Akkara Kazhchakal
| Akkara Kazhchakal | |
|---|---|
| Format | Sitcom |
| Created by | Abi Varghese Ajayan Venugopalan |
| Starring | Jose Valiyakallumkall Sajini Sachariah Jacob Gregory |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | New Jersey |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Kairali TV |
| Picture format | NTSC (480i) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original airing | February 15, 2008 |
Akkara Kazchakal (Malayalam: അക്കരക്കാഴ്ച്ചകൾ) is a Malayalam sitcom about a middle-class Malayali-American family. The series premiered on Kairali TV at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 16, 2008. The show gained huge popularity among the Malayali community residing in the United States. The producers regularly upload the latest episodes to YouTube each week.[1] The show ran for 50 episodes and is currently on hiatus, while the group does a traveling show.
The show gained huge popularity among the Malayali community residing in the United States mainly and in India. The Team has decided to go up with making a movie out of this and worked on the movie part. The pooja of the film was held on 3 September 2010 at Orangeburg, New York. Filming commenced on the same date. A teaser trailer appeared on the official Akkara Kazhchakal YouTube page on 22 September 2010.
Contents |
[edit] Characters
The show focuses on George Thekkinmootil (Josekutty Valiyakallumkal), a struggling insurance agent. His wife Rincy (Sajini Sachariah) is a nurse who prefers a more luxurious life. While George and Rincy grew up in Kerala, their children Matt (Litto Joseph) and Chakki (Priya Joseph) were raised in the United States and like the American life. The show also features Girigiri (Jacob Gregory), George's office assistant and Appachan (Paulose Palatty),George's father
Other episodes follow the lives of Mahi (Hari Dev) and Babykuttan (Sanjeev Nair), two fresh off the boat nurses who recently immigrated from India; and their housemates Krish (Jayan Mathew) and Baiju (Geo Thomas), who moved in with them after losing their jobs during the IT recession.
Other recurring characters include Pallilachan (Jose Paramus), a priest from the New Jersey church; Rincy's friend Shiny (Shine Roy); and Shiny's husband Jacob Embranthiri (Saji Sebastin).
[edit] Premise
George Thekkinmootil is a Malayali from Aymanam, who moved to the U.S. after marrying Rincy, a nurse working in New Jersey. He has a typical Kottayam accent. He liked his life in Kerala, but often tells his children how fortunate they are to enjoy such a great life in America. George is critical of his son Matt, who tries to embrace American culture. George tries various side business ventures—from selling slimming potions that end up causing diarrhea, to selling ebony statues. He finally settles down as an insurance agent after clearing the Insurance License Exam.
Girigiri is George's ever-stammering insurance assistant, who is like family and is always around. His actual name was "Gregory," but thanks to a slip of the tongue, he has been known as 'Girigiri' ever since. His constant need for small bites is often criticized by George. Rincy is very fond of Girigiri and once mentioned that he was like the younger brother she never had. Girigiri walks out after being irritated by Appachan, and Candy (Cynthia Gianetti) is recruited to take his place.
Mahi and Babykuttan landed in the U.S. through George's cousin, who is an agent in New Jersey. On their very first day, they almost ended up being arrested by a cop (Bris Kocak) after the fire alarm went off because they burned an omelet; the cops mistook their Puttu Kodam, used for making Puttu, for a marijuana Vaporizer.
There are few episodes in which Appachan prepares grape pickles around the grape season, and Girigiri helps him sell them in the local Indian grocery store.
[edit] Cast
| Character | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| George Thekkinmootil a.k.a. Kochu Kunju | Josekutty Valiyakallumkal | Struggling Insurance Agent |
| Rincy | Sajini Sachariah | George's wife, a nurse by profession |
| Gregory a.k.a Girigiri | Jacob Gregory | George's assistant insurance agent |
| Appachan | Paulose Palatty | George's father, temporarily visiting from India |
| Mahi | Hari Dev | A Malayalee nurse |
| Babykuttan | Sanjeev Nair | A Malayalee nurse |
| Matt a.k.a. Mathaikunju | Litto Joseph | George's son |
| Chakkimol | Priya Joseph | George's daughter |
| Baiju | Geo Thomas | A software engineer |
| Krishankutty a.k.a. Krish | Jayan Mathew | A software engineer |
| Shiny | Shine Roy | Rincy's friend |
| Jacob Embranthiri | Saji Sebastin | A wine-loving scientist and Shiny's husband. |
| Candy | Cynthia Gianetti | George's new recruit for selling insurance products. |
[edit] Episode list
- 1 Church Going - The George family prepares to go to Church.
- 2 Malayalam Culture - George installs a Malayalam Channel to teach his daughter Chakki and teenage son Matt the young adult in the family some "Malayalam Culture."
- 3 New Nurses
- 4 George's new business idea.
- 5 George is invited to a Christmas get-together at Chacko's house.
- 6 George's house is haunted by a Madama Ghost.
- 7 Rincy forces George to go on a new diet plan.
- 8 George studies to become an insurance agent.
- 9 George tries to grow Thekummootil Insurance Corp with new marketing techniques.
- 10 George agrees to do Feng Shui/Vasthu in his house.
- 11 Mahesh and Babykuttan try out the dating scene.
- 12 Gregory discovers his hidden talent.
- 13 George gets a new pet for the house.
- 14 George hires a handyman.
- 15 Rincy plans a trip to India.
- 16 Babykuttan joins Sameway (a multi-layer marketing company).
- 17 Babykuttan tries to be a Sameway Millionaire.
- 18 George has a "small party" while Rincy is away.
- 19 Rincy returns with Appachan.
- 20 Matt grows up.
- 21 George and Family gets invited to a party.
- 22 Gregory resigns.
- 23 Gregory's first day at Blimpie.
- 24 George's new assistant.
- 25 Babykuttan learns to drive.
- 26 Generation Gap
- 27 Mahi tries to change career.
- 28 George brings a superstar home.
- 29 The Candy Problem
- 30 Appachan and Giri Giri's new hobby.
- 31 Appachan's Krishi
- 32 Appachan's Achar
- 33 Omana Onam 2008
- 34 Job Search. Car Search. Wife Search.
- 35 Back to School
- 36 Halloween
- 37 Mahi's Dilemma
- 38 The Rat Problem
- 39 George goes to the Doctor
- 40 Black Friday
- 41 Rincy's brother visits
- 42 Informercial episode
- 43 Christmas Episode
- 44 Appachan Babysits
- 45 The Love Letter
- 46 Appachan's Birthday
- 47 DJ KJ Episode
- 48 Going back Home
- 49 Babykuttan's English Tutor
- 50 George buys a New Car
[edit] Film locations
- The house of George Thekkinmootil's family is actually located in Englewood (Abi Varghese's actual home).
- Mahi and Babykuttan stay in a house that is located in North Brunswick (Ajayan Venugopalan's actual home).
[edit] Critical reviews
Nita Sathyendran of The Hindu said: "It looks like George has not only delivered on his promise but has also managed to endear himself to his viewers." [2]. Jacob A. C. of Mathrubhumi said that "The victory of Akkara Kazhchakal lies in the fact that it was able to introduce the day to day life of an Malayali-American a lighter mood."[3]
[edit] Viewership
This sitcom has an estimated 80,000 weekly viewers.[citation needed]
[edit] Show timing
| Country | Showtime | Re-run |
|---|---|---|
| India | 10:00pm IST - 10:30pm IST (MON) | |
| USA | 15:00 EST - 15:30 EST (Sat) | 22:30 EST - 23:00 EST (Fri) |
[edit] DVD releases
A DVD of Akkara Kazhchakal was released during Onam 2008 celebrations of Kerala Association of New Jersey (KANJ) by the cast members.
[edit] Akkara Kazchakal - The Movie
-
- Main article: Akkara Kazhchakal: The Movie
The team has planned to release a movie calling it Akkara Kazhchakal - the movie which will be soon be released. This movie will be produced by Infamous Coconuts & BOM TV. The gist of the story is that Thekkinmootil Family decides to move Appachan and Ammachi to an old age home in Kerala. Meanwhile between the jobs and a new insurance office George & Rincy find it hard to spend time with the family. With Rincy, Kids and Appachan complaining about a much needed break George finally decides to take the family on a vacation to Niagara Falls.
[edit] References
- ^ "akkarakazhchakal's Channel". http://www.youtube.com/user/akkarakazhchakal. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- ^ The Hindu Online review
- ^ Mathrubhumi review
[edit] External links
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Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Akkara Kazhchakal |
