It is this fanaticism that has brought back the beloved Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai family to the screen after 10 years. JD Majethia, producer of the show gets chatty with Vaibhav Ratra
Momma.” “How middle class!” “Aila!” If you answered Sarabhai vs Sarabhai in a blink, then you are a part of the legions of fans that is awaiting the second season of the show, with baited birth. While popular shows do have second seasons, what makes this one exceptional is that it is back on air after a decade.
Though JD Majethia made us laugh through his acting and direction, it is perhaps as producer of the serial that he is best known for. He explains the reason why it took time for the show to come back on air. He says, “Coming back after a decade is not at all easy but the most challenging part was to get dates from entire cast as they had their own commitments and schedules. Recreation is always a tough job and to re-create the content which people loved for so many years is very difficult as you have to improve upon the standards of previous season.” He was also heartened to see that the entire cast performing the same way that they did in the first season.
Majethia is sure about one thing – the Indian audience is fundamentalist. “Indian fans are fundamentalist. If they don’t like you, you are gone. But if they like you, they will never forget you, which is what happened with Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. We always wanted to bring the show back but we were scared if we will be able to create the magic again.
Describing the inception of the iconic show, Majethia recalls, “We started making comedies with Khichdi but didn’t want to get stuck with a particular image. We wanted to try something which would be absolutely opposite of Khichdi and that’s how the storyline of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai took root.”
However, the surprising part was that initially the show was a flop. It was only when it was re telecast that it became a hit. And yes, the re-telecast continued for a good seven-eight years! If that is not a good gauge of the kind of following the show commanded, what isIJ
The serial outlined the story of the Sarabhais, a dysfunctional upper-class family in Mumbai with a middle-class daughter-in-law, Monisha Sarabhai. “What really clicked for the show was that every character brought in a different kind of humour to the screen. Their acting was on point, and the Indian audience instantly connected with the family.”
The new season by the looks of the teaser, looks as promising if not more from its earlier season. The show will also feature some new characters. While the original cast of Ratna Pathak Shah, Satish Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly and Rajesh Kumar remain, additions include Aishwarya Sakhuja and Urvashi Upadyay. “In order to spice up the sitcom, there will be three additions to the Sarabhai family which include Sahil and Monisha’s son, Sahil’s sister and our favourite poet Roshesh’s fiancé,” said Majethia.
However, Majethia does not want to have a long run for this season, He said, “When we did 70 episodes of season one, it stopped for a long time so this time let’s not be greedy and enjoy the show in small bits. There will be more seasons depending on the response from the audience.”
Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Take 2 will be launched on digital platform. According to Majethia, “Digital medium is the strongest platform today. Today 80 million people have shifted to digital platform for comedy. Our show is starting from May 16 and will be telecast every Tuesday. Every Friday we also have a gig based on each character of the Sarabhai family.”
The fans sure can’t wait any more.