy family friendly movies of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Basu Chatterji etc and the music of RD throughout the 70s. In a couple of years or so Hindi movies would slide into a long dark period of misses and flops especially for Bachhan, and the tone of movies in general would remain dark moody & violent for many years and Hindi film music would hit a low point, as RD faded. First rays of Sunshine would come after QSQT. (Of course Smita Patil was a high point for the 80s,who can forget Mirch Masala?)

Watch this gem keeping all of the above background in mind......

This movie is what I call a must-watch. While it is very natural in its presentation it gives a strong message as well. With all the talk of love and freedom today it becomes even more important to see this movie which goes a step beyond and puts freedom and love in their true perspective - no freedom comes without a sense of responsibility; love alone is not enough, one needs to realize the responsibility that comes with it. This simple but profound wisdom is conveyed with great spontaneity. The movie also teaches about the thin line between rules that help and rules that are uncomfortably binding. All this in one funny, homely three hour package that is a very wholesome entertainer. Absolutely beautiful!