Comic chat show

Sony Television channel is screening every Friday, at 9 p.m., a comic chat show called Batli-walla House No. 43 where we are shown a Parsi family consisting of a naughty grandmother Me-herbanoo (played by Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal), her son, Jamshed (Sanjeev Vatsa, the only non-Parsi cast member), her daughter-in-law, Gulshan (Delnaz Paul) and her grandson, Sharukh (Bakhtyar Irani).

The opening scene shows a typical Parsi problem confronting the Batliwalla family. Then, a knock is heard when the entire family rushes to the door to welcome the first visitor (guest) of the show. After introductions, the guest is taken to a stage where Sharukh comperes the show with other members of the family firing questions to the guest. The guest joins in the banter.

The same antics follow for the second guest.

The cast (standing) of Batliwalla House No. 43

Many a time, granny cuts short Sharukh, nicknamed "Dhobho” (duffer on the show), whilst he retaliates by calling her a loving Lalitha Pawar (because she repeatedly picks on him). Sharukh calls his father Jamshed Bond (he points his fingers like a handgun, while asking for permission to speak). His mother, Gulshan, chuckles stating that "guests are surprised by his cheekiness but that’s how a fun-loving Parsi family is.”

Just before the conclusion of the chat show each guest is presented a pack of Batliwalla’s famous chikki.

Just as Alpha Gujarati of Zee TV channel screens Farohar Films’ episodes every Sunday morning highlighting exclusive Parsi matters in their series Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta, Sony TV is another channel, where a Parsi family is presented.

See a few episodes of Batliwalla House No. 43 to pass your time.

BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA