Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi

In today’s day when there are many number of channels where each channel has its own aspect to fulfill. There is news channel, music channel & many others. But back in 80’s when there is only one channel Doordarshan & it has more number of viewer than any other channel in today’s date. So to entertain these many people with one glance is most difficult work to do. And the critics say too that, to make laugh is the most difficult job to do. But a sitcom, which could be said as one of the first among many to follow both in genre & other, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi proves to be a complete entertainer. 

And it doesn’t belong to the boundaries. It goes well beyond overseas too. In those days also people use to wait for its DVD’s in parlors in UK, as Wiki page says. If I haven’t watch the series myself, maybe for once I’ll call it as a metaphor but after watching it, I could say that yes it is one of the best sitcom ever played on small screen. It has genuine laugh to offer. It brings comedy from the daily routine humor. The character artists make you laugh just on the basis of their supreme talent. And I want to mention one thing pretty clears here, that if there is no Satish Shah here in this series, it would not be the result what it is today. The cult status this series has is just because of Shah, as he will make you giggle every time you watch him on screen. You will wait for him to enter the screen in any character.

Basically Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi is based on Comedy of Error. Its central character Ranjit, Renu & Raja played by Shafi Inamdar, Swaroop Sampat & Rakesh Bedi respectively are in the role of husband, wife & brother-in-law. Satish Shah entertains the audience with different character & may be because this he was able to showcase his talent on such a grand case. Watching the show it feels that there is no one else can play those parts with such an ease as Shah does. He is hilarious, magical & yet in the skin of the character. Sometime one gets the feel that it is Shah’s show & the other three are providing the support whereas the case is just opposite. There is many other names too in supporting cast like Tiku Talsania, Sulbha Arya, Vijay Kashyap, Anjan Srivastav. After 23 episodes Safi Inamdar gets disappear from the show as it is shown that he is out of country. In that period Farida Jalal enters the screen as Chachi with Reena Wadhwa as her daughter, Rashmi. There are some celebs for guest appearance in single episode like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Satish Kaushik. As it also Kundan Shah as one of the director, many character artists from the serial Nukkad also make guest appearance in different episode like Pawan Malhotra, Sameer Khakkar & others. Javed Khan is there for many episodes as Jhumru, a servant to Chachi.

However the feel which came having Ranjit, Renu & Raja in stories never came across in the time of Chachi. Javed Khan irritates most of the time. But one man who never let down the show & its feel is Shah. I want to mention some lines from different episode which I love the most. Most of these lines are mouthed by Shah’s character only. These are as

• Main jo sochta hai wo hota nahin, jo hota hai wahi sochne lagta hai (Satish Shah delivers these lines in South Indian tone & every time jumbling the words up. So it adds up the humor)
• Main ghoom ghoom ke tumhare liye Sanjeevni Booti dhund raha hun (Though these line are used by Shah’s character playing Doctor this time, to consolidate the Ranjit who is acting like Anand’s Khanna, but it turns humorous because of Shah’s style of delivery)
• Haath milaiye, main bhi usse pyar karta hoon (Deliver by Raja as he falls for the same girl for whom Shah is already crazy)
• Uncle bataiye aur kya kya pack kara doon (Raja ask Shah who is playing a thief this time that what else he wants in ransom)
• Pehle admission do baad mein bachche paida karenge (Ranjit on his future planning for his child’s admission)
• Bachchon ki duniya hai baba, bachchon ka hai mazma (Shah as a toy seller uses these lines as a song to attract the crowd)
• Darwaza kholo mujhe tumhe goli marni hai (Eccentric Ram Bhai played by Shah asks to open the door as he wants to shoot Raja)
• Gair kanooni dhang se ticket lena kanooni hai (Shah, as a cop who used to forget the words in between a line)
• Yeh kya ho raha hai (Deliver by Talsania in his unique way of delivery)

Every character plays their part too well. In start you feel that Inamdar & all are pretty average against Shah, but you get to feel that they are just get overshadowed by Shah nothing else. One misses Inamdar as Ranjit like Renu misses him. Inamdar & Sampat’s chemistry is a top notch. They played their part with so perfection as you get attached to them. I like to mention some episode here where they leave their effect in spite of Shah’s presence.

• Cancer – In this episode Ranjit gets someone else’s report who has cancer. So he get to think that he has cancer & start acting like Anand’s Khanna. Shah provide adequate support as Bachchan like doctor. There is a scene where Ranjit ask him to laugh whenever he feels to cry and Shah provide immense laughter in those scene.
• Truth or lies – Here Shah gets very little screen space. So the main three have enough chance to giggle the audience. Especially Inamdar as Ranjit tickle your funny bone heavily in a serious gesture.
• Marital Rift – Based on daily husband & wife quarrel. So it has to be them as the lead. Shah enters as Ranjit’s father.
• Cooking Range – More on emotional quotient, this episode is more on understanding in family. Shah reprise his role as Ranjit’s father
• Time is Money – Episode solely based on Ranjit supported by Renu & Raja
• Boy Friend – Renu tries to woo Ranjit as he is giving her lecture for being more liberated. Though Shah acts as Renu’s boy friend. But it’s Renu & Ranjit who plays the lead seriously.

A lot has been said about Shah already in the post. But it will be incomplete to mention his best among best character which is must to see. They are as

• Lawyer in very first episode Divorce.
• As south Indian father in The South Indian Marriage episode
• Already discuss Cancer episode as Doctor
• As Keshwani in Women’s Liberation episode part 2 where he is shown cleaning Rice along with Ranjit. He bring house down in 2-3 minute of performance trying to find diamond in rice.
• As Mishra in Unwanted Guest episode
• In Rambhai Shyambhai episode he plays double role. But its Rambhai snatching sleeves from his mouth at regular interval that makes unforgettable appearance.
• As eccentric  professor in Jhumru becomes smart episode
• In Raja’s interview episode he touch the highest peak of his performance as a pretending officer, originally a failed actor. He deliver every line with some gesture or act.
• In Instant Solution episode he plays plays triple role. But it was the role of actor who get caught in the role of Shahjahan that makes highest impression.

In Rashmi in Love & Mary episode he imitates Ajeet & Rajesh Khanna so effectively that it looks as a part of character.

Rakesh Bedi also provides terrific support along with Shah. He provides either punch or base to hit punches on him. He is their in every episode along with both Chachi & Ranjit. Vijay Kashyap & Sulbha Arya as Mr & Mrs Bhattacharya, a Bengali neighbor, hits the top spot whenever they get chance, specially in episode Bhattacharya’s act, Renu Misses Ranjit etc

It’s direction is done by Raman Kumar, Kundan Shah & Manjul Sinha. The later two also involves in the direction of Naya Nukkad. Both serials tries to make heavy social comment. But in case of Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, the tone is lighter & message is as effective as in Nukkad. The lead character have their doors & windows open as their heart through out the serial which shows the simplicity & faith people have in those days. It also shows other part of life in those days which are borrowed heavily in coming day’s serials like neighbor asking for sugar, background laugh on punches etc. Some time background score is borrowed from Hollywood movies like Chariots of fire.

Sharad Joshi’s script is always on target. To make people laugh first time in a time interval of 22-23 minute, with scripts which make effect in coming future also is itself speak of its own. To write a cult show in very first time is already speaking of the talent in high volume.

Overall, if you want to watch an original, genuine comedy series, go for this. Some of the episode have greater repeat value than many of the films released now a days. And for a final time, take a bow Satish Shah.

Naya Nukkad(1993-94)-Old Doordarshan Serial

Nukkad is an all time classic TV series ever aired. Because of it’s immense popularity & success, it become the first Indian TV serial which have second season in form of Naya Nukkad. Nukkad deals with the problem of some simple poor people of metro’s in mid 80’s. Naya Nukkad aired almost seven later in the start of 90’s. It tries to be in sync with the time & society, but it fails heavily.

Naya Nukkad start from no where. It never justify it’s re-run. Last season ends with some Govt. construction being done in Nukkad and some of the people who were the part of old Nukkad paying their tribute in last episode. So how does this Nukkad established again. Is it the same place or different, never cleared.
Further, Naya Nukkad comes with a much bigger team of directors. Previously it was directed by the trio of Aziz Mirza, Saeed Akhtar Mirza & Kundan Shah. But this time lot of new names join the trio like Sudhir Mishra, Manjul Sinha, Sanjay Chhel etc. They are never clear as individual or team that what is the theme they want to deliver. Naya Nukkad starts of with introduction to new character. Then it goes on to take more a romantic turn with lots of couple being made in Nukkad. Suddenly Ullas Bhai comes into scene with a social club. In between Apne Lal, relative of Maniklal comes into scene with some negativity. There are some episode testing the honesty of Ganpat, showing the humanity of Raja, giving some preaching through the character of Dukhiya & Ghanshu. Later due to new social club, Hari, Dukhiya & other starts diverting towards social club. Finally, it turns into a poem on screen(several episode are termed as “A Poetic Confession”). Then again it turns into drama in last 20-22 episode where Nukkad people fight against builders & gangsters
Naya Nukkad stars too many theater personality like Makrand Deshpande, Neeraj Vohra, Shefali Chaya(now Shah), Tushar Dalvi etc. It introduces some new character like Karan & Usha, who elopes from their home as they are in love and their parents are not accepting it. Sheetal a new worker in Mrs Maniklal(as Mr. Maniklal is dead, told almost in climax), also Hari’s new love intrest, Ullas Bhai, Pakya, Gullu Bhai as Social Club members, two character of Sweety(why one leaves in between never told, though she is treated as one of the character in most of the part), & in later part Munna Bhai, Badshah Khan, Advocate Khare & many more.
It has several loop hole in story telling & screen play. They are as follows:-

• Hari leaves in between & never seen again though he is one of the main character. Later he tries to sold his shop, which is own by someone else & he has taken it on rent. Than how could he sell it? Again as Raja tries to sell Hari’s shop through agent Rokadiya Seth comes in but after that neither Hari nor Sheetal shows any interest in shop, why? No answer. Also Sheetal is ready to go twice or thrice but she never leaves, why?
• Khopadi leaves drinking in between & than starts again & than leaves & than start again. What the hell, are you not confirmed what you want to do Mr. team of directors. 
• There are various incidents  mostly after episode 38 where character are throwing gags & unwanted jokes in some of the intense moment, as if nothing has happened. Why? It doesn’t lighten the intensity rather it’s too irritating.
• Neither in Nukkad nor in Naya Nukkad there is enough detail of Badshah Khan suddenly who become Godfather for Guru. He is shown as the life long instructor of Guru. Suddenly?
• The character playing Karan’s Dad & Rokadiya Seth are same? Why. Don’t you have money for an extra actor or this is what you really want to show
•  Ullas Bhai, Gullu Bhai disappears where & why no one knows.
• Some character never look comfortable among the people of Nukkad like Zaffar Bhai, second Sweety
• Suddenly a character wants to leave, in next frame he is still there & suddenly he disappear like Zaffer Bhai, quite confused.
• Also in the final episode they can’t end it with like the end it deserve.
• Character of Usha & Mrs. Maniklal is quite undefined. They irritates like hell. They are introduced after some frame & they always do the same thing

After all these short comings, Naya Nukkad has some plus points too. First & most importantly, it is second season to The Nukkad. The avid fans of Nukkad are bound to watch this. It becomes Naya Nukkad completely after episode 38. Till then it impress in bits & pieces. Several episode have glimpse of Nukkad, just settelled in Utopian world with Utopian kind of character. It also goes on to impress various movie director for scio-crime drama. A common man turning into gangster have been topic for many movie like Vastav etc. It has same rip off dialogue of Once Upon in Time in Mumbai, in a episode where Guru goes to settle thing with Saleem Chilka. Last 20 some thing episode can be called as base for movie like Shanghai(just they are calling it like Hon-Kong)
Acting wise two people impress heavily. They are Dilip Dhawan as Guru & Sameer Khakkar as Khopadi. Guru has some great character sketch in end. He is like a super hero turned into Dark knight for the Nukkad. But due to experimenting direction people of Nukkad have conflicting & mis-guiding views regarding him. More than the story, directors have colored him grey. But Khopadi has never lost his charm. He is cute & logical as ever. He is one of hell of a talent, but unfortunately most underrated.
Raja played by Haider Ali is played the character over the top except some episode from 40-45 where he has shown immense intensity. Rama Viz as Teacher ji is Okay. All the other from Nukkad has lost their touch. Some people like artist playing Usha & Dagdu has done a lot of over acting.
But there are some good back ground score. Though editing can be much better but okay. Some of the dialogue are pretty good.

Overall Nukkad has a cult status which Naya Nukkad can’t achieve, not the fraction of it. But it is still better than many drama currently in air. It is devastated because lot of experimenting. It ended with assurance of next season which never happens & never could be. But than also people will love & remember it due to Nukkad only.

Overall Rating: Three out of Five

Nukkad(1986-87) – Old Doordarshan Serial

I can’t say about this present day generation, born after 90; but most of the 80’s born generation will remember the serial Nukkad for always. I’m no one to review this cult classic. Neither I nor anyone else can review this. Everyone can just pay their homage to this gem directed by three popular directors of art house i.e Kundan Shah, Saeed Akhtar Mirza & Aziz Mirza.

Nukkad is a 40 episode series consisting of more than 25 different stories(some stories continues for two episode), in which most of the story can be a base for an entire movie script. Here I want to discuss two important stories which I personally feel provided the base, again for two cult movie. First story is where the parents arrive of one of the Nukkad member(Gopal aka Khopadi). And complete nukkad treat him in the way so as their parent find their son a wealthy and a good man. It is similar to the starting of Munnabhai MBBS. And secondly a story where Nukkad challenges the college boys for cricket in order to prove their respect and dignity. Most of them haven’t played the cricket and they are pretty much awkward in playing gently, but then also they go on to win the much to symbolize the victory of good over evil. Same is the case with Lagaan. Also Ashutosh Gowarikar, director of Lagaan had worked with the directorial team of Nukkad, in Circus. May be that had inspired him about their work.

Apart from being content full Nukkad has all the masala of  main stream cinema, yet it is real, touching and identifiable for every one from every age group at the time of it’s run. It depicts some philosophical stories too. Like in one where Mohan Choti came as Madari or an episode where master ji dies and a couple arrive & the women is suffering from labor pain. Or take the episode where a man is killing the people with stone. It touches all the aspect of life. It has characters which symbolize ever aspect of life. It is because of them the Nukkad looks so real.

Raghunath aka Guru represents young and idol leader, some time enthusiastic, some time harsh. If he has aggressiveness, he has a soft corner too. Guru played by Dilip Dhawan is one of the most popular and loved character of the serial. All are for him and he is for all.

Ms Cherian aka Teacher ji is the love interest of Guru. Though they never confess their love in this season, but than also any one can see the vibe between the two. The chemistry between the two is superb. Apart from being the love interest, this character played by Rama Viz is a kind of reformer, educator and medium of inspiration for many. In the serial she is reason of transformation of a thief (showed in the last episode), guide for one student among the Nukkad people, and many more

Haider Ali who played Raja Harshad Bhai Shambhu Bhai Patel aka Raja is a prankstar. He depicts the youngsters who are educated, who dreams big, but can’t do beyond that. They began to visualize their dreams as real and started telling it to people so that they also can believe and become a part of their dream.

Harischandra Maurya aka Hari played by Pawan Malhotra represents the romanticism of 80’s. He love Madhu, daughter of a shopkeeper. Therefore showing the love story between rich and poor. Also a girl named Radha love Hari, forming a love triangle. And that is the specialty of the serial, that every character was multidimensional, every story was multilayer-ed

Now my personal favorite Gopal aka Khopadi. He is a drunkard but than also he never lose control. He always use to tell the logical thing or real thing. He ran away from his house to become some thing but he fails and become a drunkard. Many people can find such character around them. But no one can match the love & affection of Khopadi. He had never said any thing harsh or rude to any one. Neither had he abused anyone ever after being drunk. He had a cuteness after being drunk also. Sameer Khakhar played the role to such perfection that some time I feel he has outplayed Johny Walker or Keshto Mukherjee too.

Now there are several shopkeepers like Kareem Khan, a barber, palyed by Javed Khan, Kader a hotelier, played by Avtar Gill, Dukhiya a poet played by Suresh Chatwal, Chaurasiya, a pan wala played by Shrichand Makhija, Kundu, a cobbler, Ghansahyam Das aka Ghanshu, a beggar played by Suresh Bhagwat, Tambi a student, Dagdu a sweeper, Master ji a band master and an honest police constable Ganpat played by Ajay Wadhvakar.

They all had some dream which are very common. Some are also shown in form of some episode. Some want to go abroad, some want to start a business like auto driver, some want to enlarged their shop etc. But they always remain as a family member. They never look like a society or street corner. Most of the stories has natural ending. They never forced them to be happy ending. Like in one where Hari can’t ride the cycle for 5 days or where an honest corporator lose the election because of religion or an episode where Raja, Khopadi and Dukhiya bought a stolen scooter unknowingly.

The acting by all the cast is very natural. Most of them are from NSD or FTII. Cinematography is top notch. Editing by Renu Saluja is excellent. To show such content full story with messages in 23 or 24 minute is way too difficult.  Direction is first rate. Different story is directed by different one from the trio. But execution of every episode is perfect.

Because of these reason Nukkad is one of the best serial ever aired on television. May be the present day generation can’t connect with such character because life is not so simple these days. People can’t dream for such silly thing. May be that love is not in the air for other civilian. And then love is missing these days among family only. But Nukkad should be watched by one and all. Because it will show you the real image of Indian society of 80’s and before, when life is not a race.

Nukkad has a second season too as Naya Nukkad but the society has started changing at it’s time of run and people can’t acknowledge with it. Also to match the first season, some time it goes over the top in some episode. Basically Nukkad deals with the real world & Naya Nukkad belongs to a kind of utopian world.Most of the major character remain unchanged in second season too. It also introduced some new character. But it lacks the charm and popularity of first. It mainly revolves in romantic angles between characters in most episode.

The show is above all rating. And again in the end it’s not a review, it’s a tribute to Old DD, 80’s and simplicity.

If any one wants too watch the complete show. GO HERE
If you like this show & wants to watch more. GO HERE for Naya Nukkad