Raat Jawaan Hai (Season 1)
Introduction
At a penultimate point on the show Raat Jawaan Hai, a character exclaims that we are like kids, just potty trained! This line perfectly summed up the show that was a heartfelt take on adulthood and parenthood, both which go hand in hand after a point. There is something about millenials that makes us special. A generation that is effectively a transition between the old times and the new ways of life. So while growing up, we have been privy to a world that is so different from the one that we witness right now. As a result, parenthood in the new millenium is drastically a different ball game from the ones that our parents were privy to. We are a part of the generation that wants to party, have our share of fun even in our 30s, yet most of us are bound by duties of parenthood or the byproducts of adulthood that accompany our daily lives. Let’s face it – our lives would change after having children which means no ‘Me-Time’, no late-night parties, hell….no parties at all, even as you and your spouse would take turns to plan your day according to your children. And, and, and….your intimacy may potentially go for a toss! All of this and more is beautifully highlighted in the new show Raat Jawaan Hai that comes as a breath of fresh air in so many ways.
Story & Screenplay
The core gaze of the show Raat Jawaan Hai is essentially in the slice of life zone. It is early on that you are introduced to the principals characters, specifically three friends who have been together since childhood. There is a warm bond that they share, something that is reflective in the banter that they share which essentially forms the crux of their relationship. Yet, this slice of life drama explores their dynamics in the wake of parenthood that offers minute obstacles to yheir friendship, even as they have to manage their spare time equally amongst themselves and their respective spouses. The story here is comforting in many ways while maintaining the tone of the drama to be light and frothy throughout the screenplay standing at 8 episodes of 30 odd minutes each. It is almost like different chapters in the lives of the young adults in the wake of parenthood that acts as a connecting thread for each episode.
It is early on that you witness the trio planning for a movie wherein one of them is supremely excited but the other two aren’t and would just be happy to tread along. But there is a bigger issue – zeroing on a single day given that all of them are parents with working spouses. The tone is hilarious even while dwelling on a very common problem that would be so relatable to plenty of folks. The entire dynamics of the group is built on the characterization of the three principal characters – Avi (a terrific Barun Sobti) is an easy going guy who is content with being a stay-at-home father while being completely secured about his wife working and gaining promotions. Radhika (a wonderful Anjali Anand) is a character who aspires for her me-time in the wake of having a child even while wishing to kick-start her career by setting up something of her own. Suman (an excellent Priya Bapat) is the quiet restrained glue of the group who is content with her life while at times longing for the affection and intimacy from her husband that is fast dwindling after child birth. And the drama manoeuvres skillfully through these dynamics that also double up as the driving force of the screenplay.
There is a strong emotional core acting as an underlying layer that keeps the lighter moments of the drama in check. This, while the lighter moments ensure that the drama isn’t melodramatic. The kind of space that the drama taps into is a feel-good drama with a strong emotional core, something that you usually witness on a TVF show. There are conflicts within conflicts that the show taps into particularly when the trio are on the lookout for a nanny wherein the entire sequence is played out like an intertwining situational comedy before the wave of emotions kicks in at the end. This pattern is true for some of the other sequences also that follow a similar template. For instance, the little flashback of the trio that ends with a revelation even while quietly establishing a silent connect between the characters. And then, the reverse is true too (you will know when you see it😂😂).
I liked how the drama remains true to its core of maintaining a work-life balance wherein the work involves spending time with kids and the spouses. This, without complicating the relationship between the spouses and the trio, each of whom are shown to be secured in their own space. The area where the drama falters a little is in the penultimate episode where a buildup of emotions leads to a revelation. But the issue for me was in the buildup and staging that didn’t quite add up or contribute to the eventual revelation. Thankfully, the late blemish is nullified in an easy going finale that has an underlying layer of philosophy that comes to the fore even as the minute conflict between the trio is resolved within minutes, symbolic of their strong emotional bond. And when my mother said that she relates to a line uttered by the character of Suman at the end, I just knew that the writing had hit home. The screenplay is well written and leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are conversational and ridden with humour and warmth, two key ingredients of this universe that fit perfectly well in the overall scheme of things. The BGM beautifully aides the drama with the right kind of notes that tap into each of the underlying emotions of laughter, joy and warmth, almost seamlessly blending them and enhancing the impact of various scenes throughout the narrative. The cinematography is good and the frames presented ooze of the millenial vibe that is perfectly in sync with the mood of the drama. The editing is good for most parts of the runtime, briefly tapering towards the end that did have a few lags creeping in. But overall, it maintains the breezy vibe of the drama. Director Sumeet Vyas does a fine job in tapping into a rather relatable space for millenials, and he backs it with some excellent characters that are heartwarming and grounded. Sumeet also taps into the right kind of emotions without allowing the drama to get out of hand with the onset of melodrama, thereby sailing the narrative to safe shores quite effortlessly. The director is excellent here.
Performances
The performances are excellent by the members of the cast. Ashwini Kasar as Sunita brings such pure emotions to the fore in the sole scene that she features in, that gently melts your heart bit by bit. Karan Desai as the foul-mouthed friend of Avi is hilarious to the core, and he will invariably crack you up with his well-timed expletives. Priyansh Jora as Rishi has a quiet little charm to his character that he perfectly executes while being sincere and earnest. Vikram Singh Chauhan as Sattu is quietly comforting and showcases some great restraint filled with heartfelt traces of maturity that makes his character rather endearing. Hasleen Kaur as Swadha has a stoic screen presence that works wonderfully well with the character that she essays. There are genuine issues presented in a rather practical manner through her character, that makes her character nicely grounded and equally well performed by Hasleen.
Anjali Anand is such a talented actor and she is just brilliant to witness here as the no-nonsense but sweet character, Radhika. She presents her insecurities in a rather frivolous manner but the deeper you dig in with her character, the more you realise that she is all heart. I am a fan of Barun Sobti and his effortless energy onscreen that is common to most of his performances, be it the serious one in Asur or the light-hearted frothy character of Avi here. The approach of him underplaying his character is a good one, for the minimalistic approach has often brought a lot of success. And likewise here, his one-liners are excellent even while doing the balancing act rather seamlessly here in a superb outing yet again. Priya Bapat always has a likeable quality that engulfs her performances like an aura. Here she is grounded and so well restrained that the relatability of the drama often comes across through her character. She brilliantly taps into the underlying emotions of her character while never missing a single beat, and it accounts for an excellent performance that stays with you after the show has ended.
Conclusion
Backed by solid performances, the first season of Raat Jawaan Hai is a bittersweet tale of parenthood, adulthood and everything in between, that makes for a refreshing watch filled with warmth and humour. Available on SonyLiv.
