Released in India on 7 July 1972, the film stars an ensemble cast of Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bhaduri, Asrani, Harindranath Chattopadhyay, A.K.

The story is centered around the squabbling Sharma family, headed by their eccentric Daduji, which has a dubious reputation of the inability to retain a cook for more than a few months due to their ill treatment of their domestic helps.

The family's disrepute spreads to such an extent that no person wants to be employed as a cook in their home, named Shanti Niwas (abode of peace).

After the opening graphics, which use the cooking theme for good effect, the film begins with Amitabh Bachchan, being the narrator, announcing the credits against a rather oddly static red curtain, and then introducing the various characters in the story.

Despite his grumpy demeanour, he is the only person in the house to think about the welfare of Krishna Sharma (Jaya Bhaduri), the orphaned daughter of his late second son and daughter-in-law, who both died in a car accident several years ago.

Seeta complains of her gout which makes her unable to help with the various household chores, while Meeta is just plain lazy and does get out of bed only for dance lessons and party visits.

The last member in the family is Daduji's fourth son Vishwanath Sharma (Asrani), a music director for films, who copies English songs, adds Hindi lyrics to them and records them as Krishna aptly puts it.

The final two characters in the film are Guruji (Paintal), Meeta's dance teacher, and Arun, Krishna's tutor and also love interest.

Raghu seems to be the answer to everyone's prayers as he insists in a low salary, cooks amazing food and also has talents as a philosopher, singer, composer and dance instructor to name but a few.

Raghu seems to be a gift from the deities as his unfailing happiness and good cheer start to have an impact on the family, as does his willingness to tackle even the most demeaning of tasks.

This large box happens to contain the family jewelleries and added in to reports of a thief in the area makes Raghu's arrival a little suspicious.

"[4] All lyrics are written by Kaifi Azmi (except "Hey Good Morning" which was penned by Gulzar); all music is composed by Madan Mohan