Parachute Series Review: Earnest family drama on parenting, elevated by cast’s brilliant performances and crisp writing

3.5/5

Parachute Series Story

Rudra, 7 (Iyal), and Varun, 11 (Shakti) are siblings who live with their mother Lakshmi, a housewife (Kani Thiru), and father Shanmugam (Kishore), a gas cylinder delivery agent. Even with his meager income Shanmugam sends his children to a posh school but is short-tempered and grumpy when behaving with his family members. Him resorting to beating Varun when he does wrong, creates even more hurdles when Rudra and Varun take a small adventure in their father’s bike Parachute, and get into trouble after the bike gets off their hands.

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Parachute Series Review

Figuring out what makes a good series for children and about children can become a bit tricky because the sense and sensibilities of what might appear appealing for the little ones can be starkly different from what the adults can be engrossed in. Finding a sweet spot between the two is nearly impossible, but when the series attempts to deliver some indulgent portions for both age groups, that’s when it feels refreshing and Parachute is one such story. Innocent, caring, and thought-provoking, all at the same time.

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There is so much simplicity, yet filled with deep meanings in Parachute, a series that lovingly embraces the flaws of adults and fears of children, without vilifying either of them. For once, Rudra and Varun are children and their characters are written and performed in a way a child would behave. They meddle, or as they see it, play with any objects of fascination, be it the fishes in a cylindrical glass they grow in, their mother’s tailoring machine, or even their father’s bike they fondly call Parachute. Rudra, being an achiever than her brother is, the soft patch for her brother when he scores less on his report card which needs to be signed by their strict father. Meanwhile, Varun is the adventurer that a much more delicate Rudra needs. As much as we know about the children, we understand a little more about the parents too. Kani as a meek housewife Lakshmi plays her part being helpless and the softer parent, while Kishore brandishes his acting prowess as a father who can belt his son for wrongdoings, but at the same time also makes sure they receive the best of education even if it above his capabilities. You see a particular shade of Shanmugam who understands him drinking in front of his children isn’t a good idea, when he carefully gulps his drink by the stove side as Lakshmi makes him an omelette side dish. He could have drunk in the middle of the hall, given how he never shies away from showing his wrath on his children but understands there are certain things he shouldn’t be doing as well.

Parachute takes a serious turn when the children go missing along with the titular bike. The case gets meddled with another towed bike stolen from the police station. Kiruba (Krishna), a cop who has been de-promoted to the traffic department is at the helm of the case and is in charge of finding the children. Director Rasu Ranjith weaves in a screenplay that makes Kiruba understand Shanmugam while also adding a layer of a traffic cop’s work. And to be said, Kiruba gets one of the best lines in the series when he says if beating children can change them, then society would have changed by now given the police’s beating. Even as it might sound lessening the impact of police brutality, the placement of the dialogue is important and honest about how domestic violence can impact children.

Even with crisp writing and runtime, Parachute is beautifully elevated by the lead cast performances. Krishna, Kishore, and Kani, along with a supporting cast of actors Kaali Venkat and Baava Chelladurai, play their roles in what looks tailor-made for them. However, the major share of credits goes to Iyal and Shakti, whose charming screen presence is what makes the series both lively and impactful. It almost feels like the two children propel the show at the forefront while being ably backed by honest writing. The episodic nature, with its little cliffhangers too, doesn’t feel clickbait.

Parachute Series Verdict

While there has been a vacuum in the Tamil entertainment industry when it comes to making stories for OTT and with children, Parachute can be considered a positive step ahead. It encompasses so many things to say, to both adults and children and carefully threads on a path that is neither preachy nor immature. Parachute is a much-needed addition to the Tamil OTT space, and more so to say, a good story to start telling about parenting.