Chala Mussaddi - Office Office Movie Reviews

The drama has already gained immense popularity through the long-running television series Office Office and Mussaddi Lal's archetypal common man has become a familiar figure in popular culture. In the celluloid version, Pankaj Kapoor once again proves what a fine actor he is as he carries forth the relentless struggle of the aam Indian against India's endemic bribe culture and official apathy. The retired school teacher wages a little war almost every day

It was a different sentiment in 1957 when Guru Dutt, glass in hand, tottered through a badnaam galli. Hurting at “ye ismat ke saude, ye saudon pe takaraar”, he turned, looked straight into the camera and asked: Zaraa mulk ke rehbaron ko bulao Ye kooche ye galliyaan, ye manzar dikhao. Jinhen naaz hai Hind par, unko lao Many in the government thought that they were being summoned to a people’s court, that Sahir Ludhianvi was being very personal

The drama has already gained immense popularity through the long-running television series Office Office and Mussaddi Lal’s archetypal common man has become a familiar figure in popular culture. In the celluloid version, Pankaj Kapoor once again proves what a fine actor he is as he carries forth the relentless struggle of the aam Indian against India’s endemic bribe culture and official apathy.

CHALA MUSSADDI OFFICE OFFICE is an effective satire that takes on the menace of corruption. Don’t miss it.

Prove that you’re alive, and we’ll give you what is yours. A living, breathing man is made to listen to this absurdity, in, where else, a government office, sinking under the weight of its dead files and corrupt `karamcharis’. Mussaddi Lal Tripathi, retired school master, indefatigable upholder of truth, takes a deep breath, girds imaginary loins, and sets out after justice. Those familiar with the long-running sit-com of the same name will know most

If Chala Mussaddi Office Office does not rise to any great heights, it is certainly not for want of trying. In fact, the film tries too hard – too hard for its own good. The final result is a hopelessly flaccid pastiche of situational gags that relies solely on broad strokes of humour. Subtlety is beyond the ken of this satire, a stodgy, laboured, unfunny big-screen condensation of Office Office, the successful television sitcom of a decade ago

There are several poignant questions asked by Mussadi throughout the film – questioning the unprofessionalism that is omnipresent in the corridors of government offices and buildings, but ultimately its overdose almost overshadows the genuine efforts of the actors in executing their characters.

Mussaddi Lal is saying things we all need to hear, but the film manages to make the cut only some of the time.

A super performance by Pankaj Kapur aside — he’s brilliant as usual — there’s not much going for Chala Mussaddi. You’d rather stay home and watch reruns.

What starts as a brilliant satire ends up in a moralistic jargon. The film is stretched unnecessarily and brilliant star cast doesn’t help in saving the film.

"Naam (name)?" asks the policeman at his station desk. "Mussaddi Lal," says the accused, Mussaddi Lal (of course). "Pesha (profession)?" "Retired school master, Mahatma Gandhi School, Lal Ganj, Ghaziabad, India." "Jurm (crime?)" "Common man!" Being common in Third World is some sort of a crime all right. Especially, in a congenitally corrupt nation that daydreams of becoming developed some day. First World, by definition, is determined

Hollywood has done it. Now Bollywood follows suit. Small screen to big screen adaptations are gradually becoming a norm. CHALA MUSSADDI OFFICE OFFICE isn't the first instance. KHICHDI: THE MOVIE, inspired by a popular TV serial of the same name, had released a year ago. A film like CHALA MUSSADDI OFFICE OFFICE arrives at the right time, when dishonesty and bribery are the hot topics of discussion and deliberations. For, the film deals

In a country where multi-thousand-rupee scams are sought to be solved by hunger strikes, where the bigoted concept of fair skin is endorsed by the most public figures, and where freedom of speech is inversely proportional to your popularity; satire as a genre has had far fewer films than its fair share. It's been 28 years since Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron released and it remains till today, in my opinion, the genre's zenith. Lately there have been several jabs

Pankaj Kapoor's Office Office has been a popular sitcom for a decade now for being a social satire on how a common man is 'systematically' exploited by bureaucratic corruption and red tape-ism. The TV series highlighted the vulnerability of the protagonist and how he was repeatedly victimized by the fraudulent system. While taking the televised version to the big screen, director Rajiv Mehra also extends the scale of the show by demonstrating

The writing is entirely episodic, like a TV show. Scenarios recur. Actors ham it up. Loud background score informs every scene. You care for our man Mussaddi. Or at least wish to. He takes rounds of various ‘daftars’ (offices), literally living a farce. Democracy is probably both the problem, and its only plausible solution.

This film is best avoided.

On the whole, CHALA MUSSADDI OFFICE OFFICE releases at a time when corruption and bribery are piping hot topics, but the impact it ought to make is missing. Those who recall the tele-serial fondly may reconnect with the on-screen characters, but how one wishes the drama was as impactful. Bluntly put, the tele-serial was much, much better than the film!

Chala Mussaddi Office Office review by Komal Nahta. What’s Good: Some performances; the dialogues. What’s Bad:...