Sometime back there was the happy possibility of India’s best ever sitcom, Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai making a comeback. This time the news is confirmed; the TV serial is now returning as a web series which will start airing this May. Here is why we can all rejoice that Indian TV’s classiest ever sitcom is returning and here is what we know so far:
The trials and tribulations of the upper class, South Bombay Gujarati family will return as a web series. Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai is set to go on floors from today, and will we available from May 2017 as a web series suggest reports.
Sumeet Raghavan, who plays the beleaguered Sahil – the quintessential man torn between the manipulative mother and needy wife – is currently watching all the episodes of the original Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai which originally aired from November 2004 to April 2006. He revealed that there will be no change in his look. If you'd like to refresh your memory of the serial and enjoy some real humour, Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai is currently available on Hotstar.
Typically when we have a mother-in-law-daughter-in-law situation on Indian TV, it is loud and without nuance or subtlety. One or the other of the two women will be an evil, conniving, manipulative harridan. With Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai this situation was very real, relatable and by Indian standards, exceedingly subtle!
Where on the one hand, we had upper class Maya, who concerned herself with worthy causes, champagne sipping and poetry readings, on the other we had middle class Monisha, who delighted in the good bargain, street food, discount sales and haggling with the subzi vendor.
Without ever being preachy, the serial occasionally took digs at our hypocrisies and double standards.
Indian page 3 types are a class apart. The serial often took digs at how our upper classes like to be seen in the right places, making the right noises for the right causes, and subscribing to ‘arts’ such as they may be.
We look forward to seeing the return of Satish Shah, Indian TV and film’s leading funny guy; described as India’s No 1 Troll dad by netizens for his sarcasm and acerbic wit in his role as Indravadan Sarabhai.
Apart from all the other gentle social lampooning in the serial, it also showcased the average Indian male’s mother fixation via the character of Rosesh; Maya and Indravadan’s youngest son. I, for one am looking forward to some of that execrable ‘poetry’ in a new avatar.
We of course include other characters such as Madhusudan bhai (aka he he Kumar), the inimitable Dushyant – as the appliance wreaker – played by Deven Bhojani (also the director of the show) and others in our warm welcome.
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