PremiumDil Dosti Dilemma review - Anushka Sen-led series is pleasantly predictable and perfectly passable
A charming but cautious viewing option is Dil Dosti Dilemma, in which Anushka Sen plays a spoiled rich girl who discovers both heart and harsh truths while visiting her hometown haunts.
Last Updated: 02.04 PM, Apr 30, 2024
Punishment for Asmara (Anushka Sen) involves sending her to her grandparents' home, which changes the course of her summer. She tells her friends she's in Canada so she can keep her face safe. She discovers true friends, valuable lessons, and even a spark of romance in the midst of the traditional environment. However, the secret she has been keeping could destroy it all. Will she have the guts to be authentic? A story of camaraderie, development, and surprises awaits!
There's a scene in the sixth episode where the character Dhruv tells Tania (Elisha Mayor) that, more than being a classy person, she is a classist. This is the theme that starts the series, Dil Dosti Dilemma, and also maintains it to some extent. The series shows Asmara, who flaunts her privilege, which she was born into but did not earn. Therefore, this doesn't even deter her from disparaging her maternal grandmother by referring to her as grandma's friend, as the first response she receives from her closest friends is typically "tackology."
This results in her parents punishing her and forcing her to relocate to Tibbri Road, a residential area closer to Bengaluru city, where she resides in a luxurious home. Amid all that, we do see that Asmara puts up a face in front of her friends, showing that she is also a spoilt brat with no heart. But eventually, even in the first episode, we get to see her empathetic side towards Ruksana (Vishakha Pandey), whom she meets accidentally without knowing that they are going to get close during the summer.
Thus begins "Asmara's Summer," and yes, the series is based on the book of the same name by Bengaluru-based writer Andaleeb Wajid. The series features the typical characters from the book, making it easy to watch without any complications.
Every episode ends with a cliffhanger, which gives it more telenovella vibes, and some of them do land in the right way. However, when the sequences shift to the other characters, especially Tania (Elisha Mayor) and Naina (Revathi Pilla), the narrative gets slightly disjointed.
This was also an issue with Prime Video's other YA drama, Big Girls Don't Cry, which failed to make a mark despite having the right potential. However, Dil Dosti Dilemma doesn't suffer from that. The characters, however, are far from reality; in a literal sense, they do have the right approach to dealing with stuff. This probably worked well because it was a book adaptation.
But Asmara's summer mission takes a turn, and her intention becomes that of a "krantikaari." Indeed, she earns the nickname "Tanker Rani" for resolving a water problem in the neighbourhood. It seems to get too superficial given that she is an utmost spoilt brat who gets adapted to this world, which she refuses to acknowledge in the first place.
However, the show maintains its cuteness by showcasing an elderly couple (Tanvi Azmi and Shishir Sharma) still in love after decades of marriage. On the other hand, there's a budding romance between Asmara and Farzaan (Kush Jotwani). Infidelity, forbidden love, love with intentions, and class-difference love all find their way into a single seven-episode series.
However, despite following an adorable path, the series primarily focuses on saving the "Tibbri Road Mission," which unfortunately becomes quite predictable. Reason? Well, all the older characters have some influence and are in high professional positions; of course, the young adults will use their power for their campaigns. Well, it's not wrong, but sometimes the simpler and more predictable approach also looks mundane.
Well, I shouldn't complain more, as OTT has shown complications over the past four years. That simple approach is, to be honest, hard to digest. However, it's not just the simple approach that's a problem; it's also the cliched drama that stays over the top throughout.
But the performances, especially by Anushka Sen and Tanvi Azmi, do leave an impressive mark. Their banter is also cute, with Naani cleaning up the mess and Asmara apologising every now and then. Their bubbliness is a key element that keeps the series afloat. But too much sugar!
Debbi Rao takes little liberty in bringing modern-day vibes to the show, which is all about Gen Z, who are classy and classist. It felt like Tibbri Road took the show to a bygone era, probably the 1990s, making it less believable and less fun. But you can have it float in the background, and your eyes can fall on the screen for a breezy watch.
A charming, if little predictable, combination of young drama with conventional clichés, Dil Dosti Dilemma is sure to please. The sincere performances bring comfort, even though they don't exactly burst with originality. For individuals who crave light, straightforward stories, this series could be the ideal indulgence.