Nov 14, 2007 05:41 PM
11839 Views
(Updated Nov 14, 2007 10:13 PM)
Was it a hectic day for you? Got up late? Maid didn’t turn up? Deadlines to be met at the office? Altercation with colleague? Cold war with boss? Traffic jam while returning? Loads of homework for your kids or self???
Relax. Take a deep breath. Reach out for that remote. Plonk yourself on that couch. Become a potato. Switch to the channel Star One at 9:30 pm IST. Its half an hour filled with smiles, guffaws and laughter and at the end of half an hour, you would find your worry-lines gone even without using those miracle anti-ageing creams!
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Do you remember that serial of 80s called Ye Jo Hai Zindagi starring Shafi Inamdar, Swaroop Sampat and Satish Shah? Remember how you used to laugh your worries out? I would certainly not be over-rating if I say that it was one of the best serials ever shown on the idiot box.
If there is any serial that comes close to that in todays age, its Sarabhai versus Sarabhai. It is a sitcom based on the life of an upper middle class family based in Mumbai. The serial was first aired in 2005 and what they are showing now is repeat telecast, and it still carries those moments, as fresh, as the veggies early in the morning in a sabzi mandi :D
THE CHIEF CHARACTERS
Indravadan Sarabhai: The rich and ex-director of a company, who happens to be the head of the family and leading a life filled with the little fights that any retired man does with his wife. The fights range from anywhere between “i-wont-drink-the-milk” to “i-want-to-divorce-you”. A role that is perfectly rendered by SatishShah. He is one actor who has the perfect timing that is so essential for a comedy scene.
Maya Sarabhai: The uppity wife of Indravadan, who cannot endure anything that is not of “high class”. Her life revolves around monitoring that nothing remotely “middle class” enters the domain of her family. In this endeavor, she is constantly at loggerheads with Manisha, renamed as MONISHA by Maya, who happens to be her daughter-in-law and middle-class personified! The role of Maya could not have been done better by anyone other than Ratna Pathak Shah.
Sahil Sarabhai: The first of the next-generation of Sarabhai. The eldest son of Indravadan, who is a plastic surgeon by profession, but a typical Indian male by birth, forever torn between his wife and mother. Sumeet Raghavan does a convincing job.
Manisha Sarabhai: Wife of Sahil, daughter-in-law of Maya, a girl who has climbed the rungs of the social ladder only after her marriage, who cannot easily let go of her old habits (of bargaining, looking for best offers, loud talks, eating with hands etc) and in the process bearing the brunt of Maya, though Indravadan likes her “middle class” behaviour. Roopali Ganguli shines bright as Manisha.
Rosesh Sarabhai: The younger son of Indravadan, Rosish, is a typical mommas boy. He has a typical accent. He is a wannabe poet and pens horrendous poems. He is forever the subject of Indravadans ridicules. Rajesh Kumar has done a marvellous job here.
OTHER CHARACTERS
Dushyant: Son-in-law of Indravadan, husband to Sonya (who is totally into Tarots) and self-proclaimed geek, he talks only about gadgets and scientifically correct statements adding further to chaos and confusions. Deven Bhojani who does the role is also the director of the serial.
Madhusudan Phupa (Aryan Vaidya): Madhubhai is Indravadan's brother in law, married to Indravadhan's sister Ilaben. His hearing is impaired but he refuses to use a hearing aid. Constantly punctuating other’s statements with a dumb “hain??”, he gets on everyones nerves, much to the audience delight.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SERIALS:
Manisha’s “middle class”ness – Her excitement on finding the best offers, sales and discounts provides for a lot of laughs. Add to it, her loud habits, her addiction to TV serials and inability to be a good homemaker (her house is a mess), and that’s all it takes Maya to make her the target of her satire.
Maya’s idiosyncrasies– The way Maya tries to show off her uppishness is a treat to watch. She loves to constantly berate Manisha and her habits. Leaves no stone unturned to mock at her DIL.
Background score - Everytime Maya shows off, there is an ecphonesis "Oh My My" at the back. Similarly, when she pokes fun at Monisha, there is a gunshot sound for the effect. Essentially, instead of violins, sitars or pianos, its these exclamations that you hear and they sure add to the charm. And yes, you wont find those artificial laughters in the background.
Rosesh and his poems - Poetic licence put to best use! Dont believe me? Watch the serial :)
On the whole, a laugh riot by Hats Off Production... hats off to them. See this https://starone.indya.com/serials/svs/episodeguide.html for some glimpse on some of the episodes. There are some free videos on the net. Try this
https://zippyvideos.com/9907078292251136/sarabhai_vs_sarabhai-14th_nov-by_avm/
and this
https://zippyvideos.com/6454263612142276/sara_vs_sara_-nov_7th_episode-by_avm/
There is this too
https://broadband.indya.com/genre.aspx?gid=245
but this is not a free download :(
Each episode is independant and you dont have to keep track of them like those K-serials. A must watch for anyone suffering from boredom, depression, worries, tensions. You wont have to pay your doctor! :D
