Gol Maal Leads The Way | Uttkrishtt 2013

1. Gol Maal (1979): Ramprasad, Laxmanprasad and the boss. Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt made a brilliant pair. Subtle Palekar and loud Dutt complemented each other so well. Hrishida's Gol Maal is the finest Hindi comedy film ever.

2. Andaz Apna Apna (1994): Starring two emerging superstars - Salman Khan and Aamir Khan and a very highly rated actor Paresh Rawal in double role, Andaz Apna Apna is a fine example of underdog heroes and comedy of errors. What makes it unique is the fan following it has even after two decades and most of it has been word of mouth.

3. Bawarchi (1972): Remake of a Bengali comedy, Hrishida's Bawarchi is a brilliant family film where values were highlighted in such a light way that at no point film appears to be preachy but manages to teach a lot. Rajesh Khanna pulled off this film so well that along with memorable Aradhana, Amar Prem and Anand, this film is rated at one of his best.

Uttkrishtt 2013 saw a huge tie between 5 films, all ranked at #4.

4. Angoor (1982): Based on Shakespeare's play Comedy Of Errors, Gulzar's Angoor is another gem of a film. Sanjiv Kumar and Deven Verma played double roles - twin brothers seperated at birth and incidentally having same name. Characters are innocent and stay with you long. But the real king is the comedy which is genuinely situation centric.

4. Bombay To Goa (1972): One can't keep Mehmood out of any list of comedies. A road movie where Mehmood was the hero and Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha played side roles. Largely slapstick, Bombay To Goa influenced many films and inspired many comedians.

4. Chashme Buddoor (1981): Sai Paranjpye is known for light hearted films. Chashme Buddoor was one such film which became a classic over time. It was a high in career of actors involved. Along with Jaane Bhi Do Yaro, it is considered as best comedies made during 80s by torch bearers of alternate cinema in India.

4. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983): A cult classic, Jaane Bhi Do Yaro is one of the finest satires ever made in India. This film established many actors of parallel cinema in mainstream. This film was the template for many films in late 80s which grabbed attention of film lovers however most of them failed to build upon that.

4. Padosan (1968): 60s and 70s was the time when comedies relied more on story than situation. Padosan is one such example. Performances by Sunil Dutt and Saira Bano backed with comic timing of Kishore Kumar and Mehmood was the highlight of this film. The story of a simpleton who falls in love with a girl stole heart of the viewers.

9. Chupke Chupke (1975): Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan along with Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan and quintessential Om Prakash. A man vows to mock his wife's Jijaji and plots a scam that literally creates a laugh-riot.

10. Satte Pe Satta (1982): Another Amitabh Bachchan film. Seven brothers, seven brides, chaos and more chaos. Satte Pe Satta is literally a chaotic film. The USP of this film is the fact that the actors enjoyed their part so much that it reflected on screen. When its on screen, it easily win people.

Greatest Hindi Comedy - Gol Maal | A Study | Under Lens

IMDb rating of 7.8 hardly reflects the right picture. Gol Maal, directed by maverick director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, is rated at par with finest Hindi films ever made. Rank #1 at Uttkrishtt 2013 backs the opinion. But what makes Gol Maal such an iconic film? We had a discussion and came up with certain thoughts –

1. Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt: Chemistry between these two extremely talented and equally underrated actors reflected well in their comic timing. One scene where Amol starts bluffing and creates story of his non-existent brother, their chemistry is something to look out for.

2. Story: A guy lies about having a twin brother and finds a job for him as well. For another little innocent lie, he creates a mother and also an aunt. His boss’ daughter falls in love with his non-existent persona and hates his true identity. Lies, deceit and chase, all in good humor. Story was the pillar of this film, something Hrishikesh Mukherjee always ensured.

3. Situation Based Comedy: Instead of having slapstick and non-consequential jokes, film relied on situational comedy that carried the story along. Not a scene stands out as a misfit. Hrishikesh Mukherjee had an eye of an editor. That was perhaps the reason why Gol Maal was so well trimmed.

4. Reel Reflects Real: Having a good job was on the top of wish list of contemporary youth. Little lies to get and maintain one were acceptable. Gol Maal exaggerated and romanticized the idea. By creating a romantic angle between boss’ daughter and employee, writers checked all the points.

5. Cameos And Casting: Apart from Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt, actors like Deena Pathak, Deven Verma, Shubha Khote and Yunus Parvez formed the supporting cast. Cameos by Amitabh Bachchan and Om Prakash added the typical Hrishida feeling. However, the masterstroke was casting of Bindiya Goswami  instead of first choice Rekha who would have taken away a share of attention from Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt pair.

Others Who Missed The Final List | Uttkrishtt 2012

These characters won our hearts over ages. They inspired us. They helped us push the envelope. They taught us lessons no textbook shared. They are our heroes...

Ajay Rathore (Aamir Khan - Sarfarosh) : A young IPS who opted IPS over IAS because he wants to weed out criminals proactively. With a small team he takes on naxal-terrorist nexus spanning across borders. His challenges include people in masks and political interventions. In difficult times he keeps his ethics and moral values above everything including his personal welfare.

Bhagat Singh (Manoj Kumar - Shaheed) : Sardar Bhagat Singh is perhaps one of the most respected revolutionary of Indian Independence. Born in family of revolutionaries, Bhagat Singh had patriotism flowing in his veins. When he grew, he took up the challenge and emerged as one of the biggest threat to British Empire in India. He was instrumental in giving direction to the armed revolution. 

Mahesh (Mehmood - Kunwara Baap) : It doesn't take herculean tasks to be a hero. Sometimes even simple acts of generosity count more. Mahesh finds a destitute and despite of his meager resources, decides to adopt him. He assumes the role of father. When the child suffers from polio, he does whatever he can do. However, the child-father bonds suffers a setback when the real parents reconcile. At this point, Mahesh does the right thing despite of the fact that he cannot imagine his life without the child.

Murli Prasad Sharma (Sanjay Dutt - Munna Bhai MBBS) : Munna is a local goon. A simpleton who has adopted to the lifestyle of Mumbai underbelly. However, his family in village believes that he is a doctor. When his secret comes out, he feels embarrassed and decides to get a medical degree. He forges records and exams and get admission in a reputed college. Though he doesn't become a doctor he teaches doctors a couple of things about their profession and humanity in general.

Pradhan (Anupam Kher - Saaransh) : What an old man can do? Pradhan's son died in an mugging incident in US and he is running from door to door to get his son's ashes. He also fights a local politician who took advantage of a girl by promising her marriage. His success or failure becomes secondary as the objective is so strong.

Raj (Raj Kapoor - Shree 420) : There are three stages in life of a hero - beginning, fall and rise. Raj is a simpleton who is adorable is his own ways. He falls in trap of greed and becomes a fraud. He cheats numerous people and becomes rich. Later he realizes that in this process he killed his goodness and decides to do the right thing.

Raj (Shahrukh Khan - Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) : Raj loves Simran but Simran's father has fixed her marriage to his childhood friend's son. Though Raj can run away, he decides to win hearts and take away his girl with honor. Raj proves a point by being a good lover-boy, a good son and a good person.

Raju (Raj Kumar - Waqt) : Raju is an embodiment of manliness. He is not a gentleman. He is more or less a crook or thief with some ethics. He has some rules by which he plays his game. As the story progresses, he comes out as a very strong character with a heart of gold. Circumstances might have rubbed against him badly, he still is person one can vouch for.

Ramprasad Sharma (Amol Palekar - Golmaal) : A street smart young man who tricks his boss into believing that he has a twin brother. Problem comes up when boss wants to see his brother and give him a job. He decides to play double role. To keep the story going, he creates a fake mother and his mother creates a fake sister of hers. Th spice it up all, boss' daughter falls for the non-existent brother.

Shambu (Balraj Sahni - Do Beegha Zameen) : Shambhu is poor but has his self-respect. His father Gangu took a debt and worked hard to pay it off. But ever after hard work, due to cunning ways of Zamindar, Shambhu has to pay 235 rupees for his land. He decides to go to Calcutta. He works hard but remains honest under all circumstances. But fate want it other way round. Shambhu loses his land.

Vijay Verma (Amitabh Bachchan - Deewar) : Vijay's father was humiliated and he was branded as a child. The angst against the world puts him on wrong track. The rebel in him is to be feared. The brilliance in him is to be admired. His sensibilities are directed only towards his family and love. He is a person who has seen so much hatred from world that he can only return in the same currency.

Gol Maal And The Sham | Hammers High

Everyone who has a taste for good Hindi films must have seen this 1979 film made by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and it will be a singular case where somebody might come up saying that he did not liked it. From 80s to 8, everybody appreciated this amazing comedy movie. Only a Jane Bhi Do Yaron and Andaaz Apna Apna came close to it in sense of popularity among masses and critics. Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt in roles of manipulating employee and stern and strict employer were simply too good.

Cut to 2006, promising Rohit Shetty and Ajay Devgan, an actor known for his serious roles, teamed up along with actors like Arshad Warsi, promising Sharman Joshi and Tussar Kapoor and veteran like Paresh Rawal to make a laughter riot. That was not one of the heydays for any of them. So, the team came up with a name good enough to bring people into theatre… Golmaal. Movie did well, thanks to good p-jokes and festive season when even duds make money. However, nostalgic souls felt hurt.

Gol Maal was a more of a family movie which can be enjoyed with everyone. Dialogues were more meaningful and language was a beauty. Movie relied more on plot than jokes. The namesake was not one which can be seen with family. Story was amiss and jokes were either stale or double-meaning. In former bad habits were seen with disdain, later seemed to have glorified the same. For those who love Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s comedies, this biennial franchisee leaves behind a bad taste in mouth.

PS: Little Bird just hummed that Golmaal-4 will be an official remake of Gol Maal of ’79. Lets see.