We are reliving the past. On one hand, we are battling a global crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. While on the other, we are learning to slow down and appreciate the finer things in life. Let’s reminisce about the olden times with Takeshi’s Castle. When life was smooth and emotions were pure.
What was Takeshi’s Castle all about?
It was a popular Japanese Game Show that first aired almost 34 years ago. It featured the Japanese comedian Takeshi Kitano (also known as Beat Takeshi) as a Count who owned a castle. He organized difficult challenges for players (or a volunteer army) to get to him.
It holds a special place in our hearts for it involved some really fun tasks and Jaaved Jaaferi’s fabulous Hindi commentary. This was one cult show that hasn’t failed to attain love from the masses in the past three decades. So much so that some time ago, there were reports of it returning on our TV screens and that it was being shot in Thailand. While there’s still ambiguity over the credibility of the comeback, we cannot help but relive the happy memories all over again.
The tasks including Honeycomb Maze, Whack The Stack, Skipping Stones, Dragon Lake, Quake and several others were such eye-pleasers
We have to give it to the Japs, when it comes to coming out with something innovative. They prove to be in a league of their own. Just to remind you this show was created in the 80s, even then they had such amazing tasks that it boggled our minds.
From evading ghosts in the Honeycomb Maze, holding on to dear life in Mushroom Trap to donning ridiculous wigs while trying to battle an earthquake. The tasks were all kinds of insane. Add JJ’s commentary and rapchick replay to that and we had ourselves a high dose of entertainment.
It wasn’t so much about the dialogues, but his timing and the way he said it at the right moment. Jaaferi would troll the evil twins Changu and Mangu by calling them several names including ‘chichhorre’ and ‘nikamme’. Then there was Pinku Mausi, who would be the clumsiest contestant and shriek/yell more than actually performing. From ‘Dominoes se girte Deewana to Bridge Ball se tapakte parwane’, a good part of our vacations were dedicated to this game show.
