Khichdi (TV show)

Infobox Television
show_name = Khichdi


genre = sitcom
production house = Hats off productions
country = IND
channel = STAR Plus
website = http://starutsav.indya.com/serials/khichdi/index.html

Khichdi is a Hindi sitcom produced by UTV, which debuted in the early 2000s on STAR Plus and has been on- and off- air since. Unlike other Hindi sitcoms, which continuously air throughout the year, Khichdi is one of the earliest shows on Indian television to adopt the Western model of appearing in “seasons”. The second season aired on STAR One named instant khichdi.Khichdi is widely considered by audiences and television critics to be one of the finest examples of true situation comedy in India. It does not use a laugh track like many Indian comedy shows, but instead relies on its deadpan humour (a la Simpsons) and its witty lines to become its USP. The well etched out characters have become almost cult icons of Indian television, which is otherwise obsessed with family soaps. The reruns have aired on several channels including Star Utsav and POGO.

The Premise

Khichdi follows the story of the Parekh family, who live in an old mansion. The joint family encounters many typically Indian situations, but they try to solve it in the most untypical fashion imaginable. Joint Families - the moment we here this term a host of characters pop up in our minds. Scheming sisters-in-law, stuck up mother-in-law, clumsy servants, teary eyed grandparents and assorted youngsters. Khichdi is also one such joint family. However, this family has one thing that makes it distinct. This family is funny.

They laugh and make others laugh. This does not mean that they are bumbling idiots who scream shout and scamper like nitwits to create humour. They are real people with real problems and real idiosyncrasies. This is a funny bunch of people that is firmly united in their movement to get separated. They want to sell their ancestral property and move out and form their own nuclear families. But the head of their family doesn't agree.

He gives them the choice to walk out, but on their own steam and nobody is ready to let go of the money that's due to them. So they stay together and wait for the 'head' to change his mind or stop breathing, whichever happens first. And this is where our upwardly mobile middle class joint family faces its trails and tribulations in life.

Khichdi, explained in one simple word, is a look at the lighter side of an Indian joint family. There is no legacy of any empire, so no business feuds take place. However, conquering the one and only bedroom shall be a major issue. The good woman has a bad side and the bad woman is just great. They are people with grey shades to them, people whom the audience can identify with.

The Characters

-> Tulsidas – The family patriarch, always in a bad mood, but is known to have a good heart

-> Jayshree – The widowed daughter in law, who aims to sell the mansion and live in an independent apartment

-> Praful – Arguably the most colourful character in the series, Praful is Babuji’s son, and notoriously stupid. He is often seen interpreting things at face value, leading to hilarious situations.

-> Hansa – Praful’s wife, and equally, if not more, stupid. This couple is usually the darling of the audience, and are almost always the scene stealers.

Other Characters -

-> Raju - Son of Tulsidas. Very arrogant and always makes muscles.

-> Mellisa - Wife of Raju.

-> Himanshu - Brother of Hansa.

-> Jacky - Son of Jayshree. Keeps on saying "Bade Log Bade Log" along with Chakki.

-> Chakki - Daughter of Hansa and Praful. Keeps on saying "Bade Log Bade Log" along with Jacky.

-> Jignesh - Family friend of the "Parekhs".

Awards

Khichdi has been almost continuously awarded by various television awards in the country, ever since its debut, including the in-house Star Parivaar Awards

ee also

*instant khichdi