9 timeless Utpal Dutt movies that mirror his tremendous acting skills

Do yourself a favour and start watching these Utpal Dutt Movies this long weekend!

Is it just me or everyone around my age grew up watching age old classics with their father? I would love to assume that it’s everyone! That every individual of my age knows who Utpal Dutt is and why is Hrishikesh Mukherjee the best thing that happened to Indian cinema? But, sadly, that isn’t the truth.

We, the sassy millennial are stuck in the whirlwind of Rohit Shetty’s Golmaals and Priya Darshani’s larger than life comedies. Hey, I am not complaining, but, it would be good to have young adults and Bollywood buffs who binged on timeless comedies such as Chupke Chupke and Shaukeen (not The Shaukeens).

So, when I realized it is the legend, Utpal Dutt’s birthday, I seized the opportunity to make the world aware of some classic movies! Movies that you should have watched by now and if you haven’t, now is the time!

A PG Diploma is Marketing, Utpal Dutt’s entry in Indian cinema is rather surprising. A reporter, photographer, director, and an immensely talented movie and theatre actor, Dutt mastered various roles of different genres – the angry father in Saheb to the hilariously troubled father of a young daughter in Gol Maal.

To reduce him to his comic timing would be a crime! Utpal Dutt was an artist, one that critiqued his own plays and blessed Bollywood with some truly rib ticking and heart-wrenching works, all in his truly magnificient career.

So, do yourself a favour and start watching these Utpal Dutt Movies this long weekend!

PS: Pardon my bias towards his comedy movies, I am in love with them and simply helpless.

PPS: Get your family together for this weekend binge, trust me, you will enjoy it simply more.

1. Shaukeen

The 1982, Basu Chatterjee movie – Shaukeen is an ageless comedy. Released much ahead of its time, it is the story of three grey haired men – Utpal Dutt, Ashok Kumar, and A.K.Hangal – who take an all boys trip in the hopes of getting laid (yep, you read it correct) and unanimously crush on the perky and young Rati Agnihotri.

Yes, there is a little bit of objectifying, given it was 1982, but the vintage shots of Bandra in 80s should make you get over it.

2. Gol Maal

Released in 1979, Gol Maal is the story of a young Ram Prasad (Amol Palekar) caught in a web of lies to impress his quirky, idealistic boss (Utpal Dutt). From a made up twin, to a fake mother who also has a twin sister, Gol Maal is a laughter riot!

3. Naram Garam

Naram Garam is a rather unusual tale of how a father, Bhavani Shankar (played by Dutt) and his son, Babua played by Shatrughan Sinha falling for the beauty of Kusum, resulting in rib tickling results. Side note, this movie has Amol Palekar too!

4. Humari Bahu Alka

A responsible and overbearing father, Utpal Dutt, get his some Pratap (Rakesh Roshan) get married to the beautiful Alka! But the young couple is not allowed to spend time, until Pratap is done with his college exams. But the duo has other plans and they lie to both their parents and rent a room in Bombay to get intimate. Obviously, they’re in for some hilarious surprises.

5. Kissi Se Na Kehna

One of my personal favourites, Kissi Se Na Kehna features Utpal Dutt as a doting father who believes that education has ruined the women of the country and hence is on the mission of finding an uneducated bride for his son. Unfortunately, his son is in love with a doctor, and the couple then cooks up a story that is very difficult to handle. Needless to say, a comedy of errors, this one will leave you smiling.

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6. The Great Gambler

A crime ring out of the 80s, The Great Gambler is about Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) who finds himself in the company of don for his tremendous gambling skills! As the story unfolds, he becomes a pawn to the ruthless Saxena (Utpal Dutt)! Dutt’s slick hair and smooth tacts make him a really convincing con. Told ya, he can pull off any role.

7. Rang Birangi

Though Utpal Dutt enters the movie only in the second half, his performance as Dhurandhar Bhatavdekar is truly stellar. A cop who hates Bollywood, Dutt plays the role to the tee, including rolling down a children’s slide at a park! Also, this movie is officially inspired by Pati Patni aur Woh, making it a really different kind of story.

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8. Kissa Kursi Ka

The narrative of corrupt politician, Kissa Kursi Ka portrays Utpal Dutt as a really questionable character. Clearly ahead of its time, Kissa Kursi Ka is a timeless classic holding a mirror over hard societal realities.

9. Joi Baba Felunath 

Satyajit Ray's famous Feluda series featured in this 1979, Bengali movie - Joi Baba Felunath is an adventurous one. Playing Maganlal Meghraj, Utpal Dutt once again showed his villainous side, and that too very successfully.

How many of these have you watched?