What Is the Story About?
Shanvika Chauhan, the daughter of an elite village head, falls hopelessly in love with her classmate Kuldeep Kumar, the son of a boatman. While Kuldeep resists her advances initially, he is eventually smitten. Though the duo is aware their relationship has no future, they stay together. One day, when Shanvi’s family members catch them red-handed, a rude shock awaits Kuldeep.
Performances?
The casting choices for the show are praiseworthy, given it’s the performances that bring believability to an otherwise familiar story. Dhaval Thakur and Sanchita Bashu deserve the lion’s share of the credit. The contrasting characterisation allows their chemistry to blossom organically and it’s this freshness that elevates the love segments.
Aniruddh Dave has little to contribute to the story this season but impresses while he lasts. Govind Pandey has an arresting screen presence and the natural aura of a disciplinarian, helping him play the village patriarch effortlessly. The supporting cast – comprising Shushil Pandey, Ridhima Dwivedi, Priyanka Das, Jyoti Dubey, Puneet Singh and others – do what’s expected of them.
Analysis
Thukra Ke Mera Pyaar, a zillionth offshoot of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is a mishmash of scores of films where two star-crossed lovers part ways due to caste and class divide. The most obvious inspirations for the show are notably Sairat, Pariyerum Perumal and RX 100 – where the daughter of a high-caste village head strikes a rapport with a boy from a marginalised community.
The story unfolds across two households – the Chauhans and Gendalal – simultaneously, exploring the power hierarchy within a village. Gendalal masquerades as a woman, grooving to sleazy dance numbers for quick money in the night and his wife Rukmi works as a maid at the Chauhan house. While Shanvi has a good-for-nothing brother, Kuldeep is a doting sibling to his sister Simmi.
Kuldeep a.k.a Kallu is introduced as a topper at college, a favourite of his masters, and is consistently encouraged by his father to study well and safeguard their family’s future. Shanvi expresses interest in Kuldeep, gifting him a new cycle and woos him relentlessly. Kuldeep and Shanvi have a bet related to an exam result, that decides the future course of their relationship.
As Kuldeep and Shanvi’s romance blossoms, they become increasingly aware of the dangers lurking around their relationship. When the cat is out of the bag – there’s no surprise about which family faces the music – resulting in one tragedy after the other. As the show nears culmination, there’s hope in sight for Kuldeep, while the Chauhans try to settle Shanvi’s marriage.
The backdrop of the show is primitive – there are stock characters and tropes all around, say the spoilt brat from a rich family and vulnerable boy from a poor household and the failed law and order within a village. Though it’s true that the ghost of caste doesn’t spare the modern-day world, the least one could do is to upgrade the filmmaking standards to ensure a richer viewing experience. While the show serves as an authentic portrait of rural politics and casteism, it breaks no new ground in terms of storytelling. At every stage, the plot keeps taking predictable turns. However, it’s remarkable that the creators still keep you glued, though it has more to do with the realistic, performances and some tender moments over an original premise.
The lead pair, in particular, shares a terrific on-screen chemistry that drives the proceedings forward, despite the unimaginative setting. The innocence in Dhaval Thakur’s performance is beautifully complemented by Sanchita Bashu’s assertive screen presence. On the technical front, the pleasant music and the captivating cinematography are major assets.
Thukra Ke Mera Pyaar takes an interesting turn towards the ending, with the creators showing glimpses of what’s in store for Kuldeep (as he prepares for UPSC and destiny smiles at him again) and his re-entry into the village that once abandoned him. The show is watchable for the performances, provided you look past a done-to-death story sans any surprise element.
Music and Other Departments?
Marshall Tyagi’s background score makes a mark primarily during the romance and light-hearted portions, where he lets the music seamlessly merge with the narrative. Composer duo Lavan-Veeral’s songs are foot-tapping, if not entirely memorable. Anshul Uniyal’s cinematography captures the rustic charm of Sitarpur while the crisply edited episodes are an added bonus.
Highlights?
Performances of Dhaval Thakur and Sanchita Bashu
Good music and arresting cinematography
Neat, crisp execution without major hiccups
Drawbacks?
Remains extremely predictable
Primitive, outdated setting
Breaks no new ground in terms of writing
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts
Will You Recommend It?
Provided you like formulaic rural romances with a tragic twist
Thukra Ke Mera Pyaar Web Series Review by Binged Bureau
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