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Popula Pette (lit. 'Spice box') is a 1997 Indian Telugu-language comedy-drama television series created and directed by Jandhyala. Produced by Ramoji Rao under the banner Usha Kiran Movies, the series aired on ETV and featured Naresh, Kinnera, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam, and Sakshi Ranga Rao in key roles. Set in the middle-class colony of Ananda Nilayam, which is humorously referred to as "Popula Pette" by outsiders, the show revolves around the lives of several eccentric families navigating everyday challenges with humour.

Popula Pette marked Jandhyala's only directorial project for television. It premiered on January 24, 1997, and ran for one year before concluding. The series was praised for its clean humour, family-oriented content, and portrayal of middle-class life. It is considered an influential show in Telugu television and is often cited as a precursor for later series like Amrutham.

Premise

The series is set in Ananda Nilayam, a middle-class colony populated by diverse families, humorously referred to as "Popula Pette" (spice box) by outsiders, symbolizing the variety of its residents.

The series follows the lives of several quirky families. Kameswara Rao, affectionately called "Kamesam," lives with his movie-obsessed wife and their mischievous son, Babloo. While Kamesam works hard to save money, his wife remains absorbed in films, and Babloo frequently causes trouble with his antics.

Another family in the colony is Anjaneyulu and his wife, who have nine children due to poor family planning, leading to frequent visits from extended relatives. Panakala Rao, a member of another family, is known for his sudden convulsions or trances, which he sometimes feigns to avoid the control of his domineering wife. Other eccentric characters include the "Ice Cream Aunty," who constantly craves ice cream and forgets everything else in her pursuit, and Appa Rao, a tailor who is known for his frequent use of cuss words.

Cast

• Naresh as Kameswara Rao "Kamesam"
• Kinnera
• Dharmavarapu Subramanyam as Panakala Rao
• Krishnaveni
• Sakshi Ranga Rao as Anjaneyulu
• Alapati Lakshmi
• Subbaraya Sarma
• Mamatha
• Gundu Hanumantha Rao
• Master Sadanandam as Babloo
• AVS as Babloo's school teacher
• Kallu Chidambaram
• Rajeev Kanakala

Production

Popula Pette marked the television directorial debut of Jandhyala, a prominent filmmaker known for his family-oriented comedies in Telugu cinema. The series, which aired on ETV in 1997, remains Jandhyala's only directorial project for television. True to his cinematic style, the show centered on middle-class struggles and family dynamics, blending humour with domestic issues. The episodes maintained a family-friendly tone, avoiding explicit content or jokes.

The casting of actor Naresh, who had previously collaborated with Jandhyala on several successful films such as Rendu Jella Seetha (1983), Choopulu Kalasina Subhavela (1988), and Hai Hai Nayaka (1989) was a significant element of the series. Their established professional partnership brought familiarity and appeal to the show, capitalizing on their successful comedic rapport.

The series depicted the everyday lives and challenges of middle-class families, exploring domestic issues, relationships, and personal struggles through clean comedy and subtle satire. A notable episode features a child who introduces fake parents to his teacher to avoid punishment from his real parents, showcasing the show's humorous portrayal of family dynamics.

Release

Popula Pette premiered on January 24, 1997, and aired every Friday, with each episode having a runtime of approximately 20 to 24 minutes. Despite its popularity, the series concluded after one year due to unforeseen circumstances.

In recent years, Popula Pette was re-telecast on the ETV Win OTT platform, gaining a new audience. Select episodes were also made available on YouTube, allowing the series to reach a wider and modern viewership.

Reception

Popula Pette was praised for its humour, character development, and relatable themes. The series was noted for its family-friendly content, which avoided explicit jokes, and its ability to balance drama with comedy. The on-screen chemistry between lead actors Naresh, Subramanyam, and Ranga Rao also contributed to the show's appeal.

Although Popula Pette concluded after one year due to unforeseen circumstances, it remains remembered as one of the notable comedy serials in Telugu television. The series is recognized for Jandhyala's skill in creating engaging and humorous content, bridging cinema and television with his distinctive style.

Popula Pette is considered influential in Telugu television comedy and is often cited as an inspiration for later shows such as Amrutham.

References

1. ^ Nelki Naresh Kumar (28 May 2024). "Popula Pette Serial: సీనియర్ నరేష్, జంధ్యాల కాంబోలో వచ్చిన క్లీన్ కామెడీ సీరియల్ - ఈటీవీ విన్ ఓటీటీలో రీ టెలికాస్ట్‌" [Popula Pette: Clean Comedy Serial by Senior Naresh and Jandhyala Now Streaming on ETV Win OTT]. Hindustan Times (in Telugu). Retrieved 17 December 2024.
2. ^ "Telugu TV Serial Popula Pette". Nettv4u. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
3. Popula Pette Episodes. ETV Win. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
4. "'˜Telugu people' don't want dubbed serials". Bangalore Mirror. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2024.

External links

• Popula Pette at YouTube
• Popula Pette at ETV Win

• 1997 Indian television series debuts
• Telugu-language television shows
• Indian comedy television series
• Indian television sitcoms
• ETV Telugu original programming