MUMBAI: Star World is all set to launch a new comedy seriesThe Office. The show will premiere on 4 September at 10:30 pm.

The sitcom emphasis on office politics, management jargon, sycophants, malicious gossip, practical jokes, jealousies, frustration; and, of course, the occasional knife in the back.

The Office is all about working life and the underpaid dead-end job, irritating colleagues and a smug, sexist boss, a place where trivial things take on a ridiculous importance. The office is set in a branch of Wernham Hoggs, a stationary company outside of London, informs an official release.

The actor Ricky Gervais gives a masterful performance as regional manager David Brent, at the branch in Wernham Hogg. He fancies himself as a great team leader using humour to win the loyalty of his staff. But, though he believes he behaves like one of the lads, he leaves no one in doubt who's in charge.

He is petty and pompous, a liar and hypocrite, sexist and insensitive, and he winds up his staff almost to the point of hysteria. Women are the butt of crude jokes; he talks entirely in clichés and attempts at humour are appalling, although everyone feels obliged to laugh at them. Worst of all, he reassures his staff that no one will lose their jobs, even though he knows there's a good chance that the branch will be forced to close, adds the release.

The Office is a wonderfully observed comedy filmed documentary style and features a cast of brilliant new talent. It has won many prestigious awards including two Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy of Films and Television Arts (BAFTAs) and 17 international television awards.