Hrishikesh Mukherjee is one of the most famous film directors, editors, and writers of India. In his long career of more than four decades, Hrishi-da as he was popularly known directed 42 films most of which were loved by the audience.
Almost all of his movies had a storyline touching the human core as the stories belonged to common middle-class people and their struggles. That is why Hrishikesh Mukherjee is also called the pioneer of Indian middle cinema. A remake of one of his old classics Bawarchi is now being made by Mrs Undercover director Anushree Mehta.
The director and producer have completed writing the script and are now in discussion to rope in some A-listed stars to play the lead roles made iconic by Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bachchan, Hangal, and others.
Hrishida’s Bawarchi was a remake of Rabi Ghosh’s Bengali film
Very few people know that the original movie was made by Rabhi Ghosh in Bengali in 1966 with the title Galpo Haleo Satti. Directed by Tapan Sinha, it was loved by the Bengali audience and that is why the Anand director decided to make it in Hindi.
Bawarchi stripped off Rajesh Khanna’s glamourous avatar
Rajesh Khanna aka Kaka was mostly known among his fans for his looks, stylish mannerisms, and a typical style of dialogue delivery. But in Bawarchi he was stripped of all this sophistication as he was playing the character of a Bawarchi which means a household cook.
Rajesh Khanna was a huge superstar but Hrishikesh Mukherjee took away his totemic star power and mystical aura and presented him as a simple, jolly, open, and uncomplicated person. Many believed that Rajesh Khanna’s avatar would not work. But fans loved Kaka in the role of multi-talented, and exuberant Raghu.
The late entry of the hero
It was the first time in the history of Bollywood that a superstar like Rajesh Khanna made an entry after the story had rolled on for half an hour. Before that the director prepares the ground for the entry of Raghu and the moment he enters all things in the household of the Shanti Nivas start changing.
Many believed that the audience would be bored since they did not get to see the hero right from the start, However, Bawarchi was a success and proved this theory wrong
Rajesh did not like Amitabh meeting Jaya during Bawarchi shooting
Incidentally, similar to Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anand, Bawarchi also starts with the voiceover of Amitabh Bachchan in the background. At that time Jaya Bhaduri nee Bachchan was dating the Deewar actor and used to come on the sets to meet her. However, Kaka did not like Amitabh visiting the sets and said so to his co-star Jaya.
Rajesh Khanna was a huge star in those days whereas Jaya had also established a considerable name for herself in Bollywood. But Amitji was a struggler in those days. Hence Kaka asked Jaya to stay clear of this tall guy and said that he is a failure and will not achieve success.
An angry Jaya who was very much in love with Amitabh Bachchan retorted saying that one day this man would run the industry and within a few years these words came true.
Govinda’s Hero No. 1 and Hirani’s Munnabhai
A few shades of Rajesh Khanna’s Raghu from Bawarchi inspired the role of Govinda in David Dhawan’s Hero No. 1 where he plays a cook to impress the family of his beloved. Similarly, Rajkumar Hirani’s Munnabhai character also has a few characteristics that seem to be inspired by Raghu.