Chupke Chupke (1975)

Chupke Chupke is a Hindi-language comedy film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, one of the masters of lighthearted, slice-of-life Indian cinema. Based on the Bengali story Chhadobeshi by Upendranath Ganguly, the film stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Om Prakash in an ensemble of witty performances.

Detailed Summary

The Newlyweds and the Prank Idea

Professor Parimal Tripathi (Dharmendra), a botany professor, marries Sulekha (Sharmila Tagore). Soon after the wedding, Parimal decides to play a harmless prank on his in-laws. Sulekha has always admired her “Jijaji” (brother-in-law), Raghavendra Sharma (Om Prakash), considering him extremely wise and unflappable. Parimal, mischievous by nature, takes this as a challenge: he wants to prove that even Jijaji can be fooled.

The Fake Driver

Parimal disguises himself as a chauffeur named Pyaremohan Ilahabadi and takes up the job in Raghavendra Sharma’s household. The comic situation escalates as Pyaremohan constantly corrects Sharma’s Hindi, humiliating him in his own home. The once-dominant Jijaji begins to lose his confidence as the driver schools him in language and manners.

The Role of Friends and Family

Parimal’s close friend, Professor Sukumar Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan), is brought into the game. Sukumar pretends to be Sulekha’s husband, while Parimal remains in the role of the driver. This setup causes even more confusion, with Raghavendra Sharma becoming increasingly frustrated yet unable to prove his suspicions.

The Layers of the Joke

Every character, including Sulekha, plays along in maintaining the charade. The elaborate prank grows into a comedy of errors where identities are mixed up, social hierarchies are inverted, and language becomes both a weapon and a punchline.

Movie Ending

Eventually, the truth comes out when Parimal himself confesses the entire prank to Jijaji. What follows is not anger but sheer laughter and admiration from Raghavendra Sharma, who acknowledges how cleverly he was deceived. The family comes together in a joyous atmosphere, appreciating Parimal’s wit and harmless mischief. The film closes on a warm and humorous note, reinforcing Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s trademark style—leaving audiences with a smile rather than conflict.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Chupke Chupke does not have any post-credits scenes. Being a 1970s Hindi film, the tradition of post-credit sequences was not common in Indian cinema at the time.

Type of Movie

Chupke Chupke is a comedy of manners and errors, blending situational humor with witty dialogue. It is part of the Hrishikesh Mukherjee school of cinema, which specialized in middle-class settings, gentle satire, and strong character-driven comedy.

Cast

• Dharmendra as Professor Parimal Tripathi / Pyaremohan (driver disguise)
• Sharmila Tagore as Sulekha Chaturvedi (Parimal’s wife)
• Amitabh Bachchan as Professor Sukumar Sinha
• Jaya Bachchan as Vasudha (Sukumar’s love interest)
• Om Prakash as Raghavendra Sharma (Jijaji)
• Usha Kiran as Sumitra Sharma
• Asrani as Prashant
• David Abraham as Sulekha’s father

Film Music and Composer

The music was composed by S.D. Burman, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The songs—such as “Sa Re Ga Ma” and “Ab Ke Sajan Saawan Mein”—are playful, lighthearted, and fit seamlessly with the film’s comic tone. Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mohammed Rafi lent their voices to memorable tracks.

Filming Locations

The film was largely shot in Mumbai and Allahabad (Prayagraj). The settings—family homes, gardens, and modest living spaces—mirror the middle-class, intellectual world Mukherjee loved to portray. The homely, relatable backdrops enhance the comedy by grounding it in everyday life.

Awards and Nominations

While not a massive award-winner, the film gained critical acclaim and has since been regarded as one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s classics. Over the years, it has gained cult status in Indian cinema as one of the finest Hindi comedies ever made.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Dharmendra, usually known for action roles, loved experimenting with comedy here, showcasing his lighter side.
• Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan were newly married at the time, and their real-life chemistry added charm to their scenes.
• Om Prakash’s role was tailor-made for him—Hrishikesh Mukherjee insisted no one else could deliver the linguistic comedy with such precision.
• S.D. Burman composed the music in his later years, making Chupke Chupke one of his last works.

Inspirations and References

The film is adapted from the Bengali story Chhadobeshi. Hrishikesh Mukherjee had earlier directed Chhadmabeshi (1967) in Bengali with Uttam Kumar and Madhabi Mukherjee, and later remade it into Chupke Chupke for Hindi audiences with some modifications in tone and casting.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no documented alternate endings or major deleted scenes. Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s editing was known for being tight and economical, with very little wastage.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The source was not a book but a short story (Chhadobeshi). The Hindi version adapted the narrative with more emphasis on comedy, family bonds, and musical interludes, making it warmer and more accessible to a pan-Indian audience.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Parimal correcting Jijaji’s Hindi relentlessly.
• Sukumar pretending to be Parimal and fumbling in front of Jijaji.
• The hilarious “driver vs. Jijaji” banter sequences.
• The final revelation of the prank.

Iconic Quotes

• Parimal (as Pyaremohan): “Aapki Hindi bohot kharaab hai, saab.”
• Jijaji: “Driver mujhe Hindi sikha raha hai!”
• Sulekha: playfully taunting her husband about his obsession with proving himself smarter than Jijaji.

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The film lightly pokes fun at the elitism of language, especially the tension between Hindi and English.
• Amitabh Bachchan’s character as a professor feels like an ironic nod, considering his later image as the “angry young man” in serious roles.
• Jaya Bachchan’s character Vasudha is softer and playful, contrasting with her more dramatic roles of the 1970s.

Trivia

• This was one of the rare films where Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan shared screen space in a comedic setting (before Sholay the same year).
• Om Prakash’s character “Jijaji” became a cultural reference point for meddling, self-important relatives in India.
• The film was released in the same year as Sholay and Deewaar, yet carved its own space as a cult comedy.

Why Watch?

Because it’s one of the most intelligent comedies ever made in Indian cinema. Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s direction, the powerhouse cast, S.D. Burman’s delightful music, and Om Prakash’s linguistic battles combine into a timeless comedy that has aged like fine wine.

Director’s Other Movies

• Anand (1971)
• Bawarchi (1972)
• Gol Maal (1979)
• Khubsoorat (1980)
• Anupama (1966)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Gol Maal (1979)
• Bawarchi (1972)
• Khubsoorat (1980)
• Padosan (1968)
• Angoor (1982)