Chhoti Si Baat

Plot synopsis:
Chhoti Si Baat is a romantic comedy about a painfully shy young man Arun Pradeep (Amol Palekar), who lacks self-confidence and fails to stand up for his convictions, in the process letting all and sundry walk all over him. One fine day he comes across Prabha Narayan (Vidya Sinha) at the bus stop en route to work and it's love at first sight... for Arun that is. Lacking enough courage and unsure if his feelings are reciprocated, he pines for her from afar and follows her around, at a safe distance (or so he thinks). Prabha, fully aware of his affections, secretly relishes his discomfort, while waiting for him to make the first move.
While Arun is hopelessly stuck, in comes the suave, brash Nagesh Shastri (Asrani), a colleague of Prabha's, and emerges a serious rival for her attention. It doesn't help that he appears to be miles ahead of Arun in the "race" and is all that Arun is not: He's gregarious while Arun is shy, he's confident and boastful, while Arun is besieged with self-doubt, he's smooth, while Arun is awkward, he's street smart, while Arun's naïve, he's assertive while Arun is timid. Plus he owns a scooter and ensures that he has opportunities to offer Prabha a ride, while Arun can only look on. A gullible Arun, trying to match Nagesh with a motorbike of his own, is conned into buying a dud, further embarrassing him in front of Prabha. He seeks salvation in astrology, tarot cards, dubious godmen only to land with egg on his face.
In desperation, he finally turns to Colonel Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh (Ashok Kumar) of Khandala, who has made it his mission to assist those in love find their true destiny. Colonel Singh agrees to help Arun and thus begins the turnaround as Singh begins to mould Arun into a mature, confident young man through meticulously designed lesson plans, peppered with philosophy and "hands on" training. A "born-again" Arun returns to Bombay with a distinguished swagger, brimming with newly discovered self-esteem, ready to take on the world and win over Prabha.
=== Cast ===
Amol Palekar as Arun Pradeep
Vidya Sinha as Prabha Narayan
Ashok Kumar as Colonel Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh
Asrani as Nagesh Shastri
Nandita Thakur as Deepa
Rajendra Nath as Maunibaba
C. S. Dubey as Gurnaam, garage owner
Komila Virk as Col. Singh's assistant
Farooque as Shorty
Manmohan as villain in song " janeman janeman"
Sujit Kumar as Villain in a song "Janeman Janeman"
Dharmendra as Guest, in a song " janeman janeman"
Hema Malini as Guest, in a song " janeman janeman"
Amitabh Bachchan as Guest appearance
Zarina Wahab
Rajan Haksar
Devendra Khandelwal
Monty

Tags: romantic

Review:
Amol Palekar plays Arun, a diffident simpleton who likes a girl from a neighboring office but isn't able to profess his adoration for his object of affection and attention.
The problem of the girl's inexplicable behavior (in Arun's mind) is further increased by the entry of a third factor- a glib talking, over smart and overbearing character of Asrani who happens to be a colleague of Prabha and is therefore, ostensibly at an advantage.
In the first act itself, there ensues a battle of wits between Arun and Asrani.
While Arun's motives in winning over Prabha are pretty unambiguous, Asrani's motivations are not that apparent to the audience.
He emerges as a roadblock in Arun's journey of love and in a memorable dream sequence, several of which are used very innovatively throughout the film, Arun imagines himself murdering him and then facing the jury proudly after his belligerent deed.
In reality, he is unable to express his feelings of love for Prabha.
When you're here, all those words they seem to slip away" That Harrison Song from 1967's legendary 'Revolver' album, perfectly captures Arun's inner torment and turmoil in the first half of the film.
Therefore, he decides to seek help and finds that in the form of Col. JNW Singh of Khandala, a confident, worldly wise, old man who is said to have the best advise for everyone who come to seek it and the advise is available on various topics- love, career, tax planning, etc.
Under Col. Singh's tutelage, Arun learns the art of courtship.
After all this, Arun returns back to Mumbai a changed man.
Slowly, he starts turning the tables on Asrani and uses his own tricks against Asrani himself much to the secret glee of Prabha, who by this time, seems to have developed an affection of her own in Arun.
No, Prabha decides to go and find out for herself the truth about Arun's character.
Does Arun trick Prabha or do we get a happy ending?
The situations are so believable and the characters are so relatable that this film is an instant favorite of mine.
Ashok Kumar is brilliant in his depiction of one of the most memorable characters- Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh.
A thoroughly entertaining film and one that can be watched again and again, CSB is my favourite Basu Chatterjee film, followed closely by Rajanigandha- which is worthy of being hailed a classic too and is on certain levels, even more masterful than Choti Si Baat as Rajanigandha looks at the matters of love through the eyes of a woman and touches a point even deeper in our psychology..
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?.
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.
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.
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.
Vidya Sinha is very good as a good looking middle class office going woman in Mumbai.
With Ashok Kumar, Amol Palekar and Asrani you don't need anyone.Do you?
SalilDa was also good at inspired music :>I couldn't stop noticing vacant Mumbai streets.
I just loved the scene where Arun have his first conversation with Prabha and Nagesh just turns everything upside down.
Colonel's analysis or Arun is hilarious 'improper conditioning and defective verbal communication', 'unstable self evasiveness', 'love labor lost case', 'unstable para nautical frustration'.
definitely in the top 25 Hindi films and of course best Basu Chatterjee..
A simple 70s Urban Middle-Class Comedy.
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.
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.
Fifthly, This movie is about Bombay, and the spirit of Bombay, and kudos to Basu-da and Salil-da for their glorious effort..
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..
Chhoti Si Baat is for me the ultimate romantic comedy of those times - simple, funny and totally charming.
Like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, he used to make films that reflected the lives of people from the middle-class.
Everything in this film is kept simple and contributes to its authenticity, including dialogues, characters, sets, props and costumes.
Chatterjee brilliantly captures the world of Arun, an ordinary and rather insecure fellow who is deeply in love with a young and beautiful girl named Prabha.
The story follows Arun's trials and tribulations and his later attempts to get her through the help and guidance of a love-guru, when another guy enters the picture.
It's amazing how the viewers are given a chance to witness and experience every thought, yearning and disappointment that the character of Arun is going through, and yet the movie remains consistently humorous, lighthearted and comic.I think that's what makes both the film and particularly the character of Arun so easy to relate to.
I think everyone has been at some point secretly in love and could not express his feelings.
Vidya Sinha is beautiful and ever so graceful that it's easy to understand why she is the love interest here.
Asrani is not the type of guy who would really look like a serious rival who could undermine one's confidence, but he is inevitably funny and suitably annoying.
As the witty and kind Colonel Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh, he is hilarious, likable and memorable.Some of the film's scenes are still remembered today, including the sequences showing Arun daily following Prabha on her way to her workplace.
The scenes involving Arun and the love-guru Julius are of the best moments in the film, while Arun's transformation afterwards and his renewed interaction with Prabha is incredibly entertaining.
The songs either play over montage sequences ("Na Jaane Kyun" and "Yeh Din Kyaa Aaye") or appear as part of a film the characters go to see in the cinema (the wonderful "Jaanemann").
In either way, they express the characters' state of mind brilliantly.
you fall in love with this movie...
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.
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.
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..
"Chhoti Si Baat", set in 1975, delivers a believable and realistic portrayal of the urban Indian working class.
Basu Chatterjee, the film's director achieves the very same in his previous venture, the slightly more serious "Rajnigandha"(1974).
They are love triangles and have the same lead pair playing almost identical characters - Amol Palekar (Arun) plays a mousy man whereas Vidya Sinha (Prabha) shines (even more so in Rajnigandha) as the girl next door as well as Arun's love interest.
Asrani steals the show with his performance as Naagesh, the big thorn in Arun's path to Prabha's heart.
Although certain aspects of Arun's training to court women are a tad too silly, these may be overlooked on account of the film's sheer charm.
It's a classic tale of courtship with an generous helping of comedy..
Top class movie.
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.
(Ashok Kumar) who has started a personality development school in Khandala a hill station near Bombay.
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..
I have seen this movie 10 times and I don't mind watching it another 10 times.
If there was a time machine I don't mind time travelling to those days to enjoy simple pleasures.All the actors have done excellent work.I would advice current generation movie lovers to watch this..
Within a few minutes into the movie, every middle class guy will relate to every bit with their life.
a nice film to watch in family again and again.
Amol AT ITS BEST,AND The climax where Ashok kumar enters in is the plus point.
overall very very nice screenplay.nice dialogues, i don't how to express my excitement about this film, though am an action lovers film, typically jason statam ones, special effects, but very good direction.similar films i liked with emotional contents are namely: Masoom, Paa, Rajesh khanna's Anurodh, Mard maybe,watch it once and you will love it.
I watched this movie today on TV.
I thought it would be some old boring movie which will help me sleep.
It shows the reality of some shy guys, who are considered to be unsuccessful in their work and personal life.
Amol Palekar's acting is natural, but it is Asrani & Ashok Kumar who really outperform.
Asrani really impresses with his funny perplexed performance.
Really a classic comedy, it is also a film which has thoughts or ideas ahead of it's time.
It made me realise that, some Indian movies are really good and can be more authentic than we think.
The movie has a promising start and a generally good first half but the second half fails to impress.
The story is predictable, but the movie is still fun to watch (and re-watch).
The songs--beautifully sung by Lata, Asha, Mukesh and Yesudas--capture the pleasant and simple quality of the movie and have rightfully become classics of Bollywood music.
There is even a half-minute long montage of the lead character walking.
And that's the message of this comedy of the seventies.Chhoti Si Baat (trivial thing) is the story of a shy accountant - Arun (Amol Palekar) who is not smart and just too simple to find things his way.
In his colourless life, his fascination towards Prabha (Vidya Sinha) is the only thing which enthuse him.
She works in a neighbouring office (in Mumbai) and Arun loves her in his heart, seeing and deliberately coming across her in the most mundane situations of life.
Now comes the twist in the tale.Arun faces a rival for Prabha's companionship and love in the form of Naagesh (Asrani) who is oversmart more resourceful than Arun and now, our hero, i.e., Arun is struck by the fear to lose the bet called Prabha to Naagesh.
Finally, he takes a month long leave from his office and moves to Khandala where Col. JNW Singh (Ashok Kumar) lives whom he expects to play his troubleshooter.
Col. Singh is not only a love-Guru but also a personality development expert.
Under his tutelage and guidance, Arun's personality is groomed in the right direction.
Now he is ready to take upon his rival, Naagesh as well as win his lady-love, Prabha.Here, in Mumbai, Prabha has got restless by not seeing Arun for so many days.
That reveals that she also loves him but being a girl, has been expecting the boy to initiate the things.
Now a smart and renovated Arun not only outwits Naagesh but also the cheating motor workshop owner, paying him and his gang in the same coin and sets the undisciplined subordinates in the office also right.
Col. Singh also arrives at Mumbai to check where this love-story is heading and whether his tuition has indeed helped Arun or not.
In the climax, Arun does not go exactly according to the coaching of Col. Singh (which was not required also) and wins Prabha over through his original self only.This movie scores at several places and provides a feelgood experience to the watcher.
It's a movie which most of the middle class Indians can relate to.
While watching, the viewer effortlessly gets attached to Arun and starts praying for his ultimate success.This movie tickles, entertains and inspires all at the same time.
It appears to be the love story of any ordinary youth and hence a layman can relate to it.
But it's an excellent rom-com with a perfect mix of comedy and romance.
It's the simplicity prevailing in every nook and corner of this movie that goes deep into the heart of the viewer.Amol Palekar had mastered the art of playing a straightforward and simple hero having boy next door looks during the seventies and created his own fan-following.
Chhoti Si Baat is one of his such kind of movies only with the role being a tailor-made one for him.
He makes the viewer get attached to his smiles and sadness and his triumph in the end appears to the viewer as his own triumph in the battle of life and love.
Vidya Sinha was the perfect choice for the girl next door kind of roles due to her simple middle class looks and natural acting in such type of roles.
are also unforgettable ones for the melody and literature lovers alike.The filmmakers of today can learn a lot from this classic rom-com as to how to make neat and clean family movies containing stories of laymen.
I opine that a lady may lose her heart to a simpleton but she wants her man to be a simpleton for herself, not for the world because she can never tolerate the love of her life losing out to the others in different spheres of life..
A very good comedy about a shy, young man who is unable to express his love for the girl he likes, even though the girl shows signs of reciprocating his feelings.
Then, Arun (the shy hero) travels to nearby Khandala to meet a "personality doctor" who works on his personality to help him turn around 180 digress.Arun returns to Mumbai, where the story is based, to win his woman, and to right all the wrongs that were inflicted upon him.The change in his personality is fun to watch.
All in all, it is a great family movie.