Akkara Kazhchakal
Akkarakkaazhchakal (Malayalam: അക്കരക്കാഴ്ച്ചകൾ) is a Malayalam sitcom that aired on Kairali TV from 2008 to 2010. The series consisted of fifty episodes which chronicled the lives of a middle-class Malayali family settled in the United States. The show was created by Abi Varghese and Ajayan Venugopalan and starred relative newcomers as the leads.
| Akkarakkaazhchakal | |
|---|---|
 Akkara Kkaazhchakal(malyalam serial) logo | |
| Created by | Abi Varghese Ajayan Venugopalan |
| Starring | Jose Valiyakallumkall Sajini Sachariah Jacob Gregory Litto Joseph Priya Joseph |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 50 |
| Production | |
| Production location(s) | New Jersey |
| Running time | 18 minutes (approx.) |
| Release | |
| Original network | Kairali TV |
| Picture format | NTSC (480i) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 15 February 2008 – 2010 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Akkarakazhchakal: The Movie |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The show is regarded as the first true Malayalam sitcom with real-life situations and witty dialogues minus any drama or artificiality seen in other Indian serials. The series was a refreshing break for the Malayalee audience who were fed on a staple diet of treacle-filled and unrealistic TV serials. It broke broadcasting conventions when it was uploaded into YouTube[1] in its entirety by the show's creators. Akkarakazhchakal has enjoyed widespread popularity during its initial run as well as the subsequent years. The series has been especially commended for its realistic portrayal of real-life Malayali life, social commentary and satirical humour. Josekutty Valiyakallumkal has been widely praised for his portrayal of George Thekkinmoottil, the patriarch of the family.
The show's popularity lead to a film titled Akkarakazhchakal: The Movie.
Characters
The show focuses on George Thekumoottil (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 (Febin Joseph) and Chakki mol (Felisha Joseph) were born and raised in the United States and they like the American way of living. The show also features Jacob Gregory as George's insurance assistant, Giri Giri and Paulose Palatty as George's father.
Other episodes follow the lives of Mahi (Hari Dev) and Babykuttan (Sanjeev Nair), two 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).
Premise
George Thekkinmootil is a Malayali from Aymanam. He moved to the U.S., after marrying Rincy who is a nurse working in New Jersey. Having grown up in Kerala, he is often nostalgic and emotional about his homeland. Rincy, by contrast has accustomed to the American life, and is not bothered much by it. A running gag throughout the show is the cultural divide between George and his children. Though he is critical of their embracement of the American culture, he is a loving father and often tells them how fortunate they are to enjoy such a great life in America. At the onset of the series, George is stuck in a job that he dislikes and tries launching various businesses, all of which backfire. He finally settles down as an insurance agent after clearing the Insurance License Exam, and starts his own Insurance firm.
Girigiri is George's ever-stammering insurance assistant. Even though his actual name is Gregory, George calls him "Girigiri" because of his stammering. His constant need for snacks is often criticized by George. Rincy is very fond of Girigiri and considers him like the younger brother she never had. Girigiri walks out after being irritated by Appachan, and Candy is recruited to take his place.
Another plot line that runs parallel to George's is Mahi and Babykuttan. They lands in the U.S. through George's cousin, who is a placement 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 police officer mistook their Puttu Kodam, used for making Puttu, for a marijuana vaporizer.
There are a few episodes in which Appachan prepares grape pickles around the grape season, and Girigiri helps him sell them in the local Indian grocery store under the brand name Appachan's Achar.
Cast
| Character | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| George Thekkinmootil (Chettai/Kochu Kunju) | Josekutty Valiyakallumkal | Main protagonist of the series |
| Rincy | Sajini Sachariah | George's wife, a nurse by profession |
| Matt (Mathaikunju) | Febin Joseph | George's son |
| Chakkimol | Felisha Joseph | George's daughter |
| Gregory (Girigiri) | Jacob Gregory | George's assistant |
| Appachan | Paulose Palatty | George's father |
| Mahi | Hari Dev | Nurse |
| Babykuttan | Sanjeev Nair | Nurse |
| Baiju | Geo Thomas | Software engineer |
| Krishankutty (Krish) | Jayan Joseph | Software engineer |
| Sunny Singh | Amarpreet Nanda | Roommate of Mahi and Babykuttan |
| Shiny | Shine Roy | Rincy's friend |
| Jacob Embranthiri | Saji Sebastian | A wine-loving scientist and Shiny's husband. |
| Achan | Jose Paramus | Vicar |
| Prasava Gopi | Devassy Palatti | Insurance agent. George's main competitor in the field |
| Candy | Cynthia Gianetti | George's assistant |
| Manager | Gracey James | George's manager |
| Ikkili Chacko | Sunny Kalloppara | Despatch at George's workplace |
| Jose | Kurian Valiyakallumkal | Georgekutty's friend |
| Rengit | Rengit Peter Madaparambath | Video cassette loaner |
| Nursing Superant | Richard Lampone | |
| Policeman | Baris Kocak | Policeman questions Mahi&Babykuttan |
| Lady who takes Insurance | Olya Makiyenko | |
| Paul | Greg Vorob | Josekutty's neighbour |
| Molly | Malini Krishna | |
| Chackochan | Peter Neendoor | |
| Guest at Josekutty's house | Ajayan Venugopalan | |
| Soman | Soman | Malayali shop owner |
| Philip | Mohemmad Waheb | |
| Gopi's Assistant | Sunita Sebastian | |
| Ramakrishna Iyyer | Saswata Bandyopadhyay | |
| Bhamadathan Namboothiri | Narayanan Kuttappan | |
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 Benz
Film locations
- The house of George Thekkinmootil's family is located in Englewood which is Abi Varghese's real home
- Mahi and Babykuttan stay in a house that is located in North Brunswick which is Ajayan Venugopalan's real home.
Akkara Kazchakal - The Movie
Following the success of Akkara Kazhchakal, the team planned to release a movie calling it Akkara Kazhchakal - the movie. The movie was released in the United States on 29 April 2011, and produced by Infamous Coconuts & BOM TV.
In the film, 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 and Rincy finds 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.
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]
Viewership
This sitcom had an estimated 80,000 weekly viewers.
Show timing
| Country | Showtime | Re-run |
|---|---|---|
| India | 10:00pm IST - 10:30pm IST (MON) | |
| United States | 15:00 EST - 15:30 EST (Sat) | 22:30 EST - 23:00 EST (Fri) |
DVD releases
A DVD of Akkara Kazhchakal was released during Onam 2008 celebrations of Kerala Association of New Jersey (KANJ) by the cast members.