Akkara Kazhchakal
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| Akkara Kazhchakal | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Abi Varghese Ajayan Venugopalan |
| Starring | Jose Valiyakallumkall Sajini Sachariah Jacob Gregory |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Production | |
| Production location | New Jersey |
| Original release | |
| Network | Kairali TV |
| Release | February 15, 2008 |
Akkara Kazchakal is a Malayalam sitcom about a middle-class Malayali-American family. The series premiered on Kairali TV at 3:00PM EST on February 16, 2008. The show gained huge popularity among the Malayali community residing in the US. The producers regularly uploaded the newest episodes each week on YouTube. The show ran for 50 episodes and is currently on hiatus, while the group does a traveling show.
Premise
The show focuses on George Thekkinmootil (Josekutty Valiyakallumkal), who is a struggling insurance agent trying to make ends meet. His wife Rincy (Sajini Sachariah) is a nurse who likes a little more luxurious life. While George and Rincy grew up in Kerala, their children Matt (Febin Joseph) and Chakki (Felisha Joseph) have been raised in United States and like life the American way. The shows also feature 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 FOB 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.
Pallilachan (Jose Paramus), the priest from the New Jersey church, Rincy's friend Shiny (Shine Roy) and her husband Jacob Embranthiri (Saji Sebastin) are also recurring characters.
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." [1]. 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."[2]
Plot
George Thekkinmootil is a Malayali from Aymanam, who has moved over to US after marrying Rincy, a nurse in New Jersey. He has a typical Kottayam accent. He liked his life back home in Kerala but often tells his children of 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 which 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, 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 mentions that he is like a younger brother who she never had. Girigiri walks out after being irritated by Appachan and Candy (Cynthia Gianetti) was recruited to take his place.
Mahi and Babykuttan have recently landed in the US through George's cousin who is an agent in New Jersey. On their very first day, they almost end up being picked up by a cop(Bris Kocak) after the fire alarm goes off when their omelet burns and when the cops mistake their Puttu Kodam, used for making Puttu, for a Pot Vaporizer.
There are couple of episodes in which Appachan prepares grape pickles around the grape season and Girigiri helps him sell it in the local Indian grocery store.
Film locations
- The house of George Thekkinmootil Family is actually located in Englewood (Abi Varghese's actual home).
- Mahi and Babykuttan stays in the house that is located in North Brunswick (Ajayan Venugopalan's actual home).
Viewership
This sitcom has an estimated 80,000 weekly viewers.
DVD releases
A DVD of Akkara Kazhchakal was released during Onam 2008 celebrations of Kerala Association of New Jersey (KANJ) by the cast members.
Episode List
1 Church Going - The George Family prepares to go to Church. 2 Malayalam Culture - George orders Malayalam Channel to teach kids 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 & Babykuttan tries 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 Blimpies. 24 George's new Assistant 25 Babykuttan learns to drive 26 Generation Gap 27 Mahi tries to change career 28 George brings a super star 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
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) |
Cast
| Character | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| George Thekkinmootil a.k.a. Georgeattan | Josekutty Valiyakallumkal | Struggling Insurance Agent |
| Rincy | Sajini Sachariah | George's wife and 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. |
References
External links
