A Sitcom with a difference. Review on Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai

Stress and strains are part and parcel of this fast paced life that we lead. After all what we want is a bit of relaxation, to unwind from what we go through the whole day.

Television helps us in de- stressing – but it all depends upon what kind of program one views.

Current affairs is a topic that has become predictable, and most of the sitcoms are related to the family struggle, envy, extra marital affairs, etc., Comedy is rare and that to, comedy that is subtle, not garish is extremely rare.

One such comedy serial that stands apart from the current bouquet of sitcoms is Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai.

It is one sitcom that relieves the stress when you reach home after a hard day’s work. What makes Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai click ?

You can empathize with it because you do not have characters dressed up in comical attires, desperately trying to prove a point and make you laugh. The serial is set up in an up market family.

Like in most families, it has characters that fit in their roles perfectly,

Satish Shah - a veteran in acting, a good character artist and a good actor with reference to comedy – plays the role of Indravadan Sarabhai – like in most households he too suffers from overweight and cholesterol – hence is kept under check by his wife Maya Sarabhai. For which he hates his wife, and is on a look out to have good snacks etc., in the sly. He loves to pit, his wife and daughter-in-law against each other and enjoy the fun.

Ratna Pathak Shah – a very good actor, comes across as good snobbish upper middle class (Malabar Hill) Gujarati female, in the role of Maya Sarabhai wife of Indravadan Sarabhai, who is interested in maintaining her lifestyle and her family to reflect the standards of her society. She is interested in keeping her husband’s over eating habits in check, who hates and keeps taunting about her daughter – in – law. She loves her younger son very much, equally loves her elder son and looks up to him for intelligent and sane advices.

Sumeet Raghvan – has been in the field of acting as a child – His serial Faster Fene was a hit with kids, a good marathi and gujarati stage artist – fits the role of Saahil Sarabhai to perfection – he is a cosmetic surgeon and elder son of Maya and Indravadan Sarabhai, who has to tread the thin rope of not upsetting the fragile equation that exists between his wife and mother. He is sandwiched between being a good son and a good husband without taking sides.And also acts as peacemaker between Indravadan & Maya.

Rupali Ganguli – Is the daughter-in-law of Maya Sarabhai and wife of Saahil Sarabhai, she comes across as a laid back wife, who is not very keen of maintaining her house properly, who is always on a look out to save money, comes across as a housewife constantly on a look out for freebies, bargains etc., She is the constant source of (so called) embarrassment of Maya Sarabhai. Has the support of her father- in –law when the chips are down for her. A very good actor and foots the bill of Monisha Sarabhai to the hilt.

Rajesh Kumar – a very good actor in his own right – plays the role of Roshesh Sarabhai – he is a mama’s boy, who wants to be an actor and a poet. His poetry and his mannerisms make Indravadan and Sahil go mad. But he gets constant encouragement and support from Maya Sarabhai. His dialogue delivery is superb and makes the serial lively.

The acting Deven Bhojwani is superb – incidentally he is the son – in –law of Indravadan and Maya Sarabhai – Dushyant – character played by him is apt- he loves gizmos and loves explaining in-depth on any topic that is put forth to him. Soniya his wife’s life revolves around tarot cards.

The direction of Deven Bhojwani makes this serial, a serial with a difference - and not a run of the mill kind of serial.

The scripting by Atish Kapadia is just excellent.

The sets of Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai is very soothing, eye catching and to top it all it does not look like a set, it gives a feeling of a upmarket household.

To top it all there are no laugh prompters as in most of the comedy serials.

Each episode is a treat to watch. It is telecast on Star One at 9.00 pm on Mondays, which I make a point not to miss. For those who reach home late there is a repeat telecast at 11.30 pm same day – DON’T MISS IT