What Is the Story About?
Riya’s household has a new guest – Ved, son of her father’s close friend Dinesh. As the family gradually adapts to his presence at the house, Riya is desperate to stabilise her relationship with the divorcee Jogi. She finds a new friend in Ved, also her secret admirer. Meanwhile, aunt Rajjo is all set to enter wedlock with a neighbour but Riya is as confused as ever about her relationships.
Performances?
Maanvi Gagroo is an actor who’s consistently proved her worth in recent years in the digital medium. Honestly, a show like Half Love Half Arranged is a walk in the park for her, for it’s too basic to test her mettle. Karan Wahi, in addition to his good looks, wins your attention while he lasts, though his role is poorly fleshed out.
Rithvikk Dhanjani has an enthusiastic screen presence and there’s enough joie de vivre in his performance to play a charmer as Ved, a new guest in Riya’s household. The comical exchanges among Supriya Shukla, Grusha Kapoor, Amit Singh Thakur infuse life into the proceedings, while Aradhna Tripathi, Bhavya Grover and Kartik Krishnan pass muster in their brief roles.
Analysis
It’s sometimes relieving to know that all a show is trying to be is ‘relatable’ sans any ounce of pretence – cooking up a simple story with basic, familiar conflicts, peppered with situational humour. Half Love Half Arranged, which introduced us to Riya’s eccentric yet likeable family and her unpredictable love life, is back for a new season – where she finds herself entangled in a love triangle.
There’s more chaos in the household with the arrival of Ved – supposedly a family friend. Despite initial friction, Ved and Riya’s family get along well. Ved finds a way to charm the family members with his culinary skills. While her work life remains stable, Riya continues to be in a relationship with Jogi, a divorcee who’s fighting a custody battle with his ex-wife.
Riya is secure and happy with Jogi’s presence in her life, vibing with him and his friend circle and bonding with his daughter Aashi whenever possible. Jogi makes it clear that his life isn’t exactly a bed of roses and avoids the idea of marriage for the time being. Their relationship has its highs and lows but it’s complicated when Ved expresses interest in Riya – a move that catches her by surprise.
Besides Riya’s endeavours – in romance and at work – the season has an additional subplot, centred on aunt Rajjo, who’s smitten by her neighbour. It’s impressive that the show keeps you engaged with its breezy screenplay despite its wafer-thin story. Yes, some of the humour borders on the silly but the characters and the performances are lively.
In addition to its feel-good vibe, one of the primary USPs of Half Love Half Arranged is its effort to understand the lifestyle and the ambiguities of a modern-day working woman, without judging/shaming her for her choices. Riya means well but has her mood swings – the chaos of her personal life often spills onto her work though she finds a way to strike a balance.
An issue with Half Love Half Arranged is the men in Riya’s life – both Jogi and Ved aren’t exactly well-rounded characters, the creators explore them only on a superficial level. The trope of a girl falling in love with a new guest in the house is also as old as the hills. The conflicts between Riya and Jogi are exaggerated beyond necessity and it’s hard to take their relationship seriously.
Directed by Simarpreet Singh, (who also helmed the first season) Half Love Half Arranged Season 2 is a one-time watch – a show content with its surface-level treatment, too conscious of being lightweight and breezy. While it has its moments and may be a good excuse to kill time, it’s eminently forgettable.
Music and Other Departments?
Karthik Rao’s music score may not have a standout quality, but it seamlessly merges with the narrative. Thanks to Nachiket Pangare’s vibrant colour palette, there’s not a dull moment on the screen, true to the story’s spirit. Editor Hrishikesh Petwe stitches a coherent narrative without major bumps in the storytelling.
Highlights?
Maanvi Gagroo’s performance
Breezy screenplay
Good humour, relatable treatment
Drawbacks?
Superficial for the most part
Conflicts don’t make an impact
Weak characterisation
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts
Will You Recommend It?
If you’re in the mood for an average urban rom-com
Half Love Half Arranged Season 2 Web Series Review by Binged Bureau