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 in her only sitcom Malini Iyer (2004)

Sridevi in her only sitcom Malini Iyer (2004) 

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): 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. 

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