Bawarchi

A cook appears out of the blue as an answer to the prayers of the house members. Little do they know that his arrival would mark a life changing experience for all those who live there. As he reminds them that life is not about the pursuit of individual happiness but about the attainment of this emotion for others. A family who feel they are burdened with problems soon realise that each of them can solve them if the necessary effort is put in. A number of pearls of wisdom are unveiled by their enigmatic employee such as the completion of a task which is not one's own can give a person as much joy as the completion of a persons own task etc lead to the improvement in lifestyle for all concerned. Its the little joys in life which are countless that matter why worry about the larger joys in life which are few & far between? The one person in the household who shares his attitude to life is constantly being exploited by her aunts at her own expense (her education) the cook takes under his wing so she can receive the attention she richly deserves. She blossoms under the supervision of the cook to the surprise of her relatives who simply believed she neither had the talent or the skills to reach the heights that she accomplishes. So all in all a thoroughly insightful feel good movie which should not be missed if enlightenment is your quest...

No other actor at the peak of his career could have tried to do Bawarchie. It is a character which is non glamorous, no action, no romance but yet it was the ability of Super Star Rajesh Khanna that he put up such a sterling performance which will be remembered forever. This Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie suffers from average music but the character of Rajesh Khanna pulls the movie through and the audience comes out thinking.It is a must see for all movie goers as it is a masterpiece. Rajesh Khanna is excellent in the central character and is ably supported by other cast members - Jaya Bachchan,A k Hangal and others. It is inspired by an old Bengali hit and the spirit of Bawarchie continues to live and a no of movies have been made based on similar stories. However, it is a movie of joint families- which hardly exists in today's world. A must see

"It is so simple to be happy but it is so difficult to be simple," quoted Rajesh Khanna in the film. It's simplicity & light hearted movie making of Hrishida which made him one of the most popular film director of India. If I have to choose only one best Indian Director, I will chose him without a single doubt and this isn't any exaggeration at all. His every films I've seen innumerable times & still left with the feeling to watch it again. Hrishida was such a genius director that even big superstars like Big B & Kaka (khanna) agree to do any sort of thing he told them to do. For example in this film, he convinced Big B to narrate the title credits of the film just like a stage play & also convinced Khanna (a Big superstar then) to do a role of home cook(Bawarchi). How Khanna entered in Shanti Niwas & changed the dynamics of a constantly quarreling family into a lovable bonding is just watch worthy. Along with really a fine act of Rajesh Khanna there are few more stalwarts of Hrishda's films like Jaya Bhaduri & Asrani who also shared their light hearted act in this film. I've seen Govinda- David Dhavan's 'Hero no-1' & Sanju Baba Starr 'Khoobsurat'& both are direct rip off of this film but it's always original which stays classic. As one of my friend Digant said to me that this film won't make you laugh louder in the funny scenes but make your face smile from beginning to end. So true.

Recommended to all Hrishida's fans.

Ratings-8/10

The remarkable imaginative profundity of Hirishda to poignantly portray basic moral values which circumvent a whole facet of mundane matters and temperamental grudges has always been the hallmark of this great Bollywood director of the yore.

His characterization of different roles in a sublimely moving fashion was the bedrock of his cinematic genius that led him to craft simple, low budget, non-vulgar movies while posting box office records.

His candid and evocative imagination never felt short/handicapped or at any loss while filming landmark movies like Anand, Abhiman and Bawarchi which are devoid of any obscene depiction which is considered vital for box office success by directors like Raj Kapoor.

It is also pertinent to mention that Rajesh Khanna in the lead role but without a heroine like in Anand (also directed by Hirishda) shall always be remembered for his versatile, soft and morally strong depiction that should not be short of any words. Seeing is indeed believing .......

It is yet another great movie by the legendary director.

A priceless gem directed by Hrishida.

Rajesh Khanna simply mesmerizes everyone with his performance.

The acting by Rajesh Khanna is itself worth the price of the movie.

The story is great with a very nice twist in the climax.

Enough talking about this film, just go and watch it.

Trust me, you are not going to regret it.

P.S.:-If you like Hrishida's films you can also watch Anand. Sometimes I really wonder if India is ever, ever going to get a great director like Hrishida ! I really hope it gets !