THE WEEK NIGHT DHAMAAL

It?s the longest running sitcom on Indian television. Over 1200 and it's still running. Inspired by Duniya Na Oondha Chashmah written by columnist and journalist Taarak Mehta for the Gujarati weekly magazine Chitralekha. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is among the few sitcoms universally watched in housing colonies and even in a few affluent homes of South Mumbai. The previous night?s episode sometimes takes centre stage in the chit-chat among the homemakers, between their chores.

The residents of Gokuldham are a cross-cultural lot. From the Kutchi trader (Jethalal Gada), the two intermarried couples ? Iyer and his glamorous Bengali wife Babita and the Sodhis, a Sardar Roshan and his wife also Roshan, a Parsi; the eponymous Tarak Mehta, with his diet-conscious wife Anjali, the Marathi-manus Bhide family, Dr Hathi and Popatlal, a single, crime reporter and the butt of the jokes of the Gokuldham vasis; and Abdul the soda shop owner.

The characters are as real our own neighbours. This charming bunch of residents have their own quirks and fantasies. Jethalal is Babitaji?s ardent admirer, known only to Tarak (his fire brigade, as he calls his best friend) and her husband Iyer, who in variably foils Jethalal?s plans. Atmaram Tukaram Bhide, the society?s sole secretary, a tutor and his wife Madhvi?s delivery boy for her aachar-papad business. Jethalal?s son Tapu and Bhide uncle share a relationship akin to Mr Wilson and Dennis the Menace. Patrakar Popatlal?s search for a bride always took him further away from his goal though he was aided and abetted by all the wives, who he adopted as sisters. Finally, Popatlal finds his partner, a runaway bride; the impression he makes on his sasoor leads the latter to call him ?50 gram ka aadmi.?

A satirical comedy, marked by crackling dialogues; the script writers take a long hard look at the events around us, and evolve a script filled with situations, laughs and yes, send a message. A set of episodes depicted the coaching classes? scam. Where a top student in a school, in this case Sonu Bhide, Atmaram?s daughter is the poster girl of a coaching class. Who should spot it, but Jethalal Gada? Irked that Bhide sent his own daughter to another class so she could top her school, he confronts Bhide. When the fraud is exposed and the principal of the classes arrested, Bhide and Jethalal mend their fences just as easily as they vocally slug it out.

The Gadas are Gokuldham?s family number one. They also denote the society?s complete family ? Champaklal, the Bapuji. Jethalal, the ideal, yet bumbling son, Daya, Jethalal?s devoted wife and the ideal daughter-in-law, and Tapu, their son, mastermind of Tapu sena?s antics and campaigns for social responsibility. Yes, Jethalal?s nemesis is his brother-in-law Sunder, cons him each time he visits Gokuldham.

Performances are evenly matched. However, the four Gadas steal the show. Dilip Joshi has given the character of Jethalal depth and simplicity. Disha Vakani?s energetic Daya is replete with her homespun honesty. The sitcom?s comic duo is Gada Electronics? shop assistants -- Natu kaka and Bhaga ? uniquely funny and likeable.

It?s a favourite pre-release show for the filmwallas, name them and the stars have appeared at least once on the show. The ultimate marketing tribute was when Sony Pictures tied up with the show for the pre-release of Smurfs!

A few episodes may have slumped, but Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah bounces back. At 8.30pm weeknights, Gokuldham is the place to be for the dhamaal.