Bawarchi is a gem of a movie that conveys a lot without actually saying much. Hrishikesh Mukherjee is the real Bawarchi (Chef) here. He selects the right recipe (the story), brings the right ingredients (actors and technicians), adds the right spices (music, drama and a O'Henry-esqe twist) and just lets all of them simmer under his watchful eye.I cant think of a better casting for such a beautiful story. The correct mix of star power of Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bhaduri (Bachchan) and Amitabh Bachchan (as the sutradhaar or the narrator) and highly under-rated character actors like A.K. Hangal, Asrani and even Paintal.The story by Tapan Sinha is a timeless classic. It is true even today where the joint-family system may have disintegrated but the sibling fights, day-to-day strife and dependence on domestic help still continue. Gulzar, the master word-smith, weaves his magic in the dialogs (Special mention- 'It's so simple to be happy but so difficult to be simple').Today, more than ever, we realize and miss such simple movies.

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 !

This film itself is a copy of the 1966 black and white Bengali classic "Galpo Holeo Satyi" directed by Tapan Sinha. Hrishikesh Mukherjee (and Guljar) have time and again remade Bengali classics into Hindi movies, sometimes very people are aware of them. Another gem is "Chupke Chupke" which is a line-by-line copy of the 1971 Bengali film "Chhadmabeshi" starring Uttam Kumar.Some of the other copies include Angoor (Gulzar) which was a remake of Bimal Roy's Bhranti Bilas. The original inspiration is of course the bard's "Comedy of Errors". Another one is "Mere Apne" (Gulzar), based on Tapan Sinha's "Apanjan".

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 .......