OTTplay Lost and Found - Katha

Welcome to OTTplay Lost and Found, one podcast that gives you insights into critically acclaimed films but lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil.

There have been many films that have depicted the convivial Chawl culture of Mumbai. But there are few that have managed to capture the true spirit of those residing in those middle-income housing societies in India’s most populous metropolis. It’s an uber neighborly environment where everyone is embedded in the other’s life and keeping to oneself just isn’t an option. And that is just something Sai Paranjpye’s 1983 classic Katha captures so immaculately. This forgotten gem will appeal to a wide range of audiences – those that prefer romantic comedies, light-hearted dramas and even those who fancy a good ol’ story of deceit and fraud.  

Starring Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh and Deepti Naval in the lead, Katha is inspired by S.G. Sathe’s play The Hare and the Tortoise but offers a contemporary retelling of that famous race between the two animals and hopes to examine whether the result of the contest would be the same in today’s ruthless world. 

The film introduces us to Rajaram P Joshi (played by Naseer), a clerk who resides in a Mumbai Chawl and fancies his neighbor Sandhya Sabnis (played by Deepti Naval). But this seems to be an unlikely match as Sandhya hopes to find a partner who’s more gregarious and Rajaram is essentially tongue-tied in her company to spell his heart. Enter Rajaram’s college friend, Bashu (played by Farooq Shaikh), a smooth operator who drops in to shack up with Rajaram. Bashu is everything that Rajaram isn’t and manages to charm everyone he meets. But when Bashu gets into a relationship with Sandhya, Rajaram’s boss’s wife and daughter without as much as committing to either, we know we’re headed for an explosion.  

The film was lauded for its colorful depiction of Mumbai’s bustling chawl life. But it also packs an unlikely love story that keeps us hopeful for a happy ending. Watch this one to be transported to simpler times when one could pull through life with modest means and it took very little to manage a happy and content existence.

If you haven't watched this gem of a movie yet, then do so by streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Mubi.

Well, that's the OTTplay Lost and Found film for today's podcast, I shall be back with another episode soon, until then it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho