Little Rascals

Badmash Company is a chat show with a difference — no gossip about who’s dating who and no catfights. The guests are not leggy Bollywood celebrities with perfect hair and make-up. They are,in fact,children aged between four and nine years. Actor Juhi Chawla plays the host and friend to the young ones as they talk about their school,friends,favourite teachers,hobbies and parents. There is also a section where child actor Shaurya Watwani throws general knowledge questions to the passersby on the street — the longest river,the number of oceans and continents on planet Earth,and so on. The show intermittently runs a ‘Candid Camera’ section where the children are left in a room with toys,chocolate pastries and building blocks,as Chawla and the parents watch the drama unfold. While sometimes,the skills of these young ones might leave you surprised,at other times,family secrets unfold — ‘Mummy,Papa bahut ladte hai’ (Mom and dad fight a lot),says one,embarrassing the mother seated in the audience.

Who’s in it?

Dressed in pastel kurtas,Chawla plays the mother figure. She keeps the children as well the audience engaged. And unlike other chat show hosts,she does not remain glued to the couch showing off six-inch heels. Instead,she moves around,involving herself in kiddie games and sometimes engaging them in debates: Are boys better than girls? Young Shaurya walks around with the mic and a straight face as he bombards adults with questions. Once their embarrassment at being unable to answer becomes evident,a grin lights up his face. The esteemed guests change every week and each child brings with him or her a different persona,innocence and mischief.

What’s hot?

The show is not scripted and that’s a relief. Children mouthing age-inappropriate jokes and grown-up conversation is too artificial. ‘Candid Camera’ is fun — their camaraderie and antics keep you hooked. Chawla should be lauded for putting these children at ease with her infectious laughter and motherly warmth.

What’s not?

Certain segments are disturbing. In the first episode,five-year-old Ronak boasted about his hobby — push-ups. A push-ups competition between the five-year-old and a 20-something man from the audience then followed. Such instances could make the concept go drastically wrong. Also,some kids come across as rude and misbehaved.

Should you be watching it?

Saturday night,macaroni-and-cheese dinner with the young ones,and Badmash Company on small screen — not a bad idea if the children’s off-and-on misbehaviour is ignored.