Go saath-saath with Rajshri

Pandemic as a backdrop, ‘Bada Naam Karenge’ brings back the Rajshri magic, this time on OTT. With Sooraj Barjatya at the helm of affairs, it’s a sweet love story that charts the coming together of two families. The nine-episode series centres on the love story of Rishabh and Surbhi, who come face to face in an arranged marriage setup. She is from Ujjain, he’s from Ratlam. Their mismatched financial status isn’t that much of a hindrance in their happily-ever-after life as the conventional family setting.

Rishab, the scion of the Rathi parivar, wants to take forward the family legacy, Ganga Mishthan Bhandar International. He finds a perfect match in Surbhi, but secrets from the past loom large. The young couple seem to have everything under control, trying to make the tightrope walk between their old-world parents and modern lifestyle.

‘Bada Naam Karenge’ has traces of Rajshri’s good old world of ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ and ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’. The Rathi family lives in a plush haveli. A dominating tayaji, strict tayiji, under-their-shadow parents, diffident bua, ‘kaleshi’ fufa, supportive bhaiya-bhabhi, a charming little bhatija and a trusted helper make this parivar. In contrast is the middle-class family where Prof Gupta has raised his daughter and sons with much love and trust. A funny ‘vichola’, a nosey neighbour and trusted friends fill this world.

The series is a commitment, really. The last episode is 82 minutes long, others extend to 45 minutes each, but it’s a pleasant watch throughout. You enjoy as the story flits between the present and the past. It’s refreshing to see a heroine quote Amrita Pritam and Kaka Hathrasi in day-to-day life.

Ayesha Kaduskar, who plays Surbhi, is a skilled actress and has an admirable outing. Though average looking, Ritik Ghanshani as Rishabh, in comparison, impresses and engages. It’s the support cast, with veteran actors, that lends a huge support to the lead pair. Kanwaljit Singh as the Rathi patriarch does a commendable job. Jameel Khan as a doting dad wins hearts. It’s lovely to see Deepika Amin (‘Farmaan’ fame) back on screen as a concerned mother. Rajesh Tailang plays the ‘kaleshi’ fufa and Anjana Sukhani as the wronged daughter adds drama to an otherwise simple plot.

Throughout the series, ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ songs make a frequent appearance. Values that Rajshri has propounded are a constant presence.

The series celebrates the changing role of women. If the parents’ generation had wives in supporting roles, the ‘bhabhis’ of the family have a voice, and career and interests outside the family too. Due credit to director Palash Vaswani (‘Gullak’ fame) for pulling together the essence of Rajshri in this rather long series. Cinematographer Shiv Prakash Rathour gives a glimpse of the beautiful Madhya Pradesh.

The production budget here is massive. Music by Anurag Saikia and original songs add to the series.

Who is this for? As Sooraj Barjatya says, “For Bharat.”

If you love Indian family dramas, here is one lovely story sending out the message that one can move forward in today’s world even while staying rooted!