30 Weds 21 Season 2 Episode 1 Review: All's well that begins well, a refreshing start to a new season

The second season of the popular Telugu web show 30 Weds 21, starring Chaitanya Rao and Ananya, starts on an impressive note

30 Weds 21

30 Weds 21 Season 2

The popular web show backed by Chai Bisket, 30 Weds 21, directed by Prithvi Vanam, starring Chaitanya Rao and Ananya in the lead roles, is returning for a new season and what better occassion than Valentine's Day to start it! It's quite a challenge for any show to sustain its momentum across seasons but the team seems to have cracked the formula reasonably well.

Six months into the marriage of the protagonists, Prudhvi and Meghana, one of the former's friends, Karthik hosts a party with his near and dear. There are two versions to the party number- one melody and another fast-paced - and the catchy track provides the right window for the director to reintroduce his characters.

Thanks to the age gap, there's an obvious cultural disconnect between Prudhvi, Meghana and their friends. The later part of the year has the couple spending a lot of time with one another while Prudhvi is working at home with Meghana managing household affairs. In a matter of time, Prudhvi and Meghana are all set to ring in their first anniversary.

On their wedding day, Prudhvi and Meghana go shopping at a store and are at the risk of spending the entire day there because of a suspect COVID-19 case within the premises, until the concerned person is tested negative. The couple meets Karthik and his wife at the store too and the free-time gives them an opportunity to introspect on the one year gone by.

Though the not-so-new plot appears familar, it's salvaged by the mature yet light-hearted treatment, in a similar zone that one experienced in the Netflix show Little Things. At the heart of it, the episode discusses several issues, like how important it is for the wife and husband to look at life from the other person's shoes, sharing responsibilities at home, sustaining the fizz in a relationship beyond the 'honeymoon' phase. 

The idea of locking up the couple within a store to look back at the relationship is an example of smart storytelling. It's rather clear that the man is slightly insecure of being in a different generation from his wife and is worried if he'd be left out. Thankfully, there's nothing slapstack in the proceedings. Even in the conversation where Prithvi's parents argue about Bigg Boss, the humour is not stretched beyond its elasticity.

Chaitanya Rao and Ananya look very assured in each other's company and share a warm on-screen chemistry. The makers do a fine job in integrating music into the story effortlessly. Prathyaksh Raju's cinematography and the solid production design lend a classy outlook to the episode. Sensible filmmaking, understated yet relatable performances were the USP of the first season and the creators haven't lost sight of their strengths.

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