Big B on Zee Smile now

After a host of re-runs like Nukkad and Waghle Ki Duniya and some original inspirations like Home Sweet Home, Zee Smile launches another weekly sitcom tonight. Titled Bechara Big B, it's a story about a confused and forgetful man, says producer Gulshan Sachdev, who has earlier produced soaps like Zanjeerien, Aap Ki Adalat, Jhoot Bole Kawwa Kate and Pancham for Zee. So is this storyline original? "Of course," beams Gulshan with confidence. "I have a friend who is professionally very successful, but personally very forgetful. This character is cut out from him," he adds. The serial has Rakesh Bedi (remember Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi?) and Ketaki Dave (Daksha chachi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi) in the lead with Virendra Saxena (Jassi's papaji in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin) and Madhvi Chopra. Rakesh plays the confused man who works for Virendra. Rakesh tends to get confused when he is given more than one work. This is the time when his secretary played by Madhavi Chopra comes to his rescue."I play Rakesh Bedi's wife. My life is shown to be in a mess being married to a confused, messy man," explains Ketaki. "This is an Indian family and thus I will have no tag lines like arararara," she laughs. Ketaki, remembered for walking out of Kyunki…., strongly opines, "Even if I were given one scene to do, I would do as long as it gives me scope to perform and learn. Good work however small is noticed and appreciated. Veteran stage actor Sarita Joshi did just one scene in Mahesh Bhatt's Nazar recently but she was noticed and written about in film reviews in spite of the lead actor Meera exposing herself. Isn't this testimony that good work is noticed?" Bechara Big B will have a new story every week and will introduce an additional character every week to add to the fun. It will also see Najneen Patel, Vaishali, Neeraj RajPurohit and Sumit Arora. The soap will be directed by Sachin Dev. The serial is slotted at 9 p.m. against Rajshri productions' Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki which launches tonight on Sahara One. The genres are different but it is the audiences' choice, after all!