Laughter seems to be the all season pill for television. Serials with serious subjects come and go but those specializing in humour stay the course because the common man of India is looking for release of tension of the everyday, routine and mundane life. Adding a new hue to the smile palette is “Satrangi Sasural” on Zee TV. Though it is not a purely comic show, it has got enough fun element which can work as a stress buster for the audience. There is a fair buzz about the show and its producer Bhairavi Raichura, better known to the television viewers as Kajal Bhai of “Hum Paanch” fame, is confident it will tick all the right boxes.
Excerpts from a chat:
You are better known as an actor with great comic timing. What made you turn to production?
It is a natural progression. There was a show “Astitva”, where I was acting and Nandita Mehra a good friend of mine was directing the show. It was during the shoot that we thought of showing some different stories to the audience; stories which we had in our mind and it all started from there.
Does it mean that you have called it quits as far as acting is concerned?
No, not at all, acting is my first love. I can never quit acting, the audiences love me as an actor. I enjoy it a lot and after doing this show you can see me acting. As of now I am very much involved with “Satrangi Sasural”, so it is not possible to do two things at a time.
How did “Satrangi Sasural” come about?
It is a great idea. Earlier we have seen mothers-in-law dealing with many bahus, but here it is a completely different story, we have a bahu with seven mothers-in-law. The channel wanted something like this and our writer Purnendu Shah is doing the rest.
You have roped in some big names. How difficult was the task of choosing them?
Initially it was very difficult to convince them about their roles. Everyone was concerned which as an actor I can understand, but when their roles were narrated they all joined in and with Faridaji (Farida Jalal) on board, it is real fun.
The serial is in on the 10 p.m. slot. Don’t you think a little earlier would have been better?
It is up to the channel, they do discuss with us but they have to take the decision. As far as we are concerned, we are very happy and satisfied with the 10 p.m. slot as this is the time when everyone can watch it.
