Dupahiya web series review: It is a new week and a brand new web series has started streaming on OTT platform Amazon Prime Video. Dupahiya, meaning two-wheeler, is directed by Sonam Nair (Masaba Masaba, Kaafir, Gippi fame) and boasts of a stellar star cast comprising Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Yashpal Sharma, Brijendra Kala, Sparsh Shrivastava, Bhuvan Arora, Shivani Raghuvanshi amongst others. The web series promises to be a family entertainer that will keep you hooked till the very end. But is it a ride that you should take? Check out our Dupahiya review to find out.
Dupahiya Web Series Review
Director: Sonam Nair
Cast: Renuka Shahane, Gajraj Rao, Yashpal Sharma, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Sparsh Shrivastava, Bhuvan Arora, Brijendra Kala amongst others
Creators: Avinash Dwivedi, Chirag Garg, Salona Bains Joshi, Shubh Shivdasani
Release Date: February 7, 2025 on Amazon Prime Video
What is the series Dupahiya all about?
Dupahiya is set in the fictional village of Dhadakpur, which is celebrating 25 years of being crime-free. But before the villagers are able to reap the benefits of this unbelievable feat, their life takes a chaotic turn after a prized two-wheeler (Dupahiya) gets stolen. Meant to be given to the groom as dowry, the theft brings big shame to the village with the risk of losing cime-free status, along with the fear of the groom’s side breaking the marriage alliance. This incident disrupts the village’s celebrations and sparks a series of humorous and emotional events as the villagers band together to recover the bike. The series delves into themes of community, pride, and societal norms such as the dowry system, gender bias and inequality, beauty standards, all while maintaining a lighthearted tone.
What’s hot about the series?
Before we get into any other aspect, let’s talk about the writing. Right from the story, to how the characters are sketched and the dialogues – all come together to create a fun and engaging experience. The script, penned by Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg, is sharp and engaging, blending humor with subtle social commentary. The narrative and situations are laced with comedy, and at no moment does it look forced. It shows the writers’ confidence in creating something that will organically make people have a good time and occasional laughs without trying too hard.
The creators Shubh Shivdasani and Salona Bians Joshi ensure that the concept and its treatment captures the essence of rural India. Some dialogues are so interesting for what has been said and how it is said that you’d want to rewind and rewatch. Spoiler Alert: One of my favourites that come at a very important point in the show is, “Iss duniya mein roz kuch aur ban jaati hoon, bada zor lagta hai khud ko khud banaye rakhne mein.”
Next, we have to talk about direction. Sonam Nair surprises us once again with her ability to keep you engaged and entertained in every scene. She is consistent episode after episode and maintains the tempo of the narrative, masterfully balancing comedy and drama. It is not easy to create something that is both entertaining and thought-provoking but Sonam does it with great ease. She has earlier worked on Gippi, Masaba Masaba, Kaafir and now with Dupahiya, a story set in rural India, Sonam proves her range as a director and how she can tactfully handle any genre and elevate its experience.
A good story and good direction needs good performances and the team of Dupahiya get lucky with the amazing cast that they put together. Gajraj Rao once again plays an endearing character and plays the perfect papa, who is progressive even in the most regressive situations. He has the ability to own every character he plays and this time is no different. Renuka Shahane is a delight to watch on screen and will make you wish to see more of her. If you have seen and loved Sparsh Shrivastava in Laapataa Ladies, watching his performance in Dupahiya will be a revelation as he gets to showcase his full potential as an actor. Shivani Raghuvanshi plays her part effortlessly while Bhuvan Arora adds a youthful energy and charm. He has a strong screen presence and looks like Vicky Kaushal’s doppelganger in a few scenes, but no one’s complaining.
Talking about the music, the entire album deserves a mention here. When you have some of the best in the industry like, Swanand Kirkire, Somesh Shah, Varuna Jain, Nikhita Gandhi, Bhavya Pandit, IP Singh, Akshay Raheja and more, come together to create music and pen lyrics, yeh toh hona he tha. The songs Saiyaan Ka Chumma and Hafte Ke Din stood out for me. The background score and songs complement the storyline beautifully, enhancing the emotional and comedic tone of the series.
The series may draw comparisons to Panchayat with its portrayal of small-town life and its quirky yet lovable characters. However, Dupahiya carves its own niche with a more chaotic and satirical approach.
Watch Dupahiya Trailer Here:
What’s Not?
Some plot twists are easy to anticipate, which might reduce the element of surprise. Talking about the pacing, a few episodes could have been tighter, avoiding the occasional lingering of the narrative on less impactful moments.
Verdict
Dupahiya is a delightful watch that captures the charm of small-town India with humour, heart, and a touch of chaos. With its strong performances, engaging writing, and relatable themes, it’s a series that will leave you smiling. While it shares similarities with Panchayat, it stands out with its unique storyline and satirical tone. Dupahiya is a breath of fresh air in a time when dark, violent themes have been ruling the big as well as OTT screens. It is a must-watch for fans of feel-good, family-friendly entertainment.
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