Aj Robibar (1999)

Director: Monir Hossain Jibon

Written by: Humayun Ahmed

Created by: Humayun Ahmed

Cast: Abul Khayr, Aly Zaker, Abul Hayat, Suborna Mustafa, Zahid Hasan, Shaon, Shila Ahmed, Faruk Ahmed and others

Runtime: 350min

Plot: "Aj Robibar" is a classic television sitcom where the story is based on an ordinary yet not so ordinary household with complicated members in the family. Abul Khayr, who plays the elderly head of the household is exasperated with his three sons and the helping hands of their family. The elder son Asgor (Aly Zaker) is a prominent psychiatrist who is considered a lunatic by everyone in the family because of his actions and hobbies. The second son Jamil (Abul Hayat), is an architect and widower who is in love with a beautiful mature woman named Meera. 

Meera enters the house as a governess of Jamil's two daughters and eventually gains everyone's affection.  The two daughters Titli and Konka on the other hand, are love-struck by a young nerd (Anis) who is lodging at their house and has no knowledge of social surroundings. The youngest son of the household is a "wannabe" version of the fictional character "Himu" and mostly remains mute throughout the plot. 

Review: The late Humayun Ahmed is probably the most accomplished wordsmith of Bangladeshi media and this comedy series pays homage to his work. It is indeed a phenomenal piece of art which is still blooming in the hearts of the people especially from the 90's. The acting of the cast was not only immaculate, but seemed like a real life scenario with too many hysterical events that we can relate to. The character played by Zahid Hasan is the ultimate cure to one's dejection. His dialogues such as "Titli bhaiya, Titli bhaiya, amar shob kichu hijibiji mone hocche" along with the tone of his voice are simply the best. Furthermore, the story starts with Konka introducing every character with brief sarcasm which grabs the audience's attention from the very beginning. As the story advances further, it makes the audience wonder about how much they would miss the characters once it ends after the seventh episode. 

The songs used in this sitcom such as "Loke Bole" and "Nisha Laa Gilo Re" by Hason Raja is still everyone's favorite. Uhe song "Joley Bhasha Poddo" sung by Shaon in the series is incredibly tranquilizing and soothing for the soul. A reference of Baker Bhai is also reflected in the story when Asaduzzaman Noor plays as guest appearance. Moreover, the best scene of the series is the part when Moti, the helping hand peeps through the keyhole of Asgar's room and gets sprayed with ink. Later, Anis and Jamil also joins Moti in the act as they too interrupt the psychiatrist's privacy. It was the part when everybody was curious to know what Boro Chaccha was up to with a coffin. Perhaps with a maddening family like this, the only character who seemed normal in the house was Meera.

Reviewed by Sumaiya Akhter Nitu