How the actuality sequence on Star Vijay is combining culinary expertise with feel-good comedy, and has confirmed to be a stress-buster for viewers throughout the pandemic
Amidst the intense yelling matches of Bigg Boss and the humdrum monotony of marathon soaps, it began off as a breath of contemporary air simply over a yr in the past, in late 2019. Ratings had been extraordinary to start with, as viewers took time to find what has arguably turn into the hottest actuality present on Tamil tv screens at the moment.
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We are referring to Cooku with Comali, the ingenious cooking competitors on Star Vijay and Disney+ Hotstar that has proved to be a stress-buster throughout the pandemic, interesting to followers throughout nations.
The show’s premise is easy: Each process pairs a contestant (normally a TV/ movie actor, anchor or social media star) with a ‘comali’ (comic), and the duo takes to the kitchen collectively and cooks a dish primarily based on the judges’ directions. However, numerous challenges are thrown their manner, leading to hilarious conditions.
“Most different cooking-based actuality exhibits are fairly critical, so we needed to present this a comic book spin. That was the thought once we began off; however we included extra and extra adjustments going ahead. For occasion, organising new cook-comali pairs each week makes it thrilling for the viewers to see how the dynamics between the two play out,” says Parthiban, who’s the director of the present, that’s now in its second season.
The forged and staff of ‘Cooku with Comali’ on Star Vijay
What has finally made CWC such a success although, is the banter between the comedians. Be it Pugazh’s jovial flirting with different contestants like Pavithra and Darsha, or Sivaangi’s shenanigans with Ashwin, the repartee between the performers has captured folks’s fancy. Even a few of the extra skilled cooks like Baba Bhaskar and Shakeela lower free and have a ball most of the time.
“We do completely zero preparation earlier than we movie an episode. Whatever I feel in the second, I blurt it out. It’s as spontaneous as potential — that is the secret! What you see on display screen is our real-life personalities,” grins Sivaangi Krishnakumar, who first shot to fame through Super Singer.
But the focus of the present, which is overseen by judges/ celeb cooks Damu and Venkatesh Bhat, is at all times the cooking, reiterates director Parthiban. “That’s why we select the contestants, who seem on the present, primarily based on their means to cook dinner too. Beyond all the comedy and madcap antics, you see some nice dishes dropped at life,” he says.
The contestants could be the ones who spend all week studying up on recipes, however the comalis don’t practise in any respect, laughs Pugazh. “Just like the comedy, the meals additionally gained’t work out if we rehearse it,” he deadpans.
One of the show’s hottest points is the charming bond Pugazh shares with Sivaangi, with the two creating a “TV siblings” moniker over time. “I’ve identified Pugazh anna for simply round two years now. People appear to essentially take pleasure in our friendship, and I’m clearly glad to know him,” smiles Sivaangi.
The exchanges between Pugazh and Sivaangi, or for that matter, any of the different comalis, is imaginatively accentuated by the background rating with humorous film dialogues which can be hilariously in sync with the scenario enjoying out in the kitchen. “Credit for that goes to Sudan (extra popularly often called DJ Black) who picks which comedic music, tone or dialogue to make use of,” says Parthiban.
He provides that CWC’s TV scores and numbers have organically elevated throughout the lockdown, and with Season 2 proving to be much more of a winner, expectations will solely hold growing. “The consolation ranges between the comedians has improved now, and the cooks additionally got here extra ready this time round; no surprise it makes for higher content material!”
“I’m thrilled to be on it. Who could be my dream pairing in the future? Arjun Das! Imagine his voice and my voice collectively, it’ll be a complete hit!” Sivaangi laughs. “In the meantime, I wish to proceed singing and I’m additionally open to movie presents.”
Pugazh, who’s touted to be a part of a number of big-budget movie tasks going ahead, additionally says he desires to stability his film and tv profession. “This channel has given me a lot progress and love from folks; I at all times wish to be a part of it. I’ll proceed looking for inspiration from all the comedic legends and making folks giggle to the better of skills.
Cooku with Comali airs each Saturday and Sunday from 6.30 pm to eight pm on Star Vijay
