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A serial that lampoons nepotism

He’s done it again! After Office Office the low profile writer, producer and director Ashwini Dheer has come up with yet another black comedy, Shri Sifarishilal on SAB TV, Monday’s and Tuesday’s at 8.30 pm. The sitcom revolves around a child who came into the world only when his mother got admission in the hospital through a sifarish. Now a young man, Shri Sifarishilal has become a pastmaster at bribing, backhanding and receiving favours for a price.

Deven Bhojani, who plays the lead, is genuinely funny in parts. The chubby star has come a long way since he played a servant in a nutty household in Dekh Bhai Dekh. Over the years, he has elevated himself into lead roles.

The protagonist in the serial keeps changing his profession every now and then with a letter of sifarish though he always fails to deliver. But what he doesn’t fail to do is to create commotion and chaos at his workplace due to his lack of knowledge.

Ably supported by Bhawna Balsawar and Rakesh Srivastava, the serial is a fitting spoof on the corrupt practices so prevalent in the country.

Love’s in the air

It’s the season of love once again and the small screen is all set to make the most of it. With Sony ruling the airwaves with Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, other channels too are getting their act together. Zee TV for one, is hoping that Aroona Irani’s Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahan, Sunday to Wednesday at 9.30 p.m., will turn its fortunes around.

This is Irani’s second run on the channel after her successful debut with Mehendi Tere Naam Ki. This time it’s a fairytale love story which revolves around Muskan and Aryan. The two are so hopelessly in love with each other that they feel that neither fate nor destiny can ever separate them.

Things take a dramatic turn and their lives spin out of control as the angle of reincarnation is introduced in the story. The Vikas Bhalla-Jividha Sharma starer that breaks the predictable pattern could be a saving grace for the sinking fortunes of Zee TV. After all, Aroona Irani has a huge hit like Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chaand on Star Plus.

Second time lucky?

It’s the second makeover the serial is getting in a couple of months. First, it changed from once a week to a daily soap. Now, in a bid to attract viewers, Zindagi...Teri Meri Kahani, Mondays to Fridays at 9 p.m. on Sahara Manoranjan, has had a change in the storyline. The serial is now revolving around the theme of marital discord set in contemporary milieu. It showcases the conflicts, joys, sorrows, ambition and greed of people supposedly very close to each other.

Will the new format help lift the fortunes of the serial? No one can tell. But after the collapse of the channel driver Karishma — The Miracle of Destiny, Sahara Manoranjan has had little choice but to perk up the storyline of a show that initially managed to attract some decent TRPs.The new cast includes stars like Rupali Ganguly, Manmeet Gulzar, Kunal, Abhimanyu and Zahid Ali. But only time will tell whether they’ll be able to pump up the adrenaline of viewers.

Aiming high

He’s on a roll and is enjoying every moment of it. The popularity of Kahin To Hoga on Star Plus is an icing on the cake for this young star who’s been around for a while and is now planning his entry in films.

"It was ordinariness of the character that attracted me to the serial. Everyone can play superman but the challenge is doing the role of a normal guy," says Rohit Bakshi, who plays Piyush — a good husband material who has a very practical approach to life.

But Rohit is not new to goody-goody roles. He played Vishal in Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and positive characters in serials like Manzilien Aur Bhi Hai, Tu Kahe Agar, Choodiyan and Kutumb. It was only in Kahin Kissi Roz, that he agreed to do a negative character as "I was getting tired of doing the chocolate cream characters."

Not many know that Rohit, a commerce graduate holds a degree in fashion designing. And he’s also the sporty kind who loves swimming, music and is a big movie buff.

It’s no surprise that he has a big screen plans for himself and would like to star in a Ramgopal Varma film with Shah Rukh and Madhuri. Designer dreams, indeed!

Mouse that clicks

After The Mask became a rage with kids, Cartoon Network is now offering animated series of hit Hollywood films. The latest is Stuart Little aired every Sunday at 2 p.m.

This half-hour animated comedy adventure tracks the escapades of two brothers Stuart and George. Stuart may be a three-inch tall mouse on the outside but on the inside he is bold, daring and curious with a never-say-die attitude.

Though George is human and big brother to Stuart in both size and age, he was a bit insecure when Stuart first came to live with them. But Stuart has been a big influence on George, encouraging him to take on challenges and join in daring exploits.

The furry hero explores the commonplace world from a fresh perspective, while he and his George, separated by species, joined by brotherhood have immense fun together and learn a few lessons along the way.

If you’re enjoying this series, the good news is that Spiderman is following suit.

— Mukesh Khosla

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