What Is the Story About?
Bagga (Gagan Arora) and friends are back with a new season of College Romance. In the third instalment, the story continues from where it left between Bagga and Naira. They are in a long-distance relationship, and things don’t seem to work well. Meanwhile, Karan has a new girlfriend, whereas the bold and beautiful Deepika is confused.
How a new character Hary enters into the established world of Bagga and friends and tear it apart? What is the central issue among them this time? Did it get resolved constitutes the third
season’s core plot.
Performances?
Gagan Arora, Apoorva Arora, Keshav Sadhna, and Shreya Mehta reprise their roles for the third season of College Romance. Gagan Arora is his usual self, full of energy. He also gets the right emotional moments to leave an impression. What’s more, he has an action side towards the end.
While Gagan Arora looks fine, one can’t say the same with Apoorva. She isn’t the same person anymore. She looks a little bloated, and her character arc doesn’t help. Yes, there is the expected progress, but it takes her on predictable and elderly lines.
Keshav Sadhna plays a two-note character, either coy and shy or aggressive. He does them well, but there is no real surprise here. Repetitiveness is a common trait of all the actors in the series, but he gets boring.
Shreya Mehta has a very relatable and identifiable character. She does well in parts but is mostly loud. The calmer and confusing moments (related to her sexuality) are fine and make one wish there were more of it.
Analysis
Parijat Joshi directs College Romance season three, with Apoorva Singh Karki acting as the creative head. The story is a direct continuation of events from the end of season two.
Two things stand out immediately as soon as the first episode is complete. The first is the chemistry between the team intact. It helps us sail through the proceedings breezily. The second, however, is an issue; it is that the cast looks visible aged and tired.
The freshness that instantly connected with the youth in the opening and second seasons is missing here. It isn’t apparent immediately but becomes more evident as things proceed.
Well, the actors are now seniors, but still, they look a lot tired and worn out. Deepika, for example, is now screaming instead of her confident self. It is not just her; others too have a similar problem where it seems like they are straining.
The whole thing leads to a formulaic feeling narratively. We can guess beforehand how certain characters are going to act. Also, we can see the direction the story is taking shape if one has seen the previous seasons. It gets that predictable in execution.
But, none can topple the central conceit here. Unlike the previous seasons, which had huge desi appeal, season three looks like apeing the west. At the same time, there is an urge to keep it ‘desi’. The constant struggle to be at both ends shows in the narrative.
The ending is a mess in this regard with the incorporation of the action. It is so far off from the show’s previous tone and presentation.
Overall, College Season three falls short of all the elements that made it a success in the first place. It feels laboured, jaded and exhaustive quickly. The fun is missing, and the drama is boring. If you have liked the previous seasons give it a try to continue the travel with the characters; otherwise, stay away.
Other Artists?
Eklavey Kashyap, Nupur Nagpal and Jahnvi Rawat are the third season’s new addition. Among the three, Jahnvi has the most compelling part, followed by Eklavey Kashyap.
Jahnvi Rawat has been presented as Zendaya-lite. From the styling to the body language, the whole act borrows heavily from the Hollywood actor. She is fine and does well in critical dramatic sequences. Eklavey Kashyap starts promisingly but soon gets lost in the crowd. The weak characterisation doesn’t let him shine. Nupur Nagpal gets irritating with her dumb and geeky act after a point.
The rest of the cast have bits and pieces roles which are acted adequately. However, none manage to stand out or come on par with the main ensemble cast.
Music and Other Departments?
Tusshar Mallek’s music and BGM are fine. They give the perfect yuppie feel and vibe necessary for a college romance. Shiv Parkash’s work as cinematographer is on expected lines lacking any surprise. Tushar Manocha’s editing is neat. The pacing is consistent, barring some sequences during the series’s second half. Ashutosh Chaturvedi and Pankaj Mavcji’s writing lacks the first season’s spark. Still, it makes the chemistry tick even though adding to the formulaic nature.
Highlights?
Casting
Writing
Duration
Drawbacks?
Formulaic Narrative
Predictability
Missing Freshness
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
College Romance Season 3 Web Series Reviewby Binged Bureau
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