BOTTOM LINE
Breezy, Modern Take On New Beginnings
PLATFORM
ETV Win
RUNTIME
1 Hour (6 Episode)
What Is the Show About?
After their painful divorces and amidst much apprehension, Akash and Chandini decide to tie the knot again. While Akash appears ready to give his all to the relationship, Chandini prefers to take it slow after her abusive past. How do they get over their baggage and differences and accept each other wholeheartedly?
Performances
Both Ravi Mahadasyam and Mounika Reddy perform well and make for a believable on-screen couple working out their second marriage. Ravi, cast as a green-flag husband who bottles up his thoughts and can be a people-pleaser, is efficient in a well-written role.
In a rare case of a Telugu show getting the representation of a modern-day, independent urban woman right, Mounika Reddy does full justice to Chandini. Sujatha, playing her supportive modern-day mother, bags a decent part too and adds warmth to the proceedings.
Analysis
OTTs are always a good testing ground for experimenting with stories treated like concepts. They need not be burdened by the typical highs, lows and conflicts expected of a theatrical release and can afford to focus on a brief and a tricky phase in a relationship on an intimate level.
Second Marriage, directed by the lead Ravi Mahadasyam himself, casts light on a couple navigating a new relationship after divorce. The man and woman take time to build trust, find a middle ground, sort out their priorities and find hope in each other. The awkwardness is greater, for it’s their second chance at marriage and they don’t want to get it wrong this time.
ETV Win adopts a sugar-coated, breezy treatment in dealing with a sensitive theme. While stories about divorced protagonists finding solace in a new marriage are nothing new, what works for Second Marriage is its light, contemporary approach to addressing challenges in modern-day relationships without making sweeping generalisations about either gender.
Over the six episodes, the psyche and the mental makeup of both lead characters are portrayed in impressive detail. For Akash, who didn’t get a chance to experience companionship in his previous marriage, he’s a tad too eager to give it everything and make the woman feel valued. It’s only natural that he is restless about his partner not reciprocating his effort.
Despite her marriage, Chandini is clear about her personal boundaries, firm in her choices, won’t tolerate vague sexist banter and can get a little too vocal with her opinions. Where does one draw the line between caring for one another, voicing out their differences and not intruding into each other’s daily lives? All it needs is time and patience, even more so because of their not-so-rosy pasts.
Sometimes, she prioritises work over returning home on time for a birthday dinner, and he gets fidgety. At a house party, he sneaks in for a glass of wine, much to her disapproval. The differences are nothing earth-shattering and, in most cases, not even worthy of an argument. Yet, at that moment, they trigger a nerve like no other.
Whenever their marriage goes through a lull, he talks to his sister to clear the air. She, meanwhile, turns to her mother for perspective. They both like, trust, and even respect each other, but the show revolves around one phase where that bridge is a little too hard to cross.
By the end of the show, it’s not as if everything in Akash and Chandini’s lives is sorted, but they are ready to laugh about it and start afresh. However, the cheesy ending, tied to their childhood photograph at school and the public apology at an office, is not in sync with the intimate, realistic treatment of the other segments.
Second Marriage is an easy, comfy OTT watch with an accessible theme, situational humour and relatable drama about the awkwardness of a new relationship after divorce. Everything is ironed out a little too smoothly for comfort, but there’s not much to complain about.
Music and Other Departments?
Bharat Manchiraju’s background score amplifies the show’s dramedy tone and maintains the decorum in the delicate, poignant moments, though the occasional song doesn’t make much of an impression. Despite being constrained to only a handful of locations and backdrops, cinematographer Pranav Rejimon leaves his imprint on the show with the visuals. The crisp runtime of around two hours is ideal for the compact theme.
Highlights?
Relatable, feel-good theme
Neat performances
Crisp, compact and sensible execution
Drawbacks?
Gets over the top at times, with the characters behaving hysterically
Cheesy, cinematic climax
Did I Enjoy It?
Mostly yes, even if it feels sanitised and convenient in parts.
Will You Recommend It?
Go for it. It’s light, sensible and neat, with a breezy, feel-good vibe.
Second Marriage Series Reviewed by M9 News
