Chachi 420
The Trickster Aunt
1998 · India · 155 min
- Director
- Kamal Haasan
- Screenplay
- Kamal Haasan
- Producer
- Kamal Haasan
- Music
- Vishal Bhardwaj
- Production company
- Raaj Kamal Films International
Cast
What it is about
After a difficult divorce, Jaiprakash tries to stay in touch with his daughter Bharti, but his former wife's family keeps him away from her. To get close to the girl, he disguises himself as an elderly Marathi woman named Lakshmi Godbole and wins a nanny position in the household of Durgaprasad, his former father-in-law. What follows is a run of domestic complications and a disguise that grows harder to maintain.
How it was made
Kamal Haasan directed, co-wrote and produced the film, an official remake of the 1996 Tamil film Avvai Shanmugi, itself an adaptation of Mrs. Doubtfire (1993). In 1997 Haasan first chose ad-film maker Shantanu Sheorey to direct, but after five days of shooting and complaints about the footage, he took over the direction himself. Ashwini Bhave left the production and was replaced by Ayesha Jhulka. The title went through Chikni Chachi and Stree 420 before becoming Chachi 420. The music, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj with lyrics by Gulzar, was released on 19 December 1997.
Reception and legacy
The film was released on 19 December 1997. Screen praised Haasan's work both in front of and behind the camera, and called the soundtrack 'real different', although it noted that the songs may need several hearings to win over listeners. In 2015 it was screened at the Habitat Film Festival. Today it is mainly remembered as one of the Indian versions of the Mrs. Doubtfire story.
Stills
Trivia
Three titles
Before settling on Chachi 420, the film was called Chikni Chachi and Stree 420.
A change of director
Kamal Haasan replaced the initial director, Shantanu Sheorey, after five days of shooting.
More films by Kamal Haasan
Hey Ram
Vishwaroopam
Vishwaroopam IIOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.