Why we love Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah

It all began somewhere in 2008. The world was reeling from its biggest ever financial crisis. Economies took a free fall. Businesses were upturned. Bad credit became the name of the day, with most countries reeling from stagnation in growth, and loan overburdens.

Around the same time in India, a comedy show was launched on SAB TV- a channel renowned to specialize in comedies. At the time, it was just another show airing on the telly. But soon enough, it gained a massive fan following across the country. It became a symbol of laughter, a binding force for people to connect and talk about from all walks of life. It grew slowly and steadily with hundreds and thousands of episodes’ worth of content throughout the passing years. And it still airs in 2021.

It has been one of my favorite shows and I even grew up with it, like many of my peers. I was fifteen when it started to air, and after watching it a couple of times, I was hooked. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has given me years of laughter, and memories and now gives me a bittersweet nostalgia. So much so, that I sometimes watch the old golden episodes to unwind and to experience the nostalgia again.

Its evergreen appeal and vast acceptance by the audience has something to do with the relatibility and hilarity of the show. Read on to know why we all love this show even after so long!

1. The Characters: TMKOC has a blend of characters that endear almost all viewers. Iconic characters like Jethalal, Daya, Bapu ji, and Sunderlal, Nattu Kaka have endeared audiences all through the years with their silly charades and plays. Almost each character has its own quirks and has been creatively designed to hold together the show.
2. The simple story lines: The story lines on the show are everyday events and occurences. The simplicity of the show combined with the hilarious comedy is what drew larger audiences towards the show. The entire show is set in a housing society/ neighborhood concept with plot lines evolving from daily meetings between the residents and their families.
3. The Utopian setting: This show is certainly a ‘feel good’ show; for everyone gets along with everyone. The neighbors of the society are whole and soul there for each other no matter what. There is little to no relevance of the outside world, extended family issues, or problems that we generally face on a day to day basis. Kind of a utopian setting if you think about it. Nevertheless this is the very concept that makes the show a light hearted and classic comedy.

4. The mass connect: Throughout the years, the show has managed to combine both city life with the traditional value systems of India. The housing society is set in a Mumbai suburb, so there are plenty of city references that the audiences can relate to. Also the show depicts each festival being celebrated with much vigor like Navratri, Holi, Diwali, Janmashtami, Teej, Ganesh Chaturthi etc every year; making it relatable for every audience class possible.

5. The adorable Tapu Sena: Another factor that wins in the show is the cute Tapu Sena (Childrens’ Army). We have watched these child actors grow up since 2008, when they were just 8 to 10 year olds. Each child brings his or her own charisma and comic timing on the screen. Beautiful casting of each kid on the show!

6. The educational factor: TMKOC has strived to bring educational value to its viewers as well, by creating content to bring forth a message at the end. All this with the usual dose of comedy. Many important and serious issues for social welfare have been broadcast like child marriage, consumer education, credit card fraud, cyber crime and e-mail scams, bribing for college education etc.

7. The comedy: The comic timing of each actor on the show is incredible. If you watch this show, you know what I mean. The facial expressions, dialogue delivery, character roleplay everything is on point. Each actor has played into the comic roles so well, that is difficult to picture the show with someone missing.

8. The cross cultural vibe: The creative directors of TMKOC have carefully incorporated each ethnicity and caste of India in the starcast of the show. So there is a Gujarati, Punjabi, Parsi, Bengali, South Indian, North Indian, Muslim and Maharashtrian character/s. This brought a fresh cross cultural vibe to the show in 2008, and has continued to work all these years.

9. The background music: One of my favorite parts about the show is the sound mixing and background music for each character/ scene reference. Hilarious is an understatement, and I have often been in tears laughing just at the sound effect and facial expression of the actor on screen. Cue- Jethalal when he sees Babita ji exercising at her balcony (…. Baby baby baby…..) :D