Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 3, 2018)

The popular comedy show Khichdi which returns with a third season after a decade will have Ratna Pathak Shah in a cameo. She flashbacks to the ’50s to tog up in silk saris, net blouses and ‘veni’ in her hair to play grand mother-in-law to real life sister Supriya Pathak. It was a character briefly played by their late mother, Dina Pathak.

The show’s writer-co-producer Aatish Kapadia confirmed the news but was quick to add that while Ratna will play mother to Anang Desai who is in his 60s now, she will be seen in a much younger avatar. “Badi maa, the character Dinaji played, was a strong, modern woman who does not agree with her stuck-up son. Ratnaji fits the role because she too is a contemporary thinker. But she has large shoes to fill,” he admits.

According to a source close to the development, the show has an interesting chemistry between the two sisters who are pitted against each other. “Ratna does not like the fact that Praful has married a foolish woman like Hansa,” informs the source, recalling that in 2004 Ratna and Supriya were seen together in a crossover episode of Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai and Khichdi. “So, it’s an on-screen reunion of sorts after 14 years.”

Co-producer Jamnadas Majethia, who played Himanshu in the show which launched in 2002, told Mirror that Ratna and he have discussed the role at length. “We are hoping everything works out as planned,” he said.

The second season of the show, Instant Khichdi, aired in 2005 while Khichdi: The Movie, released on October 1, 2010, featuring the main cast, making it the first Indian TV series to be adapted into a film.

Dina Pathak played badi maa till her demise in October 2002 at the age of 80. Veteran Gujarati stage actress Lily Patel was subsequently brought in to play the part.