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Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: Sept 14: Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai is the new sensation that has gripped TV viewers of late. The serial is doing quite well as compared to dozen other sitcoms desperately vying for the viewer’s attention.

Did the artists have any idea the show would be such a rage, when they took it up? No, in fact, most of the artists took up the show, only because they wanted to work with veteran artists like Ratna Pathak and Satish Shah.

If Ratnaji and Satishji agreed to do the show, there must be something about it, echoed Rupali Ganguli (Monisha in Sarabhai), Sumeet Raghavan (Saahil), and Rajesh Kumar (Roshesh).

Infact Satish Shah has returned to the small screen after a long hiatus of six years. With the kind of roles that were being offered to me, I decided it was in my best interest to take sanyaas from television, he laughs.

Shah adds that the kind of comedy that rules the Indian television is
forceful. It is very artificial, and I couldn’t bring myself to do those roles, he explains.

Shah had worked with Pathak earlier for a sitcom ‘Filmi Chakkar, which gelled very well with the audience. “After that serial, everyone wanted us to act as a funny couple,” he laughs.


What exactly does Sarabhai have in it, that the other sitcoms lack?
Rupali believes it is the writer Aatish, who has made the magic possible.
Everyone recognizes me as middle class girl from Sarabhai. I really am
like Monisha in every walk of life. Typically middle class, she laughs.

The only other sitcom that Satish Shah considers to be in par with Sarabhai is ‘Office Office’He opines that in these serials each character is not reduced to just the protagonists mother or sister. They are all very well defined and that translates on to the screen.

Sumeet Raghavan remarks that the audience will not laugh just for the heck of it. It is only when things are logically funny that people will
laugh. Personally, I would not like to be part of a ‘below the belt
comedy.’ He adds, “There was an episode in Sarabhai which dealt with erectile dysfunction. But it was so aesthetically done, that parents could sit and watch it with their children, and not be embarrassed about it.”
The viewers are, evidently loving it too, as the TRPs show. Says Robina Fernandes, an avid Sarabhai watcher, “I can’t really pin point
a particular aspect of the show that pulls me towards it, because I find
it perfect. It has all the ingredients in the right quantities. There
is something for a kid, to a grandma, or a teenager,” she adds.

The channel is more than happy to introduce itself as the broadcasters of the show. Every actor is happy to be associated with the show (an important factor, especially at a time when actors from every other show are having a problem and are opting out).

I would never dream of quitting Sarabhai. In fact you will find me
loitering on the sets, even when I am not shooting. It is my dose of
relaxation. Satish Shah and Sumeet are constantly pulling my leg and make me laugh all the time. I have a blast on the sets of this show, assures Rupali.

Sujata Anthony Reddy