Itni Si Baat means “such a small thing” or “a minor matter.” But a small thing can easily escalate into something big with a not so happy outcome. The same thought is portrayed in this movie where Sanjeev Kumar and Moushumi Chatterjee play a happily(?) married couple. It is said Sanjeev Kumar was the actual producer of the movie but does not feature in the credits. The director is Madhu M. So over to small things…

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The Plot

Our hero Raja (Sanjeev Kumar) lives in Mumbai. He travels on the same bus with a girl named Asha (Moushumi) everyday. Raja has feelings for Asha but is unable to voice them. One day Raja boards the bus and gives the conductor a 100 rupee note (the bus ticket costs 50 paise). Unsurprisingly, the conductor gets angry. Listening to their heated exchange, Asha steps in and offers to buy Raja’s ticket. Asha and Raja get down and Raja thanks her. Raja requests her to have a cup of tea in a nearby restaurant so that the change for the 100 rupees can be arranged and he can return her money. She agrees. But things are not different at the restaurant. The manager is scolding a customer for handing a 10 rupee note and not having the exact change. Raja realizes the situation and Asha again obliges by paying on his behalf (bill = 50 paise!).

Then Raja requests Asha to take an auto-rickshaw ride with him. He attempts to get change from the rickshaw driver but one look from the man at the 100 rupee note is enough for Raja. Asha pays the Rs 1.50 fare. Later, Raja sights an ice-cream shop. He asks if he can get change and the owner is more than happy to oblige. Unfortunately, Raja drops the 100 rupee note on the road and Asha once again ends up paying for him (bill = Rs. 2). Thus Raja ends up owing Rs 4.50 to Asha.

Next day, they meet again in the bus. Change is not an issue that day but the bus breaks down. Coincidentally, they get in the same auto as the previous day (Raja calls it “scooter”) to reach their destinations. Apparently, both have been traveling in the same bus for last 6 months and are interested in each other. They finally admit their mutual feelings and start singing a romantic song; the credits start rolling. During the course of the song, they get married and have 2 kids -Munni (Baby Geeta) and Bablu (Master Gautam).

Thus Raja and Asha have settled down happily with kids. But are they really happy? They live in a rented house without any luxuries. Even the wall clock is waiting to be fixed (it always points to 6.15). Raja earns a low salary and it is difficult to manage the monthly budget. Luxury is something only in their dreams. If only he could earn more.

Its morning time. Asha prepares tea for Raja but there is no sugar. He asks her how did it get over so soon. Is she incapable of managing such a simple thing? She responds that he brings his friends home without informing and she has to serve them tea and sweets. She asks him to earn more money if he wants her to manage these expectations. This is her daily struggle. She labours at home while he goes to office and enjoys under the ceiling fan.

A frustrated Raja reaches office late (he has to change 2 buses which is another problem). Waiting to welcome him is his irritable boss (Asit Sen), who is an old man with a very young wife (it’s wife no. 3). As expected, the boss lectures him for coming late. Also working in the office is the boss’s brother in law (Roopesh Kumar), a good for nothing fellow. His only job is to flirt with women in and out of the office and is always on the lookout for a fresh target. Poor Raja voices his home and office frustration to his colleague Anil. Anil tells him to purchase a 2 wheeler so he can reach office on time and avoid the dependency on public transport. Raja thinks it over.

Asha is equally frustrated at home. There is no gas connection in their house. Cooking in the traditional way using the chulha leads to unavoidable delays. She will request Raja to arrange a gas connection, so the cooking problem can be solved.

We are introduced to Asha’s parents. She comes from a rich family. Mukundilal (Om Prakash) is a halwai (confectioner or sweet maker) by profession. He used to work for Nathuram halwai and ended up marrying his daughter (played by Ashoo). Apart from Asha, they have a son Anand (Arun Govil).

Anand’s girlfriend is Radha (Tamanna), who works in Raja’s office. Her father is a classical singer Darbarilal (Madan Puri). There is a so called comedy side plot where Darbarilal needs to get convinced before he gives the green signal for Radha’s marriage with Anand. Anand doesn’t want Darbarilal to know that his father is a halwai as it does’t match Darbarilal’s stature and expectation.

Back to Raja and Asha. Due to the morning fight, Raja had left for office without taking his lunch. Due to delay, Asha is unable to prepare the full lunch and packs the hastily made khichri. She requests their helper cum servant Bansi (Dinesh Hingoo) to deliver the tiffin to Raja. Raja is desperately waiting for his lunch to arrive and notices his peon has many delicacies in his tiffin. His peon gives credit to his wife for managing to do this in spite of his meager salary. Raja is further frustrated when he hears this and compares with his own situation. The arrival of Bansi with the khichri tiffin rubs salt into his wounds!

But the truth is Raja and Asha still love and respect each other. They reconcile at night. But matters are going to get worse.

Raja tells Asha about his plan to purchase a scooter and she tells about her gas connection requirement. Finally, Raja brings home a second hand scooter. The gas connection will be arranged in a few months once he receives his bonus. Asha is not very happy but agrees to the arrangement. The root cause of their problems is money and she is waiting for the day when Raja will earn more and they can lead a better life. They have a new neighbour Meena (Kanan Kaushal), who seems to be a leading a comfortable life with her husband. Asha hopes for a similar day in her life as well.

And Raja is presented with a golden opportunity. The office is going to open a new branch. If Raja can impress his boss, he can become the manager of the new branch. Raja invites the boss and his wife for lunch at his house. Asha is supportive, she slogs and prepares a delicious meal. But tragedy strikes. Bansi informs her that he saw Bablu gambling when he should be in school. She rushes to take stock of the situation leaving the door open (there is no one else at home). Unfortunately, a cat and a dog make a mess of the food. Asha returns and is shocked to find the state of the kitchen and the food. The boss will be arriving any time. She explains the situation to Raja, who is extremely angry at her behaviour. She counters him stating their son’s future is important for her. But Raja is no mood to listen and blames her for screwing up his future. He even uses some unflattering terms for his boss. Unfortunately the boss arrives and hears everything. He leaves in a huff and asks Raja to forget his promotion and be ready for a demotion.

The matter is about to settle down but that does not happen. Raja compares Asha with his friend Anil’s wife who has manages their finances effectively, and has set up their home so beautifully with all comforts. Later, Asha insults Raja in front of their neighbour Meena. Meena works in a private firm and manages to earn Rs 2000 per month. She is a woman and is earning much more than Raja. So, the grass looks greener on the other side.

Raja decides to teach Asha a lesson and make her realise that earning money is not easy as she thinks. He will show her he can mange the house more efficiently. Thus he proposes a reversal of roles. Asha will be the working “woman” whereas he will stay home and manage the house. He is serious and Asha reluctantly agrees to all this. In a fit of anger, she challenges him she will be successful and will be earning more than him.

So, who will succeed? As expected there are some hilarious consequences of the role reversal. But is the grass really greener or there is a reality check ahead for both of them?

The Music

The lyrics are by Anjaan and music by Kalyanji Anandji. There are 5 songs but none have much recall value.

My Thoughts

The film plot is predictable but the performances keep the viewer interested. The highlight of Itni Si Baat is Sanjeev Kumar’s portrayal of Raja. Playing the initial romantic to the later helpless and frustrated character, he again proves what a marvellous actor he is! He is too good in the lighter scenes. And the sudden transformation in his angry reactions is worth watching. He is complemented by Moushumi Chatterjee and they share a wonderful chemistry. Dinesh Hingoo and Asit Sen are effective in their small roles. The comedy side plot involving Asha’s family is really unnecessary.