26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Witty, formidable and problematic: Why we can't get enough of Maya Sarabhai
I first stumbled upon Sarabhai vs Sarabhai on Star Utsav in 2012. At the heart of this delightfully sharp sitcom stood Maya Sarabhai, a character (played by Ratna Pathak Shah) who completely redefined the 'matriarch' figure. I quickly recognised that Sarabhai vs Sarabhai was no ordinary Indian family drama. It wasn't just the writing or the comic timing that stood out. It was how the show dared to go beyond the tired 'evil saas (mother-in-law) versus helpless bahu (daughter-in-law)' formula. The Sarabhais were a satire of Mumbai's upper crust, complete with ego battles over herbal teas and art exhibitions. And at the centre of it all was Maya Sarabhai—witty, smug, dramatic, and oh-so-watchable.
Maya Sarabhai was everything television told us women shouldn't be—unapologetically elitist, deliciously self-absorbed, and gloriously authentic. She dismissed Monisha's (played by Rupali Ganguly) 'middle-class' lifestyle with raised eyebrows and grimaced at Rosesh's (Rajesh Kumar) tragic poetry. But she wasn't just about sharp jabs—she was self-assured, intelligent, and always a step ahead. That's what made her iconic.
The show's first rendition lasted from 2004 to 2006. It made a comeback on the OTT platform, Hotstar, in 2017, though the second run paled in comparison. But Maya Sarabhai was formidable. Generation Z, fond of irony, memes, and savage honesty, embraced her completely. Maya was one of their own.
Priya, a 24-year-old student in Delhi, recasts Maya to today's world of Instagram reels and social media fame. 'If Maya were to make 'GRWM' (Get Ready With Me) reels, it would feature a ten-step skincare routine, along with a disclaimer for Monisha: 'No, this is NOT Pond's.' I can imagine her rating people's home décor choices or making a series of sarcastic shorts,' she says.
maya sarabhai was way ahead of her
— . (@shizaahahaa) October 7, 2023
What makes Maya's legacy even more powerful is how she broke the stereotypical 'saas' mould on Indian TV. Instead of being either a martyr or a monster, Maya became something far more interesting—real. 'Yes, she absolutely redefined the saas sterotype,' concurs Priya. 'She wasn't nosy or overbearing. She was sarcastic, stylish and had boundaries. She wasn't obsessed with kitchen politics. She just didn't want Monisha to hang plastic flowers in her living room. That's valid!'
When Atul, a 25-year-old from Bihar, first encountered Maya Sarabhai on screen, he saw her as the quintessential matriarchal head of the Sarabhai family. 'At first sight, she appeared to me as a classic elite lady full of outer charm and pretensions,' he recalls. Saturated with dramatic soap operas, he even thought of her as a 'vamp'. But that first impression quickly gave way to admiration.
'Her roasting skills are unmatched! She was the first roastmaster of Indian television,' Atul muses. What struck him most was how she carried herself without compromise. 'She was unapologetic in her expression. She never tried to be subtle when vilifying Monisha or conceal her hatred towards the middle class. Her flair, her sass, her sheer command were so apt.' he added.
Yet, he's not blind to the contradictions in her character. Reflecting on how Maya's sharp tongue and class biases would land today, he admits, 'Problematic off course. Her expectations from Monisha were deeply misogynistic sometimes. Had the show been aired today, her behaviour would have been flagged off as anti-woman and elitist to say the least.'
But Priya imagines if Maya were 'cancelled', she would probably go on Instagram Live, 'sipping chamomile and reading hate comments in a bored tone'. 'For Maya, the drama would always be an opportunity to flaunt her resilience and style,' she adds.
Maya was not defined by the people around her, but by her own strong opinions, sharp wit, and elegant sarees. She was a prototype for the modern woman. The kind who doesn't just walk into a room but redesigns it, judges your choice of rug, and still leaves you wanting her approval.
What started as a character in a quirky sitcom has now become a symbol of self-assurance for a whole new generation. Among daily soap operas, dominated by melodrama and moral binaries, Maya was a delightful disruption. And somehow, nearly two decades later, we're still watching her roast Monisha—and loving every second of it. Maya was a Gen Z icon born too early.
(Astha Jha was an intern at
