MUMBAI: Zee has decided to pull its Sunday-Wednesday 8 pm comedy show Hum Sab Baraati off air around mid-August due to faltering TRPs.

About three-and-a-half months ago, 4 April to be exact, we thought Zee had done everything right to tickle the funny bone when it launched Sanjay Chhel Telefilms Pvt Ltd's maiden television venture Hum Sab Baraati (starring Dinyar Contractor, Tiku Tulsania, et al). The show was described as a light and frothy sitcom with 'a touch of soap opera,' revolving around a family of wedding planners. Now it looks like show is coming to an premature end.

To mark the launch of HSB, Chhel had hired a music band, palmists, mehendiwali and flower sellers, among others. Speaking about the venture at that time, Chhel had said, "It's a feel-good comedy with integrally woven songs and dances." In addition to the dialogues, Chhel had also penned songs for the show.
When contacted, Zee programming head Ashwini Yardi confirmed the news."We always keep on introducing new formats and are replacing Hum Sab Barati,, which has already run the stipulated number of episodes, with a new serial." This is despite the fact that Zee had affirmed at the time of its launch that HSB had been commissioned for a year.

When contacted, Chhel, however, said, "This is news to me. Zee has not sent me any intimation in this regard. I am shooting the episodes as usual."

A leading actor from the serial (requesting anonymity) also confirmed, "Yes, I have heard this rumour. But I think that the channel should observe patience. Comedies take a long time to register and grow."

We also remember Chhel telling us, the road to its telecast has been easy. "I spoke to other channels as well about this show, but somehow thought that Zee TV was the least interfering of all." Well?