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Sarabhai vs Sarabhai

Sarabhai vs Sarabhai is an Indian Hindi-language television sitcom set in South Mumbai and centred on an affluent Gujarati family and their middle-class daughter-in-law.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sarabhai vs Sarabhai is an Indian Hindi-language television sitcom set in South Mumbai and centred on an affluent Gujarati family and their middle-class daughter-in-law. It originally aired on STAR One from 2004 to 2006 and returned for a second season in 2017 on Disney+ Hotstar. The series has been distributed internationally, including in Canada with English and French variant titles.

Premise

The sitcom is set around two apartments in Cuffe Parade, South Mumbai, and portrays the daily life and clashes of an affluent Gujarati family. Much of the humour comes from the contrast between upper-class and middle-class values, particularly through the relationship between Maya Sarabhai and her daughter-in-law Monisha.

Broadcast history

Sarabhai vs Sarabhai first aired on STAR One from 1 November 2004 to 16 April 2006. A revival season aired in 2017 on Disney+ Hotstar. The series has been distributed internationally, including in Canada under English and French variant titles as listed on IMDb.

Cast and characters

The main cast includes Satish Shah as Indravadan Sarabhai, Ratna Pathak Shah as Maya Sarabhai, Sumeet Raghavan as Sahil, Rupali Ganguly as Monisha, and Rajesh Kumar as Rosesh. The ensemble cast is known for its comedic timing and chemistry.

Reception

The series became known for its sharp writing, memorable lines, and enduring popularity in reruns and internet memes. Later coverage has described it as a cult favourite in Indian television comedy, noted for its satire on class differences.

Key facts

  • The series follows the Sarabhai family, an upper-class Gujarati household living in Cuffe Parade, South Mumbai.
  • Its central comic conflict is the relationship between Maya Sarabhai and her daughter-in-law Monisha, who comes from a middle-class background.
  • The show aired first on STAR One and later returned for a second season on Disney+ Hotstar in 2017.
  • Principal cast members include Satish Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly, and Rajesh Kumar.
  • The series is widely described as a cult classic and is noted for its dialogue and satire on class differences.
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Canadian context

IMDb lists Canadian release titles for the series, and it has been distributed internationally under English and French variant titles.[8]

Frequently asked questions

What is Sarabhai vs Sarabhai about?
It is a sitcom about the Sarabhai family, an upper-class Gujarati household in Mumbai, and the humorous tensions created by class differences, especially between Maya and Monisha.
When did it first air?
It first aired on 1 November 2004 on STAR One.
How many seasons and episodes does it have?
It has two seasons and 80 episodes in total.
Who created or wrote the series?
The series is credited to Aatish Kapadia, who wrote it and is also associated with its production.
Who are the main cast members?
The main cast includes Satish Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly, and Rajesh Kumar.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarabhai_vs_Sarabhai
    Supports: Original run, language, genre, creators, cast, season and episode counts, and premise.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1518542/
    Supports: Series premise, country of origin, and general cast/reception overview.
  3. Wikipedia (Indonesian)https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarabhai_vs_Sarabhai
    Supports: Premise, production credits, broadcast dates, cast, and cultural status.
  4. TheTVDBhttps://thetvdb.com/series/sarabhai-vs-sarabhai
    Supports: Original network, first aired date, status, runtime, language, and genre.
  5. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1518542/releaseinfo/
    Supports: Canadian alternate titles and international release naming.
  6. TMDbhttps://www.themoviedb.org/tv/4165-sarabhai-vs-sarabhai
    Supports: 2017 season premiere date and series status.
  7. The Wirehttps://livewire.thewire.in/livewire/the-enduring-appeal-of-sarabhai-vs-sarabhai/
    Supports: Cultural reception, reruns, and class-divide satire.