Comedy shows are a staple on Indian television, with many of the programmes grabbing the prime-time spot. The latest to join the bandwagon is ‘Laughing Villa’ on Surya TV, which will have a galaxy of stars coming together on the same floor. The line-up has actors Navya Nair, Manianpilla Raju, Surabhi, Naseer Sankranti and Noby in the lead roles. The action unfolds in a villa owned by Navya, who appears as herself. While Manianpilla Raju plays her elder brother, Manju Pillai stars as his wife. Surabhi is Navya’s personal assistant and Naseer is the caretaker.
“My character is settled in Mumbai [just like she is in real life] and when she comes down to Kerala to her house, Laughing Villa, she often invites her friends and colleagues from the industry for a visit. I catch up with them, ask them about their work, even as Noby, who is Mr. X, entertains these guests. We shift between our real selves and the characters during the episode,” says Navya.
Navya, who was seen in many reality shows as a judge post her marriage, says that the show has been a terrific experience for her. “Matching up to leading comedy artistes is not a easy task. Having worked with actors such as Dileep and many others who are masters in comedy, I think I have a flair for comedy. Even then, it took me one episode to fall in line. The mood of the show was such that it happened naturally. Also, not everything is scripted. Therefore, punch lines and dialogues have to be natural and spontaneous. Everything should come from within,” Navya adds.
Manianpilla, who is no stranger to television, has high hopes about the show. “It is a show packaged with humour, interviews with actors, film promotions and games. You can just laugh for one hour,” he says.
The show has four segments. The first segment has a skit with all the characters. Guests enter in the second segment and the third segment has some games featuring them. “The fourth segment is a competition round with different comedy troupes presenting their skits. Navya and Manianpilla Raju are the judges,” says Shamnad Puthussery, programming head (Kerala) of Surya TV.
The first episode of ‘Laughing Villa’ had Jayaram as the guest. The forthcoming episodes will feature Manoj K. Jayan, Saikumar, Bindu Panicker, P. Jayachandran, Aju Varghese, and Kunchan, among others.
The show airs on weekends at 8.30 p.m.
