Akkara Kazhchakal


Akkarakkaazhchakal 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.
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 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.

Characters

The show focuses on George Thekumoottil, a struggling insurance agent. His wife Rincy is a nurse who prefers a more luxurious life. While George and Rincy grew up in Kerala, their children Matt and Chakki mol 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 and Babykuttan, two nurses who recently immigrated from India and their housemates Krish and Baiju, who moved in with them after losing their jobs during the IT recession.
Other recurring characters include Pallilachan, a priest from the New Jersey church, Rincy's friend Shiny and Shiny's husband Jacob Embranthiri.

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 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

Episode list

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.". 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."

Viewership

This sitcom had an estimated 80,000 weekly viewers.

Show timing

DVD releases

A DVD of Akkara Kazhchakal was released during Onam 2008 celebrations of Kerala Association of New Jersey by the cast members.