Bakaiti review: A mirror to every middle-class home
The everyday chaos of a middle-class Indian household comes alive with charm, humour, and unmistakable relatability in ‘Bakaiti,’ Zee5’s latest slice-of-life drama.
Starring Rajesh Tailang, Sheeba Chaddha, Tanya Sharma, and Aditya Shukla, the eight-episode series captures the ambitions, struggles, and quirks of a family that feels instantly familiar. Directed by Ameet Guptha and produced by Aditi Shrivastava, Bakaiti blends warmth and wit to tell a story that’s equal parts funny and heartfelt—a celebration of the small moments that make up a big life.
Read our full review of 'Bakaiti' to find out if this heartwarming family drama is worth watching.
Storyline and setting
Sanjay Kataria (Rajesh) lives in his ancestral home in Ghaziabad along with his wife Sushma (Sheeba), his ever-fighting children Naina (Tanya) and Bharat (Aditya), and Sushma’s father (played by Ramesh Rai).
An advocate by profession, who isn’t getting cases to fight and is relying on notaries, is struggling to run his home. To better their financial situation, Sanjay and Sushma decide to rent one of the rooms in their house. However, it isn’t easy, as Sanjay’s father opposes it, and so do his kids. In the meantime, Sanjay’s younger brother Ajay (Parvinder Jit Singh) is more than willing to sell off the property.
Against all odds, Sanjay manages to find a tenant, but that doesn’t resolve their problems, as new troubles pop up soon due to family dynamics and his children’s aspirations.
‘Bakaiti’ revolves around these struggles and how the Katarias manage to stay afloat.
It’s grounded in real, lived expectations
‘Bakaiti’ opens with a now-familiar soundbite that recurs throughout the series:
“Pani ki tanki bhar gai hai. Kripya motor bandh kijiye” (The water tank is full. Please turn off the motor).
This simple alarm sets off the first of many chaotic moments in the household. As it blares, Sushma immediately calls out to the kids to switch off the motor. What follows is a comical squabble among them—each one passing the buck—until Santosh finally walks in and does the job himself.
Adding to the mayhem, Nanaji sits nearby watching television at full volume—ironically, without his hearing aids on (which, let’s be honest, is not something you’d typically expect from someone hard of hearing!).
The series is filled with many such moments that are a common scene in Indian middle-class families.
One of the show's most endearing qualities is how every scene strikes a chord—effortlessly relatable and deeply rooted in everyday family life. Whether it’s the constant bickering between siblings over the most trivial things or Sushma shouting at her children for sleeping in late on Raksha Bandhan, these are moments most of us—if not all—have grown up witnessing in our own homes.
What makes ‘Bakaiti’ even more special is its attention to the little details that define family dynamics—the unspoken understanding, the everyday chaos, and how, despite all the arguments and drama, it’s the family that ultimately comes together and stands strong when it matters most.
If writing is the heartbeat, performances are the lifeblood of this series
The beauty of ‘Bakaiti’ lies not just in its writing but in its honest performances too. Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chaddha are pitch-perfect as a middle-class couple. Both are actors who don’t just perform—they become their characters. Rajesh plays a father determined to give his children the very best, no matter how tough the circumstances, while Sheeba brings warmth and quiet strength to her role as a loving, understanding mother.
Their on-screen children are just as compelling. Tanya Sharma and Aditya Shukla, as the constantly-at-it sibling duo, deliver performances that feel lifted straight from real life. Not for a moment do they seem like they’re acting—every interaction between them feels lived-in, natural, and strikingly authentic. You’ll find yourself laughing both at them and with them during their petty fights, but their emotional moments are just as powerful—instantly reminding you of your own bond with a sibling.
Final word
‘Bakaiti’ is a sweet-sour family drama that certainly deserves to be watched. The episodes are about 20 minutes in length and tightly edited. It’s even nostalgic. A scene involving a friendship band will surely take you back in time. The series will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. It will also remind you of your family and the early days—at least it did so for me!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars