One person's comedy is another person’s crassness. Sometimes what passes for comedy in Bollywood is not really funny, and ‘adult comedy’ is often actually problematic, though many do still find it ‘funny’. So what’s a genuinely funny film? What Bollywood films actually make us laugh without making lewd insinuations, sexist or abelist jokes? Here are some Hindi films that are laugh out loud funny; some of which even have a coherent story:
This is the original I speak of, with the versatile Amol Palekar pretending to be two people, the matchless Utpal Dutt, and a hilarious assortment of other highly endearing characters. (No other film called Golmaal ever matched up). This was a story about ordinary people living their ordinary lives making space for the little joys, and for love; a commentary on human foibles and just muddling through any way possible. Watch it on YouTube or Amazon Prime Video.
This is just such an iconic film --- not just hilarious but a brilliant satirical take on the venality of those in positions of power, about exploitation and about idealism. Everyone knows about the famous climax Mahabharat scene (which couldn’t possibly be made today) but the movie is simply littered with the funniest of scenes. Like this completely absurd one featuring Om Puri as the drunk businessman and Satish Shah as the funniest dead person ever in the history of cinema. Watch this gem of a film on YouTube.
This film is just absurdity max. The movie didn’t have much of a story and none of the characters seems to have even half a brain. But somehow this film never ends up insulting the intelligence of the viewer. The movie is just laugh-out-loud funny; the best of situational comedy that demonstrated to us the hitherto unknown comic timing of Aamir Khan and Salman Khan. Watch it on YouTube or Netflix.
This has to be one of the most satisfying movies I have ever watched – funny, meaningful, moving, and featuring some of the most iconic Hindi film lines and characters ever. I remember nearly falling out of my chair when I watched it the first time in a theatre. Now, this is the most watched movie in my house – all told. If you’ve watched it, I urge a second viewing. Rent it on YouTube or watch it on Netflix.
This is another film that I found to be genuinely funny; fall-out-of-my chair type of funny. It is also, arguably, one of India’s first genuine adult comedies that doesn’t use sophomoric double meanings or crass sexism to be funny. Sure it talks about the violence, the shit and the sex, but still manages to be uproariously funny. It also gave us one of the most iconic meme templates of all time – sir! yeh toh tatti hai. Watch this one on Netflix.
This is a satirical comedy that looks at the desperation so many South Asians have to immigrate abroad, especially to the United States. It is crazy and nutsy and irreverently funny with great performances and some clever writing. Watch this on YouTube if you haven’t already.
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