'Damadol'

Zany, madcap comedies are the most difficult to make.
That explains why we have them so few and far between.

I have often been told by my non-Bengali friends that we are so hesitant to laugh at ourselves and that is why we have so few Bangla films that belong exclusively to the comedy genre. Well, it is a fact that we do not have as many successful comedies on the big screen to boast about, but the reasons behind which are more than the fingers on our hands. Recently, we have had some quality films that showcase our comedic sense and make one laugh with the nuanced representations. Soon, it will be time let our hair down with 'Damadol', an ensemble comedy that I am looking forward to.

In the ensemble cast are some much known faces, some much loved because of their work on television, while there are a few fresh faces as well. What encourages me most, as a viewer, is the fact that the makers these days are bouncing off fresh ideas, exploring new or less-frequently visited grounds, and the future of Bangla cinema is hopefully a lot brighter because of the same.

The plot thickens with an aspiring filmmaker Aditya trying to get financial help from PappuBhai, an underworld don with a love for cinema. Then there is Nikhil, the corporate guy wanting to get married but with the belief that he can never fall in love. There are situational complications affecting love and friendship. Ankita - an air-hostess, Ria- a young girl with strong moral values, and Tanya - the actress who is part of Aditya's film, are all dragged into this roller-coaster ride of mistaken identity and hilarious confusion.

The cast comprises Saswata Chatterjee, Samadarshi Dutta, Saheb Bhattacharya, Rajdeep Gupta, Shamaun Ahmed, Anindita, Priyanka, Gunjan, and Niharica Raizada. The film is directed by Manoj Michigan, and produced by Ajay Jhunjhunwala. The music has been composed by Gaurab Chatterjee. The cinematography has been done by Supriyo Dutta, and the film has been edited by Atish Dey Sarkar.

Comedy - in cinema, and on television

Comedy - as a genre - is far more difficult to execute in films or on television. Seldom does one come across quality comedies, and that's true for Bollywood or the world of Hindi Cinema too, which churns out comedies at the drop of a hat. Most of our comedy movies are crass, sub-standard and vulgar. It is a sad but true admission.
However, even in Hindi films, we have had some very good comic offerings in the past and the not so recent past. Here's looking at some of the grand comedies that I have enjoyed over the years, and only few ride the 'subtle humour' horse; some of these do make use of coarse and slapstick humour and some even walk the thin line between comedy & vulgarity. However, it is a fact that I would like to recommend these to all viewers who are interested in Hindi films and/or comedies:

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) 
Padosan (1968)
Golmaal (1979) 
Chupke Chupke (1975) 
Katha (1983) 
Angoor (1982) 
Chhoti Si Baat (1975)
Chachi 420 (1998) 
Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986) 
Hera Pheri (2000)

Half Ticket (1962) 
Shaukeen (1981) 
Andaz Apna Apna (1994) 
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) 
Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003) 
Masti (2004)
Kya Kool Hain Hum (2005) 
Mr Ya Miss (2005)
Hero No. 1 (1997)
Chashme Buddoor (1981) 
Bhuvan Shome (1969)
Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006)
Isi Ka Naam Zindagi (1992)
Duplicate (1998)
O Darling, Yeh Hai India! (1995) 
Chaalbaaz (1989) 
Manoranjan (1974)

And who can forget the silent comedy Pushpak (1988) which, though not a Bollywood product, created ripples - of laughter - all over the nation and is a favorite of comedy-lovers!


And when it comes to comedy series or sitcoms on television, the popular fare in Hindi is largely banal. But even before the inception of satellite or cable television in India, we had the good fortune of having some excellent comedy series like 'Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi', 'Dekh Bhai Dekh', and 'Idhar Udhar'. Later came some brilliant sitcoms like 'Zabaan Sambhalke', 'Mungerilaal Ke Haseen Sapne', 'Shreeman Shreemati', 'Shubh Mangal Saavdhan', 'Office Office' and 'Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai'

However, on Indian television, what has made a far greater impact in recent times are the advertisements that do become instant successes, regardless of the products or the services promoted, using the comedy genre subtly and skilfully. And the ad, or the series of ads, that come to my mind using the unique comical excesses of just one man: Aamir Khan in his multiple makeovers, using multiple regional catch-phrases, for Coca Cola.