When Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai star Satish Shah shared how female fans reacted to his most iconic TV role: 'Women told me they would hate....'

Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai is celebrated today as one of Indian television’s most beloved and timeless comedies. Yet, its journey to fame was anything but smooth. In a past conversation, the late veteran actor Satish Shah, who brilliantly portrayed the witty and sarcastic Indravadan Sarabhai, recalled that the series didn’t achieve instant popularity when it first aired.

During an old interview, Shah openly admitted that Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai marked what he considered the first professional setback in his long television career. The actor explained that the show was initially launched as a weekly program but failed to receive the promotion it deserved. Due to minimal publicity, audiences remained largely unaware of its sharp humor and unique storytelling. By the time viewers began to appreciate its brilliance, the show was abruptly pulled off air because of disappointing TRP ratings. This unexpected outcome deeply affected Shah, who had rarely experienced failure on television before.

However, fate had other plans. When the series was later reintroduced as a daily show, its quirky characters, intelligent dialogues, and relatable family humor finally struck a chord with audiences. Viewers across the country became hooked, transforming the once-overlooked sitcom into an enduring classic. Shah often reflected on the irony of its journey — a show that initially flopped went on to become one of the most loved sitcoms in Indian TV history. Interestingly, he had even accepted a reduced payment for his role, a testament to his faith in the project.

As Indravadan Sarabhai, Shah embodied the playful yet endearing patriarch who constantly teased his wife and family members. He often shared anecdotes about fans who connected deeply with his character—young women who wished for a father-in-law like him, men who wanted a father like Indravadan, and wives who insisted they could never tolerate a husband like him.

“I have met girls who told me, ‘I would love to have a father-in-law like you.’ I have met guys who said, ‘I would love to have a father like you.’ I have met women who said, ‘I would hate to have a husband like you.’ " he reminisced.

Directed by Deven Bhojani and produced by Jamnadas Majethia and Aatish Kapadia under Hats Off Productions, Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai featured an exceptional ensemble including Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly, and Rajesh Kumar. Set in South Mumbai’s upscale Cuffe Parade, it captured the humorous chaos of an eccentric upper-class Gujarati family that continues to charm viewers even today.