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{{about|the Television series|the film with similar name|Akkarakazhchakal: The Movie}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| image        = AkkarakazhchakalPoster.png
| caption      = Logo
| runtime      = 18 minutes (approx.)
| location     = United States
| creator      = [[Abi Varghese]]<br /> [[Ajayan Venugopalan]]
| starring     = Jose Valiyakallumkall <br />Sajini Sachariah<br />[[Jacob Gregory]]<br />Litto Joseph<br />Priya Joseph
| country      = India
| network      = [[Kairali TV]]
| first_aired  = {{start date|2008|2|15|df=y}}
| last_aired   = {{end date|2010}}
| num_seasons  = 4
| num_episodes = 50
| followed_by  = ''[[Akkarakazhchakal: The Movie]]''
}}

'''''Akkarakkaazhchakal''''' (Malayalam: അക്കരക്കാഴ്ച്ചകൾ) is a [[Malayalam language]] Indian [[situation comedy|sitcom]] that aired on [[Kairali TV]] from 2008 to 2010. The series consisted of fifty episodes which chronicled the lives of a middle-class [[Malayali]] family settled in the United States .<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/being-malayali/article4742797.ecehttps://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/being-malayali/article4742797.ece|title = Being Malayali|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 23 May 2013|last1 = Sathyendran|first1 = Nita}}</ref> The show was created by [[Abi Varghese]] and Ajayan Venugopalan and starred relative newcomers as the leads.

The show is regarded as the first true Malayalam sitcom with real-life situations and witty dialogues minus any drama or artificiality seen in other Indian serials. The series was a refreshing break for the Malayalee audience who were fed on a staple diet of treacle-filled and unrealistic TV serials. It broke broadcasting conventions when it was uploaded into YouTube<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/user/akkarakazhchakal Akkara Kazhchakal Channel]</ref> in its entirety by the show's creators. Akkarakazhchakal has enjoyed widespread popularity during its initial run as well as the subsequent years. The series has been especially commended for its realistic portrayal of real-life Malayali life, social commentary and [[satirical]] humour. Josekutty Valiyakallumkal has been widely praised for his portrayal of George Thekkinmoottil, the patriarch of the family.

The show's popularity lead to a film titled [[Akkarakazhchakal: The Movie]].

==Characters==
[[File:Jose Valiyakallumkal.jpg|thumb|Josekutty Valiyakallumkal who plays George Thekkinmootil]]
The show focuses on George Thekumoottil (Josekutty Valiyakallumkal), a struggling [[insurance agent]]. His wife Rincy (Sajini Sachariah) is a [[nurse]] who prefers a more luxurious life. While George and Rincy grew up in [[Kerala]], [[India]], their children Matt (Febin Joseph) and Chakki mol (Felisha Joseph) were born and raised in the [[United States]] and prefer the American way of living. The show also features [[Jacob Gregory]] as George's [[insurance]] assistant, Giri Giri and Paulose Palatty as George's father.

Other episodes follow the lives of Mahi (Hari Dev) and Babykuttan (Sanjeev Nair), two nurses who recently immigrated from [[Kerala]], [[India]] and their housemates Krish (Jayan Mathew) and Baiju (Geo Thomas), who moved in with them after losing their jobs during the [[IT]] recession.

Other recurring characters include Pallilachan (Jose Paramus), a [[priest]] from the [[New Jersey]] [[Church (building)|church]], Rincy's friend Shiny (Shine Roy) and Shiny's husband Jacob Embranthiri (Saji Sebastin).

==Premise{{Anchor|Plot}}==
[[File:Gregory Jacob.jpg|thumb|[[Jacob Gregory]] who plays Girigiri]]

George Thekkinmootil is a [[Malayali]] from [[Aymanam]]. He moved to the [[U.S.]], after marrying Rincy who is a [[nurse]] working in [[New Jersey]]. Having grown up in [[Kerala]], he is often nostalgic and emotional about his homeland. Rincy, by contrast has accustomed to the American life, and is not bothered much by it. A [[running gag]] throughout the show is the cultural divide between George and his children. Though he is critical of their embracement of the [[American culture]], he is a loving father and often tells them how fortunate they are to enjoy such a great life in [[America]]. At the onset of the series, George is stuck in a job that he dislikes and tries launching various businesses, all of which backfire. He finally settles down as an [[insurance agent]] after clearing the Insurance License Exam, and starts his own Insurance firm.

Girigiri is George's ever-stammering insurance assistant. Even though his actual name is Gregory, George calls him "Girigiri" because of his stammering. His constant need for snacks is often criticized by George. Rincy is very fond of Girigiri and considers him like the younger brother she never had. Girigiri walks out after being irritated by Appachan, and Candy is recruited to take his place.But soon Girigiri joins back as Candy steals George's laptop & runs away and He got fired from his job.

Another plot line that runs parallel to George's is Mahi and Babykuttan. They lands in the [[U.S.]] through George's cousin, who is a placement agent in [[New Jersey]]. On their very first day, they almost ended up being arrested by a cop (Richard Lampone) after the fire alarm went off because they burned an omelet. The police officer mistook their ''Puttu Kodam'', used for making [[Puttu]], for a [[marijuana]] [[Volcano Vaporizer|vaporizer]].

There are a few episodes in which Appachan prepares [[grape]] pickles around the grape season, and Girigiri helps him sell them in the local Indian grocery store under the brand name Appachan's Achar.

==Cast==
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
! Character !! Portrayed by !! Role
|-
| George Thekkinmootil (Chettai/Kochu Kunju) || [[Josekutty Valiyakallumkal]] || Main protagonist of the series
|-
| Rincy || Sajini Sachariah || George's wife, a nurse by profession
|-
| Matt (Mathaikunju) || Litto Joseph || George's son
|-
| Chakkimol || Priya Joseph || George's daughter
|-
| Gregory John (Girigiri) || [[Jacob Gregory]] || George's assistant
|-
| Appachan || Paulose Palatty || George's father
|-
| Mahesh (Mahi) || Hari Dev || Nurse
|-
| Babykuttan || Sanjeev Nair || Nurse
|-
| Baiju || Geo Thomas || Software engineer
|-
| Krishankutty (Krish) || Jayan Joseph || Software engineer
|-
|Sunny Singh || Amarpreet Nanda || Roommate of Mahi and Babykuttan
|-
| Shiny || Shine Roy || Rincy's friend
|-
| Jacob Embranthiri || Saji Sebastian || A wine-loving scientist and Shiny's husband.
|-
| Achan || Joseph Mathew Kuttolamadom <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/breaking-akkara-kazhchakal-actor-joseph-mathew-dies-cardiac-arrest-626589|title=BREAKING: 'Akkara Kazhchakal' Actor Joseph Mathew Dies of Cardiac Arrest|date=18 March 2015}}</ref> || Parish Priest
|-
| Prasava Gopi || Devassy Palatti || Insurance agent. George's main competitor in the field
|-
| Candy || Cynthia Gianetti || George's Temporary assistant
|-
| Manager || Gracey James || George's manager
|-
| Ikkili Chacko || Sunny Kalloppara || Despatch at George's workplace
|-
|Jose ||Kurian Valiyakallumkal ||Georgekutty's friend
|-
| Philip|| Rengit Peter Madaparambath || Video cassette loaner
|-
| Nursing Superant || Bris Kocak||
|-
| Policeman|| Richard Lampone||Policeman questions Mahi&Babykuttan
|-
| Lady who takes Insurance||Olya Makiyenko||
|-
|Paul ||Greg Vorob ||Josekutty's neighbour
|-
| Molly||Malini Krishna ||Chackochan's wife
|-
| Chackochan|| Peter Neendoor||
|-
| Guest at Josekutty's house||Ajayan Venugopalan ||
|-
|Soman ||Soman||Malayali shop owner
|-
|Brittany ||Stephanie Pezolano||Babykuttan's English Tutor
|-
|Gopi's Assistant ||Sunita Sebastian||
|-
| Ramakrishna Iyyer||Ganesan Venkitaraman||College Professor 
|-
|Bhamadathan Namboothiri||Narayanan Kuttappan||
|-
|}

==Episode list==
{{Episode table|background=#053ba1 |overall=|title=|episodes={{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 1
 |Title = Church Going
 |ShortSummary = The George family prepares to go to Church.
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 2
 |Title = Malayalam Culture
 |ShortSummary = George installs a Malayalam Channel to teach his daughter Chakki and teenage son Matt the young adult in the family some "Malayalam Culture."
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 3
 |Title = New Nurses
 |ShortSummary = 
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 4
 |Title = George's New Business Idea
 |ShortSummary = 
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 5
 |Title = Christmas Invitation
 |ShortSummary = George is invited to a Christmas get-together at Chacko's house.
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 6
 |Title = Haunting
 |ShortSummary = George's house is haunted by a Madama Ghost.
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 7
 |Title = George's New Diet Plan
 |ShortSummary = Rincy forces George to go on a new diet plan.
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 8
 |Title = Insurance Agent Exam
 |ShortSummary = George studies to become an insurance agent.
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 9
 |Title = New Marketing Techniques
 |ShortSummary = George tries to grow Thekummootil Insurance Corp with new marketing techniques.
|LineColor = 053ba1
}}
}}
{{Colbegin}}

* 10 George agrees to do Feng Shui/Vasthu in his house.
* 11 Mahesh and Babykuttan try out the dating scene.
* 12 Gregory discovers his hidden talent.
* 13 George gets a new pet for the house.
* 14 George hires a handyman.
* 15 Rincy plans a trip to India.
* 16 Babykuttan joins Sameway (a multi-layer marketing company).
* 17 Babykuttan tries to be a Sameway Millionaire.
* 18 George has a "small party" while Rincy is away.
* 19 Rincy returns with Appachan.
* 20 Matt grows up.
* 21 George and Family gets invited to a party.
* 22 Gregory resigns.
* 23 Gregory's first day at [[Blimpie]].
* 24 George's new assistant.
* 25 Babykuttan learns to drive.
* 26 Generation Gap
* 27 Mahi tries to change career.
* 28 George brings a superstar home.
* 29 The Candy Problem
* 30 Appachan and Giri Giri's new hobby.
* 31 Appachan's Krishi
* 32 Appachan's Achar
* 33 Omana Onam 2008
* 34 Job Search. Car Search. Wife Search.
* 35 Back to School
* 36 Halloween
* 37 Mahi's Dilemma
* 38 The Rat Problem
* 39 George goes to the Doctor
* 40 Black Friday
* 41 Rincy's brother visits
* 42 Informercial episode
* 43 Christmas Episode
* 44 Appachan Babysits
* 45 The Love Letter
* 46 Appachan's Birthday
* 47 DJ KJ Episode
* 48 Going back Home
* 49 Babykuttan's English Tutor
* 50 George buys a New Benz
{{Colend}}

==Film locations==
* The house of George Thekkinmootil's family is located in [[Englewood, New Jersey|Englewood]] which is Abi Varghese's real home 
* Mahi and Babykuttan stay in a house that is located in [[North Brunswick Township, New Jersey|North Brunswick]] which is Ajayan Venugopalan's real home.

==Akkara Kazchakal - The Movie==
{{main|Akkara Kazhchakal: The Movie}}
Following the success of Akkara Kazhchakal, the team planned to release a movie calling it ''Akkara Kazhchakal - the movie''. The movie was released in the United States on 29 April 2011, and produced by Infamous Coconuts & BOM TV.

In the film, Thekkinmootil Family decides to move Appachan and Ammachi to an old age home in Kerala. Meanwhile, between the jobs and a new insurance office, George and Rincy finds it hard to spend time with the family. With Rincy, kids and Appachan complaining about a much needed break, George finally decides to take the family on a [[vacation]] to [[Niagara Falls]].

==Critical reviews==
Nita Sathyendran of [[The Hindu]] said: "It looks like George has not only delivered on his promise but has also managed to endear himself to his viewers.".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080902001630/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/08/29/stories/2008082950340300.htm The Hindu Online review]</ref> Jacob A. C. of [[Mathrubhumi]] said that "The victory of Akkara Kazhchakal lies in the fact that it was able to introduce the day to day life of an Malayali-American a lighter mood."<ref>[http://nri.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=22529&cat=21%E2%8A%82=137 Mathrubhumi review]</ref>

==Viewership==
This sitcom had an estimated 80,000 weekly viewers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}

==Show timing==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Country
! Showtime
! Re-run
|-
| [[India]]
|
| 10:00pm IST - 10:30pm IST ''(MON)''
|-
| United States
| 15:00 EST - 15:30 EST ''(Sat)''
| 22:30 EST - 23:00 EST ''(Fri)''
|}

==DVD releases==
A DVD of Akkara Kazhchakal was released during Onam 2008 celebrations of Kerala Association of New Jersey (KANJ) by the cast members.

==See also==
* ''[[Metro Park (web series)|Metro Park]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130907072816/http://kochipost.com/2013/04/22/abi-varghese-shares-his-inspiration-for-akkara-kazhchakal/ "Infamous Coconuts" Abi Varghese shares his inspiration for Akkara Kazhchakal]
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1257611/ Akkara Kazhachakal at the Internet Movie Database]

[[Category:Indian television sitcoms]]
[[Category:2008 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:2010 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language television shows]]