World Happiness Day: ‘Saare Chuattor’ to ‘Chhadmabeshi’; all-time great Bengali comedy movies

Bengali Cinema is well known for giving directorial masterpieces such as ‘Pather Panchali’, ‘Nayak, ‘Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen’. But how many of you know about the excellent works this industry has given in the comedy genre. On World Happiness Day, here we have listed some of the all-time famous comedy movies that will make you hold the stomach out of never ending laughter.

This superhit comedy directed by Nirmal Dey had legendary actors like Tulsi Chakraborty, Molina Devi, Bhanu, Jahar and to add to the list the most loved couple of Bengali cinema, Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen. The story revolves around a boarding house. The boarders are quite friendly apart from an elderly boarder known as Rajanibabu. The comic turn of incidents start as soon as a boarder called Rampriti (Uttam Kumar) and the only woman boarder (Suchitra) fall in love with each other. How these events take place with so much comedy is a treat for every movie lover.

It’s one of the classics that Bengali comedy genre has ever produced. ‘Galpa Holeo Satyi’ is hilarious at the same time comes with a strong social message. Directed by one of the finest directors of Bengal Tapan Sinha, the film had one of industries comic geniuses Rabi Ghosh. It even makes people laugh loud, some of whom born after Rabi Ghosh died. Several Indian languages have seen its remake, the most famous was Bollywood hit 'Bawarchi' starring Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Bhadhuri.

You would be a very rare person from West if you haven’t watched this universally loved film. Satyajit Ray penned the script of this romantic comedy. The story is about the accidental exchange of similar looking suitcases during a train journey. The protagonists Soumitra Chatterjee and Aparna Sen just amazed everyone with their brilliant onscreen chemistry and eventually became cinematic legends.

Chhadmabeshi, the evergreen Bengali classic, with its awesome comedy situations would make you watch the film any day. This film will never get old for the Bengali movie lovers. It’s a romantic comedy flick which still attracts us. Uttam Kumar at his innocent best and Madhabi Mukherjee’s cuteness mesmerizes everyone. The film was remade in Hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherjee named ‘Chupke Chupke’ and it also became a Box Office hit. Dharmendra was seen in Uttam Kumar’s role in this version. Madhabi Mukherjee’s part was portrayed by Sharmila Tagore.

This was the period when Uttam Kumar was intentionally passing on the baton to younger generation. But in ‘Mouchak’ despite a handsome Ranjit Mullick catches the limelight, its still Uttam Kumar who creates larger impression. The legendary actor taught how to make the audiences laugh even with simple performance. It’s one of the rare occasions when the famous comic trio of Robi-Anup-&-Chinmoy acted together and Chinmoy perhaps overshadowed the other two. Arabinda Mukherjee, who already gave the other masterpiece 'Dhanni Meye' (1971), once again showed his mastery over this comedy genre.

It was the last film of Uttam Kumar. Directed by Salil Dutta, ‘Ogo bodhu sundari’ released after the Bengali Matinee idol’s demise. The film starts with his easy charm that makes us laugh out loud. As his quarrelsome wife, Sumitra too holds the narrative strong. However, it’s Mousumi Chatterjee as Sabitry steals the show. Ranjit Mullick, Haradhan Banerjee and Santosh Dutta all have shined in their respective roles. Dialogues from this film are memorable, such as "ami jate matal,tale thik"(I am drunk, but careful of my steps).

Truly one of the best things Bengali cinema has witnessed in recent times is this particular movie. The narrative carefully builds up with every minutest detail thoroughly checked and continues till the end. The simple storyline revolves around a haunted mansion in Kolkata. The characters and their display by excellent actors with amazing one liners turn out to be the essence of this movie. The cinematography, editing and its simple presentation are the USP. It is one of the very few current films you can see repeatedly and still enjoy its awesome flair and charm just like the very first time.

Charmurti is a 1978 Bengali classic directed by Umanath Bhattacharya and famous for having comedy legends Chinmoy Roy, Rabi Ghosh, Santosh Dutta together. It’s basically a great comedy adventure in the wilderness. The adventures of 4 high school students – Teni, Kabla, Pala and Habul will give you so much fun. The four visit Ramgarh to enjoy their vacation in the bungalow of Jhantipahar and the mysterious atmosphere, the ugly housekeeper, and few unnatural incidents ultimately condense the mysterious narrative.