“I got to act in one episode of ‘Chinna Thambi’ serial. “I love the bonding of a joint family but at present live with my mother and sister,” adds Saravanan, who hails from Kambam. “This experience is making amends for what I’m missing in life,” he says. Saravanan Vikram, acting as one of the brothers is enjoying himself. Stalin was introduced by director Bharathiraja in his serial ‘Thekathi Ponnu.’ “I have also acted in 15 films and some of the serials produced by Vijay TV such as ‘Saravanan Meenakshi’ (Season 1 and 3), ‘Andal Azhagar,’ ‘C7’ and ‘Maappillai.’ I’m sure that people will decide in favour of joint family after seeing the serial,” he says. In the story, Sathyamoorthi (played by Stalin) is the eldest brother, who takes care of the others and runs the stores. It has, if the feedback is any indication, and that is encouraging,” he says. We are careful not to make the serial a tear-jerker. I was an assistant to director Vasanth Sai and know both these mediums. With the dialogue provided by the writer, I create the scenes, which only reflect real life. We are happy with the way the serial is shaping up. The script was shaped with the help of my story and dialogue writer Priya Thambi.

When I suggested the idea, Vijay TV, which was in fact looking our for a story on the subject agreed. “I lived with my parents and two brothers, who are married. His experience of living in a joint family triggered the idea in director Siva Sekar. This writer caught up with some of the leading members on the shooting spot.

The episodes are centred on this shadow boxing and developments on the home front. Harbouring an old grouse against the family, he gives the brothers trouble in running the shop. Challenge for the brothers comes in the form of Janardanan, father of Meena, another daughter-in-law. The eldest daughter-in-law, Dhanalakshmi is the pivot of the household, kindness personified.

The story, as the title suggests revolves round a grocery shop run by four brothers. Marching towards the 300-episode landmark, the serial is a favourite among addicts. The joint family set up might have vanished, well almost, in real life but it continues to be the canvas for TV soaps.

Pandian stores serial