Hindi writer Sharad Joshi`s stories inspire new TV serial

New Delhi: Eminent Hindi satirist Sharad Joshi`s stories have been adapted for a new TV serial `Lapataganj`, which revolves around an Indian village, long forgotten by the system.The serial has been produced by Ashwini Dheer of `Office Office` fame and is being directed by Joshi`s friend Manjul Sinha. It will air on SAB TV from October 26.

Sinha, who co-wrote the script of 80s hit sitcom `Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi` with Joshi, said, "I have worked with Joshiji but it is a challenge for me to project his ideas properly before the public." `Lapataganj` is the story of Mukundi Lal Gupta, who stays in the nondescript village Lapataganj with his wife Indumati and son Chukandi. Forever smiling seems to have become a habit for him. The other characters in this forgotten village include Mishri Bua, the agony aunt of Lapatagunj, who lives with her pretty but dumb daughter Surili. The village also has characters like Biji Pandey and Kachua chacha. The show takes potshots at the various deficiencies in the system in Sharad Joshi`s typical amusing yet endearing manner. "This is one show which all Indians would relate to. It`s based on the satirical writing of Sharad Joshi. We believe the show will be hugely popular with the masses in the same way as they appreciated his articles & stories. It`s a tribute to his excellent work," Anooj Kapoor, Business Head, SAB, said about `Lapatagunj`. Joshi was awarded with the Padma Shree for his contribution to Hindi literature in 1990. He wrote the scripts for famous TV serials like `Shyam Tere Kitne Nam`, `Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi`, `Vikram Aur Vetal`, `Dane Anar Ke` and `Sinhasan Battisie`. Joshi was also involved with films like `Chhoti Si Baat`, `Godhuli`, `Utsav`, `Chameli Ki Shaadi` and `Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin` as a dialogue writer. Bureau Report