Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer

I've never wanted to like a show more... alas. Sridevi in, yet another title role, Malini Iyer - such wasted opportunity. Shoddy writing, direction, production... As a super fan, was so disappointed. But that was a strange year for Sridevi and family... There are a few bright spots - Sridevi looked like a dream, there are a few moments of genuine laughter... The rest.. well..

Sridevi on the sets of Malini Iyer: Sridevi's kids join her on set: TBT to Dec 2003

 

Sridevi's look from Malini Iyer - shot by the fab Avinash Gowariker. This is circa Dec 2003 or in 2004 when the sitcom aired on Sahara TV. A mediocre comedy that did little justice to the infinite gifts of "the queen of comedy." 

The only plus was that it forced Sridevi to come out of self-imposed break after her last release in 1997. She looked gorgeous and it was a reminder to all what a superstar was. 

This newsbyte from Avinash is worth a read; ‘Sridevi was a superstar for a reason’: Celebrity photographer Avinash Gowariker recalls!

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Sridevi's only sitcom

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Sridevi's only sitcom. 

The Kapoors were going through some financial situation that we'd all like to forget about, and Sridevi, 41, returned to the screen with this one-off season in a memorable show on the now-defunct Sahara channel. 

It started off well, with superb ratings for the first ever telecast, then poor writing, shoddy editing and failure-to-launch gags tanked the rushed comedy. It has its moments and Sridevi sure as heck looked great, but couldn't stop this ship from sinking. Oh well... 

The fleeting memories of this are fun. You can find clips on YouTube. 

Malini Iyer is on YouTube: Sridevi's ONLY sitcom from 2004

Wow, 20 years ago, Sridevi appeared in her one and only sitcom on TV. On the ill-fated Sahara. The first few episodes were a ratings bonanza... and then fell down the tube. 

A gorgeous Sridevi, 41, looked positively radiant on the show, but couldn't rescue it. To top it all, she also let it slip in an interview that she didn't enjoy the process of fast-paced tv production and leaving her kids at home. After the show was mercifully cancelled and not picked up for Season 2, Sridevi went back to domestic bliss for another decade, returning with a bang with English Vinglish. 
 

Sridevi lights up 'Malini Iyer': First Review of Sridevi's only sitcom from 2004

Sahara's latest offering, produced by Boney Kapoor, Malini Iyer ushers in a different genre of programming. A comedy with an emotional undercurrent complete with the Sahara brand of opulence.

Launching on 19 January, 2004 at 9 pm, the bi-weekly marks the television debut of Superstar Sridevi, who is back in the limelight after a six-year hiatus. 

First things first, the writer seems to have done his job well. Not only does the show have its humour quotient intact, it also manages to get the correct emotion mix and the right momentum to keep the viewer glued till the last scene.

In an era, where most makers focus on gimmicks rather than a good story, Malini Iyer seems to stand out as an exception. Here's a serial that's refreshingly different from the rest of the fare on the small screen. The focus is clearly on content, and not on performing endless poojas, rituals, and extreme get ups, atrocious facial expressions, never-ending plotting or constant bitching sessions.

Don't go by the inaugural episode though. Latter episodes do not follow the mediocre launch's footsteps. The story is about a Punjabi family - Sabarwal - with Vijay Kashyap and Sushma Ahuja playing the patriarch and matriarch respectively. The family fortunes are built up on Daddyji's (Kashyap) automobile business. Sadly, his sons aren't keen on lending their father a helping hand. The elder one (Vinay Pathak) is addicted to gambling, the second son (Mahesh Thakur) aspires to graduate from being the twelfth man in the cricket team to being selected in the final eleven, and the youngest one (Kamlesh) dreams of being a film star.

Speaking about the histrionics of the leading characters, the jokes cracked by Daddyji have a knack of getting on the nerves, while the three sons appear quite lost. But just when you are contemplating on writing off this show as a loud and nonsensical comedy, enters Sridevi AKA Malini Iyer nee Sabarwal... and she lights up the screen completely and all the creases are flattened out. As if on cue, other actors start upping their respective performances. Such is the magical presence of the actress, who has thankfully not lost her zing for comedy.

Sridevi's mannerisms and dialogue-delivery are as superb and spontaneous as ever. It needs some scratching of the memory cells to recall that it has been about a decade since she reigned over Bollywood. Her return to the arc lights have certainly been seamless. She knows exactly what the shot requires. She doesn't underplay and neither does she go over the top.

"Once the camera rolls, Sridevi just lets herself go. Off the camera she is reserved, but once the shoot begins there is a complete transformation," remarked Tanushree who plays Vinay Pathak's wife and Malini Iyer's sister-in-law.

Going back to the script. Mahesh Thakur has married a South Indian girl, Sridevi, without his parents' knowledge, but they welcome her with open arms. Her entry scene is obviously dramatised complete with the 'paaye lagus', 'diyas' and 'aartis', but that's about it. The show is about how the family keeps getting into difficult situations and this bahu bails them out every time, and while doing the good deed also imparts some moral thoughts for them to ponder upon.

In one such situation is a gang-lord played by Manoj Joshi (Mayor Saab of Kehta Hai Dil fame) bullying the Sabarwal family to give their house over to his possession. The act where Malini Iyer tames the gang-lord is a scene worth recommending. 

While the premise may be about a lady and her family, the show is episodic in nature. A particular story completes in two or three episodes.

The idea is not just to make you laugh or cry, but to make you think. Take the gang-lord episode for instance, the teaching clearly indicates that even today in the times of violence and bloodshed, love can win over anybody. 

Sridevi has done full justice to her role. It is a beautiful role of a woman who loves the family she is married into, yet will not give up her identity. Plus, she fights all the obstacles in life in a no-nonsense manner. Thus, making Malini Iyer a good mix of Tulsi and Rajni.

On occasions, she may start rambling in Tamil especially when she is overjoyed or livid, but before these become too long, she packs a punch in English. Remember the promos - B.A. in Tamil, jisme English bhi shaamil...?

Will Sridevi succeed, where Karisma Kapoor failed? While there is definitely no parallel between the acting skills of Sridevi and Karishma, the show clearly is better one in terms of content and performances.

Although it is his maiden television venture, Boney Kapoor seems to have created an engrossing fare. The only hitch could be the popularity (or rather lack of it) of the channel. But 'Malini Iyer' could easily be the first solid helping hand that Sahara is desperately seeking.

Produced by Boney Kapoor (Sridevi's husband), the serial is co-directed by Satish Kaushik, Sanjay Chhel, Sushma Ahuja, Nikhil Syani and Manjul Sinha.

By VICKEY LALWANI

Posted on 17 January 2004

Sridevi in her only sitcom Malini Iyer (2004)

Sridevi in her only sitcom Malini Iyer (2004) 

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Sridevi's first and only sitcom for Sahara TV

 

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Sridevi's first and only sitcom for Sahara TV

Such infinite comedic gifts but shoddy writing, directing... the fake laugh track. Uff... I've never wanted to love a show more but was disappointed by the final outcome. Saw the entire show (and still have it on VCR!) just to see Sridevi again. And again. 

A misstep. But, the Kapoors were financially well-compensated! Sridevi herself spoke about the troubles she had with the grueling shooting schedule and the time it took her away from her children. 

Sridevi absolutely glowed in the show. But... it really wasn't a good show. 

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004)

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004)

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Indian actress' only sitcom

 

Sridevi, 41, in and as Malini Iyer (2004), in the only TV sitcom she ever did. 

She looked sooooooo beauitful in the show. 

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004)

Sridevi, 41, in and as Malini Iyer (2004) - the only sitcom and television show she did. 

Talk about wasted opportunity. As divine as she looked and well-acted, the poorly executed "comedy" couldn't sustain viewership after huge initial ratings. Sadly, the show came at a time with sitcoms and Indian TV was not good, let alone great. 

If she had entered in the era of Netflix and polished OTT platform work, would have been another story...

Sridevi mentioned in an interview that she didn't enjoy the experience and there were certain financial reasons she signed up for the Sahara TV show. After the show was not picked up for Season 2, Sri heaved a sigh of relief. 

She returned to movies much later in 2012 - back where she belonged, ruling the big screen. 

 

TBT: Devi, Sridevi: Malini Iyer makes an entrance: Sridevi's Sitcom

 

Soundtrack from her classic Tamil film, but the visuals from Malini Iyer, the only scripted television show Sridevi starred in back in 2004, the absolutely gorgeous Sridevi making an entrance in a shimmering pink salwaar. 

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Bollywood icon's only sitcom

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004)

Queen of comedy - mistress of disguise, the one and only Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004). 

The tragedy of this comedy was the writers and directors did not tap into Sri's infinite potential and made such a lackluster show. Shame.

It started off with a bang, and left the screens with a whimper. 

The Bride in White: Malini Iyer

Sridevi from a scene in her only TV show; Malini Iyer - which ran for one season back in 2004. 

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004)

Sridevi's title role in Malini Iyer, the only TV show she led as a leading lady back in 2004. It opened with mega ratings but the weak script and direction led to the show tumbling down and not being renewed for a second season.

It was a joy to see Sridevi every week... despite the weak script. She really did light up the screen unlike any other star on TV. 

 

TBT: Sridevi with Mahesh Thakur in Malini Iyer: Sridevi's sitcom co-star pays tribute

official_mahesh_thakur

With sadness in my heart I bid adieu to one of the most graceful ,charming & beautiful co-star of mine. 🙏🌹 working with you in “Malini Iyer” was an honor and those days will always be etched in my memory for ever. R.I.P
My deepest condolences to the Kapoor Family
#sridevi #ishqbaaz #ishqbaaaz #sahara #sridevikapoor #sridevifans #starplus

Sridevi's only TV show is online: Malini Iyer

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer 

Sridevi was so cute on this... otherwise meh show. For fans of Sridevi, wanting to see any morsel of the legendary actress, can see her from her short-lived (Season One - only) comedy that aired on Sahara TV back in 2004.

As Sridevi confessed in an interview a decade later, she did not enjoy working the hectic TV schedule, When asked if she had fun making the television comedy, she said, "To be honest — no. TV is not my cup of tea. Maybe I didn’t enjoy it was because my children were very small at that time. Khushi was just two years old and Janhvi was four. I had to go to Film City at 7am everyday to shoot for the whole day. By the time I reached home, I was exhausted. It wasn’t a pleasurable experience."

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Bollywood superstar's only sitcom

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004). 

Shame the show fizzled out within a season. Sridevi was brilliant. The writing, direction was... Well, hits and misses. 

Sridevi looked too beautiful. 

Iyer and Higher: Sridevi's first interview for her TV series:

g magazine's first interview on the return of Sridevi - now on TV! 

SRIDEVI: Iyer and Higher! 

March 2004, Sridevi's pre-show - her television series debut Malini Iyer - interviews with all the magazines. 

This from 'g' magazine.

Sridevi says, "Love me, don't leave me!" in her pull quote! 

After a long hiatus Sridevi, the queen of acting histrionics, especially comedy, is back! The actress had won millions of hearts with her mesmerizing smile and gifted performances in a long Bollywood career. But with marriage came a full-stop to her professional life, while the personal one took over. After a srting of housewifery and a couple of kids down the line, the restless actress in her had to re-emerge. And thus one is not surprised to see big screen Sri on the small tube.. in Sahara Manoranjan's latest comic offering, Malini Iyer.

"It feels good to come back. I'm not nervous but I think it's fun to work again, especially with such  a concept and in such a set-up. It is a wonderful experience. The idea to do more and the thrill of doing something different excited me. The innovation, characterization and feel of the show excited me. I accepted this comedy because I think it's easy to make people cry, but difficult to make them laugh and get them into an emotional loop. The storyline o a south Indian girl called Malini who is married into a Punjabi household was stimulating and the thought of making a laugh-a-minute riot for the masses made me go for it. Also the fact that it was a serial, my daughters could watch with me." 

For more - click on the images to read. 

Malini Iyer: First stills of Sridevi on her sitcom released! Gorgeous return of a cine legend to TV

Cast of Malini Iyer with the one and only Sridevi! 

As a southern belle married into a north Indian family, the potential for comedy gold is infinite. 

Plus, rare pics of Sridevi on the set of Malini Iyer discussing jewellery and fashion with a new designer. 

Sridevi's first (and last) sitcom premiered on January 19, 2004, and aired every Monday and Tuesday at 9pm.

Sridevi in and as Malini Iyer (2004): Sridevi's first and only sitcom for Sahara TV

As a hardcore Sridevi fan, I have every episode of the ill-fated TV Show on Sahara, Malini Iyer.

It pains to type this but... truth be told, if there was ever a show with wasted resources, it was Malini Iyer. It started with a bang but with shoddy writing and sloppy direction, the contrived sitcom fizzled out. Shame. 

Sridevi had some truly spectacular scenes in the show and she looked amazing and acted well... which is sort of a given now. Is is there any doubt to her legend? Esp her vast comedic skills?

Even the supporting cast wasn't too bad but it needed a tighter edit and a bit more imagination, better writing, direction... oh... Too many loopholes in production. 

I've never wanted to like a show more... the return of Sridevi... her first show on television... ever... It was a momentous occasion for millions of her fans. But... but... but... It just didn't work. The TRP ratings were spectacular.. in the beginning. But the fall from grace period was swift and sudden. No signs of the sitcom returning for season two. 

Mahesh Thakur (Sri's co-star in MI), "I have been a fan of Sridevi and playing her husband was a big feather in my cap. Initially I thought she would have Bollywood star tantrums and attitude but she is nothing of that sort. She is extremely mischievous and the soul of our serial." 

-- The Times of India, Jan, 2004