MUMBAI: In three weeks, as the Indian Idol climaxes in its grand finale, the question everybody seems to be grappling with is: What next?

Though Sony officials refuse to comment, reliable sources reveal that the much acclaimed Hat Trick's chatcom format The Kumars at No 42, the rights for which were bought by Sony, is slated to take up the Idol slot on Friday at 9:30. Following an half-hour format, the show has been customised for Indian audiences under the title Batliwalla House no 43.

Produced by boutique shop Hats Off, the format of the show will continue to maintain the flavour of the minority section and create a distinct difference between the celebrities and the family. The Indian Punjabi family in the original series is being substituted with a typical crazy fun loving Parsi family.

The show will have celebrities across all fields, from politicians to sport to entertainment.

The questions will capture, in a very unique manner, the essence of the celebrities' life on a very light and comical note. The launch of the show is being slated around early March.

Coming to the cast, the show will showcase fairly new faces on television. Mahabanu Modi Kotwal will play the famous grandmother. Delnaz Paul will play the mother, Sanjeev Vatsa the father and Bakthiar Irani the notorious host.

A point in note here is that the BBC hit commedy (airing on Star World in India), The Kumars at No 42 has been running successfully and has now been transferred from BBC2 to NPS in Holland, where a series centring on a Surinamese family instead of the original Indian clan has aired to good numbers. This unusual and creative show has caused a network bidding war which was finally won by the Peacock.

Batliwalla House no 43 is pitted against Star Plus' Khul Ja Sim Sim which airs every Friday between 9:30 - 10 pm.

Will this be Sony's next Jassi.. or just another average show?

The watch on television surely is getting exciting.