The (Grewal) Family is the latest addition to Channel 4.  Let me introduce you to the surprising normal (by Asian standards) and wonderful family.

Sarbjit, the mother -  A full-time housewife, she is the glue that holds the family together. She is a loving wife and caring mother. You will find her nodding off while she’s watching telly, only to be awoken by her husband’s incessant bellowing (usually for a cup of tea). She also enjoys playing games on the laptop, it is nice to see her so absorbed in something other than serving her husband hand and foot! It’s funny too.

Funny quote/scene: When her daughter-in-law Shay applys henna to Sarbjit’s hair and wraps her head in a tesco carrier bag.

Arvinder, the father – Happily married to Sarbjit for 35 years – their marriage was arranged and the couple met on their wedding day. A full-time coach driver, Arvinder is as typical as they can get. He refuses to step foot in the kitchen, claiming that as a man he should not know anything about domesticity. He enjoys badgering his wife, either by calling her on her mobile when he’s downstairs and she’s in the bedroom, or simply by yelling ”Oyyyy”… charming.

Funny quote/scene: Arvinder on Sarbjit:

“She is loving and caring, and at the end of the day she is the only one that is going to cook for me.” (!)

“You’re snoring like a pig…you’re always sleeping, what have you done?” This is after she has woken up early, made him breakfast AND cleaned the whole house, not to mention cooked dinner! Men eh?

Sunny & Shay- Sunny is Arvinder and Sarbjit’s eldest son, who is married to Shay. Sunny works in airport security in terminal three at London’s Heathrow Airport, and Shay is a city slicker. She married Sunny against her mother’s wishes, and they have not spoken to one another for five years. The reason, is so trivial, but very common in the Asian community. Sunny is from a different caste system to Shay, and therefore, not good enough to be married to her. Their upcoming Indian wedding gives Shay hope that she may be able to reach out to her mother, but a meeting with her brother Dave makes it apparent that her mother is ”too busy” to speak to Shay.

Their story is touching, and their love for one another is very evident. There are times when you feel sorry for Shay, and you just want to reach out and give her a hug and tell her everything is going to be okay.

Tindy- The youngest son, who also works at the airport with his brother. He parties all night, and sleeps all day. At 23, he has never had a girlfriend and is open to the idea of a modern arranged marriage.

Funny quote/scene- Shay threading (a form of hair removal, using a thread) Tindy’s face.

Kaki & Jeet – Kaki is the only daughter, she is married to Jeet, a former Bollywood actor whose career was on the rise before he fell in love with Kaki and moved to England. They have been married for three and a half years, and they have a younger daughter called Bhavi, with another one on the way. They have a theatre company, and use the Grewals living room as rehearsal space.  Jeet is a great actor, but is very bad at lying to his wife when she questions him on whether he has been drinking. He is, however, brilliant at making up with his wife… a song and dance usually does the trick!

The couple’s relationship at times is strained. He resents her because he had to leave his flourishing career, only to be bogged down by responsibilty, the mortgage, and bills. She feels unloved, unappreciated, and vulnerable – especially at a time when her hormones are all over the place.

Love, laughter, tears…and endless cups of tea.

You would be a fool to miss it!

Channel 4, Wednesdays 9pm.