Hum Paanch is an Indian sitcom that first aired from 1995 to 1999. The series returned for a second season in 2005 and 2006. The show starred Ashok Saraf, Vidya Balan, Rakhee Tandon, Bhairavi Raichura, and Vandana Pathak.

Plot

Anand Mathur is in a white-collar job who always finds himself in trouble because of his five daughters — Meenakshi, Radhika, Sweety, Kajal, and Chhoti. The three elder daughters are by his first wife. The younger two are by his second wife Bina, whom he married upon becoming a widower. Together, the five girls plan to do something new in every episode. Anand's first wife speaks to him through her portrait on the living room wall; Bina generally supports the daughters' ideas. The show was a runaway success, helping to establish Zee TV. When the show returned for a second season, Anand had returned from a long stay in the United States. Meenakshi was married to Purush whom she treats like a servant and shouts at. Radhika is married to Daljeet Singh whom her sisters call 'Pape'. He is a scientist and invents many things which get the girls into trouble. He is forgetful — he forgets people's names and basic things. Meenakshi's daughter is Damini, and Radhika's daughter is Gudiya.

Characters

Cast

Season One

Season Two

Production

Development

The series was Balaji Telefilms' first, back when its office was in a garage. The show thus marked the debut of Ekta Kapoor as a producer, at the age of 16. She personally made sure that the actors did their rehearsals and improvisations. The script of the first season was written by Imtiaz Patel. According to Ashok Saraf, who played the lead role of Anand Mathur in the series, "He has written the characters so well, people got hooked with each of them. Imtiaz's work was the height of improvisation. Imtiaz Patel was so talented that he could write one episode on a single line that he read in a newspaper." The show was mainly shot in Mumbai, with huge crowds assembling whenever there were scenes shot on the streets.

Casting

The series was the debut for many of the actors, including Vandana Pathak, Vidya Balan, and Rakhi Vijan. The show was the first comedy role of Shoma Anand.

Release

It was aired on Zee TV every Tuesdays 8pm, leading to its success as a series loved by the whole family. The first season ran from 1995 to 1999, while the second from 2005 to 2006.

Reboot

A reboot, Hum Paanch Phir Se, aired on Big Magic from 19 June 2017 to 1 March 2018 with a new cast and produced by Essel Vision Productions. The cast includes: