BOTTOM LINE
Feel-Good Show With a Dose of Crime
PLATFORM
Jio Hotstar
RUNTIME
5 hrs, 20 minutes (8 Episodes)
What Is the Film About?
Roohi, a hospitality crew member at a posh hotel, enjoys a seemingly perfect life: a stable relationship with her police officer boyfriend, Omkar, and a loving family—her grandmother and single mother, who mean the world to her. Her life takes a dramatic turn after an artificial insemination procedure. The situation worsens when she discovers the donor is her boss, Samar.
Performances
Shweta Basu Prasad, who’s truly found her voice in the digital space, is in fine form in a rare show that features her in a full-length role. As a woman who’s caught in catch-22 situations quite often and firm about her integrity, she brings the character’s strength to the fore admirably, while also handling the humour and the drama like a seasoned performer.
Sonali Kulkarni excels in a solid role with a strong arc, ably supported by the dependable Apara Mehta. Aashim Gulati scores well with his looks and performance. Playing Omkar, a cop who struggles to express himself effectively, Abhay Mahajan is another impressive addition to the team. Jaaved Jaaferi is ageing like fine wine in the shoes of a TV actor who wants to make up for his poor choices. Amy Aela also makes her presence felt in a juicy part.
Analysis
Oops Ab Kya is a rather lazy title for a story with such compelling plot points: the drama surrounding the protagonist’s virginity, the shifting dynamics of her love life, and the hunt for a murderer. But every story resonates when its core idea strikes a chord, and this show, an adaptation of Jane The Virgin, moves at a restless pace, piquing your curiosity.
Capitalising on the growing interest in stories about artificial insemination and IVF, the series smartly expands on its intriguing premise, weaving a complex web of characters with hidden agendas. The humour complements a compelling plot. It maintains a lighthearted tone and organically progresses from one event to the next.
It’s consistently funny and occasionally springs a surprise too. The funky, non-linear narrative style—mini-flashbacks, voiceovers, and comical character visions—complements the racy screenplay. The storytelling effectively captures the personalities and philosophies of its flawed characters while keeping the atmosphere light and entertaining.
The idea to compare a woman’s honour (suggesting virginity) to a piggy bank is intentionally provocative. Roohi’s granny says, “It’s as delicate as a piggy bank. Once broken, you can’t fix it.” Ultimately, the story centres on three contrasting women across generations—Roohi, Subhadra, and Paakhi—who live life on their terms and support each other through conflicting situations, never compromising their integrity.
What it does with Paakhi’s character (Roohi’s mother) is particularly heartening – portraying an elderly woman in all her hues, her need for companionship and desires. Oops Ab Kya has other female characters with varied ambitions too – a wife who sleeps around with her husband’s bestie and wants to divorce him for the alimony, a lesbian medico who makes a mess of an artificial insemination procedure, a wheelchair-bound mother who plants evil ideas into her daughter’s mind.
While it effectively subverts mainstream cinema stereotypes in its portrayal of women and their conflicts, the men are no less colourful. Roohi is torn between a supportive yet conservative cop boyfriend Omkar and an irresistible, flamboyant boss Samar. Vanraj, the man in Paakhi’s life is so full of himself but wants to make amends for his past. It honestly tries to see the world through their lens.
All said and done, the conflicts among the characters are not merely devices to showcase their personalities; they are integral to the plot, creating an intriguing blend of character-driven drama and compelling narrative. The crime angle to the show is relatively underdeveloped while the melodrama overdose in the latter portions creates brief confusion. Yet, all’s well that ends well and there’s a strong hook leading to another season.
Despite being adapted from a popular show, the creators of Oops Ab Kya skillfully navigate its tricky tonal shifts with flair. You genuinely care for the characters and their world, and you’ll have a good time.
Music and Other Departments?
Simran Hora may not be presented with a vast opportunity to unleash his potential in Oops Ab Kya but delivers a score that changes its hues as per the tone of the show. Georgy John Panicker’s cinematography provides a visual fillip to the proceedings, with the production design and costumes lending a touch of class. Ayesha Nair, the writer, deserves a pat on her pack for adapting the show without diluting its soul.
Highlights?
Entertaining screenplay
Decent plot
Good performances
Drawbacks?
Under-developed crime angle
The drama gets superficial at times
Too lengthy for its plot
Did I Enjoy It?
yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, if you’re in the mood for something light-hearted and pulpy
Oops Ab Kya Series Review by M9
