After setting TV audiences in splits, Khichdi hits the big screen this week. Actors Supriya Pathak Kapoor and Rajiv Mehta are now hopeful that their recipe for laughs will work on the big screen

After setting TV audiences in splits, Khichdi hits the big screen this week. Actors Supriya Pathak Kapoor and Rajiv Mehta are now hopeful that their recipe for laughs will work on the big screen

The Parekhs endeared themselves to Indian television audiences almost a decade ago. The joint family with its battalion of quirky characters went on to turn the comedy around into a top grosser on Indian television. The two famous characters, Hansa played by Supriya Pathak Kapoor and Praful played by Rajiv Mehta engage in lively banter, as Sunday MiD DAY listens in.

u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 pic/sandeep shetty

Have you ever got into a real-life khichdi (mess)?

Supriya: Yes; but I managed to extricate myself. I was racing to drop my son to school and I bumped into another car. The lady driver was enraged. But before she could accost me, people gathered around my car and when her daughter spotted me, she yelled, 'Mummy, don't say anything to her. She is Hansa.' The mother and daughter congratulated me on my work and left.
Rajiv: A policeman once let me off for getting into a wrong lane saying, 'Praful bhai main aap ko kaise rok sakta hoon?'

Your onscreen characters, Hansa and Praful, are both quite dumb.
Supriya: I am sorry, I don't agree. Hansa and Praful are not dumb; they are innocent.
Rajiv: They are without masks.

Do you think a dumb person can be intelligent in some matters?
Rajiv and Supriya (chorus): Oh yes, they can be.
Supriya: There's common sense to the rescue.
Rajiv:u00a0 Common sense which is uncommon (laughs).

The dumbest thing you have done.
Supriya: There are so many.
Rajiv:u00a0While leaving home, I took the lock and key with me. And forgot to lock the door!

How do your real-life spouses react to your character in the film?
Supriya: Pankaj (Kapoor) likes 'Khichdi' very much. Also he likes Hansa very much; he enjoyed the film as much as the serial.
Rajiv: I have no spouse who can react.

What would Praful and Hansa say to people who are contemplating to be ufffd sorry to see or not to see?
Rajiv: I'd say, see it as soon as possible.
Supriya: Come at your own risk.
Bollywood News Service

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels