Same Old Address

t’s it about?We,hve lost count of the number of movies and television shows that have played on the premise of a boy and girl growing up together and not realising until it’s very late that they’re in love with each other. Chhajje Chhajje Ka Pyaar can safely be added on that list. In Sony Entertainment Television’s new show,the lovers are college students,Dhruv and Ginny,who start out being friends — exchanging notes about crushes and discussing family squabbles in each other’s rooms. In fact,the rather unusual title refers to their love slowly blossoming in the familiar environs of their chhajja (terrace),an old-Delhi architectural element.

Chhajje Chhajje Ka Pyaar is also the story of two families,the Sehgals and the Tripathis,living in the same house,who become one big family. Of course,while living so close,there are daily hiccups and petty squabbles. Boundaries are overstepped and some harsh words exchanged.

’s in it?mbhavi Sharma of MTV Roadies fame plays the smart and sassy Ginny,while Dhruv is played by a rather goofy-looking Manish Tulsiyani. Veteran Kiran Kumar plays Mr Sahgal,while Virendra Saxena plays the harried Mr Tripathi. Other actors include Mohini Sharma,Charul Rohatgi,Mazhar Sayed,Neha Janpandit and Aniruddh Singh.

t’s hot? show is so far only five episodes old,so it remains fresh. The lighter moments far outnumber heavy scenes,which is a relief. The comedy also manages to not go down the slapstick routine of the popular SAB TV shows such as Taarak Mehta. The acting is uneven. There isn’t a single standout cast member yet,but then,nobody’s awful either. One great thing is that,at least,the college scenes are shot on location at Delhi University’s Hindu College,which makes it seem authentic. Another point for authenticity comes from the non-blingy and believable costumes of the characters.

t’s not? irritating aspect is the background music and the sound effects. These are used to drive home the humour of certain comments and the drama of certain scenes but they’re quite distracting. The plot has unfolded as expected; there are already indications of a few wedding-related episodes coming up. This sort of predictability can be done away with if only producers wouldn’t narrow their focus to only the family’s problems. Of course,considering that the protagonists are still in college,there is still hope for drama of a different kind,where the two families actually interact with the wider world.

uld you be watching it?weren’t bored out of our minds with this one; give it a few more weeks and maybe the plot would become more compelling than it is right now.