Laugh out loud!

Comedies made a huge impact on the small screen this year.

THE FUNNY BONE: The new comic capers on TV
not only tickle you but also make you feel good

SAAS-BAHU sagas that ruled the Indian television have gone out of fashion. They have been replaced by light-hearted soaps that have made their way into Indian homes. This year saw shows that could make you laugh, and make you want to ask for more. If Tulsi and Parvati were the empresses of yesteryear, Suhana Bajpayee of Sasural Genda Phool and Daya Jethalal Gada of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah are the new flavours of the season. This is not the first time that television has been swamped by such shows. Not so long ago, Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, Khichdi and Ba Bahu Aur Baby ruled the charts. This year, television saw many shows like Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo, Papad Pol-Shahbuddin Rathod Ki Rangeen Duniya, Saas Bina Sasural and Sasural Genda Phool do really well with the audiences. Other shows, including Comedy Circus and Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah garnered praises as well.

Ask Archana Puran Singh, judge on Comedy Circus and actor, and she says, “There is enough in the world that one can cry about. The onion prices make people cry. But the fun shows make you laugh till you get tears in your eyes. With people losing their jobs and recession making you sad, you want to watch shows that would make you smile and entertain you.” Comedy has made such an impact that even when big shows air during prime time, sections of the audience prefer comic serials. “People want to get entertained. They are picking up fast, and the real-life saas and bahu wish to laugh now,” says Krushna Abhishek, stand-up comedian and actor. Remembering an incident, where he was given a tight security before a performance, he narrates, “It was weird to see so much of security for me. I was like I am not Shah Rukh Khan, mujhe security nahi chahiye. But when I got off the stage. I saw the crowd. They had gone berserk. That’s the kind of popularity comedy shows have.”

Many makers look beyond the craft of making stereotypical comedies. Says EVP and Business head of a leading t e l ev i s i o n ch a n n e l , A n o o j Kapoor, “ Yo u cannot call Papad Pol, Sajan re and others comedies as they are light-hearted family entertainment shows. They have a refreshing and positive feel. Also, there has been an overdose of saas-bahu sagas. People are welcoming light-hearted shows with a smile.” Shows with the right mix of wit and emotion make for wholesome entertainment. TV actor Dilip Joshi aka Jethalal of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah rightly says, “These shows are like Gujarati thalis, and they have a bit of everything.” We agree!