'Hum Paanch' is returning, but Ashok Saraf had no clue
What's the story
After the return of classic shows like Ramayan and Shaktimaan, another much-loved family show from the good ol' 90s Hum Paanch is coming back on the small screen.
Zee TV announced the show's re-telecast on Thursday.
However, the sitcom's lead actor Ashok Saraf admittedly had no clue about its rerun.
The actor said he is happy about the re-telecast and heaped praises upon the series' team.
Details
It is great that 'Hum Paanch' is back again: Saraf
In a recent interaction with Pune Mirror, Saraf said, "I did not even know about it (the show's re-telecast). I am learning it from you, adding that, "It is great that the serial is back again."
"People loved the show at that time," Saraf further said.
Ekta Kapoor's Hum Paanch aired between 1995 and 1999 on Zee TV.
Quote
Saraf said the show's writing made it popular
Talking about why the show is relevant even after two decades, Saraf said, "The script of Hum Paanch (written by Imtiaz Patel) was extremely powerful."
"He (Patel) has written the characters so well, people got hooked with each of them," the actor added.
For the unversed, Hum Paanch revolved around the story of a middle-class man Anand Mathur (Saraf), his wife, and five daughters.
Cast
We were one happy family, Saraf said about the team
In the show, Saraf shared screen space with Shobha Anand, Vandana Pathak, Rakhi Vijan, Bhairavi Raichura, Amita Nangia, and Priyanka Mehra.
In fact, Vidya Balan also featured on the show for some time.
Recalling the good times, Saraf said, "We were one happy family." He said they rarely kept track of time while shooting.
No wonder fans loved their fruit of labor so much!
Second season
Saraf admitted the second season was a 'failure'
Hum Paanch also shortly returned for a second season from 2005 to 2006.
However, it failed to impress the audience.
Terming the gig a "failure", Saraf said, "It is impossible to make Hum Paanch again."
"You need the same writers and directors to execute the show... It's not that easy to do comedy. Not everyone can do it," he added.
Other shows
Classic shows ruling the TV scene in India
Hum Paanch's re-telecast comes at a time when classic shows are ruling the television scene across India.
To help people stay at home and beat the lockdown blues, national broadcaster Doordarshan started re-runs of cult shows like Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan, Chanakya, Dekh Bhai Dekh, and Circus.
These shows are garnering massive viewership.
In fact, they've taken DD National to the top of TRP charts.