‘Raat Jawaan Hai’ Review: Barun Sobti, Priya Bapat and Anjali Anand’s Heartwarming Series on Friendships and Parenthood Will Leave You With a Big Smile, Guaranteed! (LatestLY Exclusive)

Raat Jawaan Hai Review: Some shows make you wish they never end, offering a tranquil viewing experience and heartwarming relatability. After binge-watching all eight episodes of Raat Jawaan Hai, I still wasn’t ready to let go of Avi, Suman, and Radz. I longed to see the camera follow them beyond their final chat at Mumbai’s iconic Marine Drive. Unfortunately, Raat Jawaan Hai perhaps follows the belief that too much of a good thing could spoil it, and so it ends on a high note, leaving me with an amiable sense of warmth and love, alongside a desire for more. This show, written by Khyati Anand Puthran and directed by Sumeet Vyas (Mikesh from Permanent Roommates), is an absolute winner. ‘Raat Jawaan Hai’ Trailer: Barun Sobti, Anjali Anand and Priya Bapat Navigate New Parenthood With Humour and Heart in SonyLIV Series.

Radhika (Anjali Anand), Suman (Priya Bapat), and Avinash (Barun Sobti) have been childhood best friends. They live in the same neighbourhood and presently share the same profession: they’re stay-at-home parents. Parenthood consumes much of their time, which leads them to seek out time and space to gang up - either to vent about parenting or make plans that may or may not come to fruition. Their respective partners are somewhat peripheral to the group’s dynamic, but they’re quite supportive of the friendship and hangouts.'

Watch the Trailer of 'Raat Jawaan Hai':

Across the eight episodes, we see the friends trying to make the best of their current lives with each other’s support, while tackling underlying issues like reviving their careers, dealing with in-laws, juggling parental responsibilities, and facing a lack of sexual drive.

'Raat Jawaan Hai' Review- Instantly Relatable and Well-Written

Whether you're single, married, a parent, or part of a DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) household, it’s easy to relate to the events in Raat Jawaan Hai - kids no bar. Screenplays that feel like they’re drawn directly from your life or someone you know are rare, but Raat Jawaan Hai feels like exactly that. Many situations felt lived through, with dialogues that resonated deeply. Full credit goes to Khyati Anand Puthran for crafting moments of such relatability that, even if you haven’t experienced them yourself, you feel as though they could happen to you.

Sumeet Vyas truly shines here as a director. His partnership with Khyati brings a natural humour to the scenes, leaving me grinning widely at the one-liners and situations right from the first episode.

The success of the show also lies in how well the characters are written. While the three friends may face similar challenges, their distinct personalities mean they experience them differently. Radhika is, as Suman puts it, a 'bully' with a headstrong personality. Avinash is a people-pleaser and a charming flirt, while Suman tends to avoid confrontation. Their partners are equally well-drawn, and it’s the contrast between their challenges and happy moments that makes each journey stand out, so you never feel inclined to root for one over the others. Rakshak - India's Braves Chapter 2 Review: Barun Sobti and Surbhi Chandna's Amazon miniTV's Series Triumphs with Stellar Performances and Realistic Thrills.

Interestingly, any negativity in the show doesn’t stem from the characters themselves but from situational requirements. Except for Avinash’s father (who doesn’t have enough screen time to become more than a prudish annoyance), the characters—whether primary or secondary—are written with enough depth to avoid feeling two-dimensional. For example, Suman’s conservative in-laws catch her and her friends drinking at a bus stop, and instead of causing a scene, they awkwardly invite them over for rum at their house.

'Raat Jawaan Hai' Review - A Nice Blend of Drama and Humour

It’s not all laughs, but even the emotional or serious moments, such as a couple discussing their lack of sexual intimacy, never go overboard with sentimentality. Raat Jawaan Hai captures your attention because it stays relevant and grounded in the characters’ struggles, despite the upper-middle-class setting. The show even pokes fun at this, as seen when a 'hangry' Radhika accuses a food delivery agent of stealing her meal, only for his reaction to make her realise the classist undertones of her outburst, highlighting that others have far bigger problems.

Even episodes that initially seem frivolous reveal surprising depth in their exploration of themes like class divide, sexuality, and non-traditional gender roles. In one episode, the trio visits a village in search of a nanny, which ends up showcasing how suburban parenting methods are nearly impossible in other parts of society that are restricted by the lack of privilege and money. Another episode, which begins with the discovery of a misplaced sex toy, evolves into a sensitive discussion on the sexual lives of married couples and the expectations tied to them. Throughout, the show gently reminds us, as Kumud Mishra's character advises his daughter, that these parents should never lose their own identities while raising their children. It’s refreshing to see a show written and portrayed with such maturity and care.

In my opinion, the final episodes are where Raat Jawaan Hai truly excels. When all three couples come under one roof, chaos ensues. There are fights, awkward revelations, new bonds are formed, and friendships are tested—but all with the necessary sensitivity and humour.

'Raat Jawaan Hai' Review - Stellar Performances

The casting also plays a significant role in the show's success. Can any show with Barun Sobti in it be bad? The fantastic and often underrated actor has a knack for choosing great projects in the web space, like Asur and Kohrra. What makes Raat Jawaan Hai stand out in his body of work is that he reconnects with his comic side. If you've seen his big-screen debut, Main Aur Mr Riight, or the lovely Tu Hai Mera Sunday, you'll know Sobti has excellent comic timing, which is put to good use here. As a stay-at-home dad (or SAHD, as Avi puts it), Sobti is charming and adds a layer of vulnerability to his character. I appreciated how he wasn’t always portrayed as 'cool'; there’s an underlying insecurity tied to his prickly relationship with his family. Yet, except for his father, no one diminishes his choice to stay at home and care for his child and that felt nice. Kohrra Review: Suvinder Vicky and Barun Sobti are Excellent in Netflix's Well-Written Police-Procedural Series.

For me, Anjali Anand was the show-stealer. She brings a certain vivacity and bossiness to her character, but with enough warmth and spunk. She has the best one-liners and truly shines in the penultimate episode, where her character makes a startling self-discovery. Priya Bapat, though more subdued due to her character’s nature, sparkles in the emotional scenes. She excels at portraying the awkwardness of someone who avoids confrontation—a reluctant people-pleaser wanting to be liked a bit more.

Hasleen Kaur, Priyansh Jora, and Vikram Singh Chauhan, who play the spouses, are also excellent. Though they don’t have as much screen time, their characters are well fleshed out, and their performances make them stand out. Kumud Mishra and Umesh Jagtap appear in cameos, but both deliver memorable scenes that will stay with you long after the show ends.

'Raat Jawaan Hai' Review - Final Thoughts

Raat Jawaan Hai is a refreshing, authentic and heartfelt portrayal of modern friendships and parenthood, delivered with the required humour, warmth, and emotional depth. The writing is sharp, the direction is spot-on, and the performances are stellar, particularly from the leads - Barun Sobti, Priya Bapat and Anjali Anand - who bring charm and nuance to their roles. Raat Jawaan Hai, streaming now on SonyLIV, leaves you wanting more, but in the best possible way.

(The opinions expressed in the above article are of the author and do not reflect the stand or position of LatestLY.)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2024 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).