
Ravi Adhikari, chairman of Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network Ltd, has said the popular Jethalal-Babita track in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah appears to be inspired by the 1990s sitcom Shrimaan Shrimati. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, he said the idea of a man being attracted to another man's wife is a relatable premise and cannot be called a copy.

Adhikari noted that the show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai follows the same template even more closely. He stressed that what matters is ensuring characters do not cross the line, which both Shrimaan Shrimati and the newer shows have done. The 18-year-old Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to draw a large fan base for its comic situations.
This is the first time a co-creator of the original 1990s show has publicly linked it to the long-running TMKOC storyline. The admission comes as Indian television recycles successful templates, often without explicit credit. The key difference is tone: Shrimaan Shrimati was a farce centred on one couple, while TMKOC uses the gag as one thread in an ensemble. The next question for the industry is whether this opens a debate on intellectual property in TV comedy, where formulas travel freely between channels.
Source: bollywoodhungama.com
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