Tanisha Saxena
At some point in our lives in college, we thought of opening a momo joint. At other junctures, we might have thought of just confiding in each other. And an MBA plan is most people’s dream. There’s nothing in control, as it is the final year of college. You want to settle down, make a good career, spend time with friends, and navigate your love life smoothly—all of which give you an adrenaline rush! Hard to sum up, right?
College Romance S4 attempts to sum up all these emotions in the five-part series. This season picks up where the previous one left off. Naira (Apoorva Arora) and Bagga (played by Gagan Arora) are navigating their relationship. They are confused as to how to initiate a conversation to sort out the misunderstandings. Karan (played by Keshav Sadhna) and his college junior, Dhatrpriya, aka DP (played by Nupur Nagpal), are in a cute relationship, and while they seem to be understanding each other, there’s something bigger simmering beneath the surface. Deepika (played by Shreya Mehta) speaks her mind, no matter who says what. Her take on relationships is nuanced and practical.
Following her breakups, she has become bitter but, deep down, still retains that softness. Harry (played by Eklavey Kashyap) is a cool and charismatic junior who wants to get into the good books of his seniors. And Raavi (played by Jhanvi Rawat) tries to sort out her equation with Bagga.
There’s something about the shows and films based on campus life. They can be funny, heartwarming, and eye-opening too. It is a concoction of highly self-confident optimism and deep-rooted uncertainty about the future that’s at the heart of this finale season of College Romance. Adhering to the formula of a rom-com, that wayward genre of sweet serendipity and forgivable thin plots, College romance manages to blend social commentary too.
In one episode, Bagga feels the insecurity and danger of moving away from Naira, as she has a plan to do an MBA in a different country. Anxious, Bagga tries to seek help from Karan. He wants to take his relationship with Naira to the next level. On the other hand, Naira is confused about whether to do an MBA or not. But one thing she is sure about is that she doesn’t want to commit anything right now. All this creates tension between both of them, and this is universal, right? All the dating people in college can relate to it.
Amidst a movie night, trip, job interview, and farewell party, the gang confronts anxiety and stress. Karan takes Dhatrpriya’s resume for the interview, which makes him realise that he hasn’t even started taking concrete steps in his relationship with her. “You deserve someone better, Karan tells DP as he breaks up with her. He couldn’t secure a job or do well in the entrance exam. This situation is most heartbreaking because, as youngsters, we have all been through it, or if we have not, we have at least encountered it around us. The pressure to be the best in all aspects of life almost chokes us. Karan couldn’t take it that he is just an average person, while Dhatrpriya shines with a three-page resume. But that doesn’t affect her at all, and in fact, she is happy to be with Karan. What’s the lesson? We need to accept our individuality.
There are several layers of such social commentary plugged into the show. The language is raw and as real as it gets. The collegegoers speak exactly like this: they rant, they cuss! The backdrop is once again Delhi, but there’s nothing like Delhi in the show. There are just mentions of some prominent places like Hauz Khas and Saket, but the landscape is totally absent. What doesn’t make sense in the show is why there’s no scene of students sitting inside the classrooms or taking exams. These poignant elements are missing from the plot, which is absurd. Alas! The show is engaging and exciting. The 30-minute episodes manage to keep us hooked on the screen as the situations are too relatable.
At the farewell party, all the ill will gets cleared. Trippy (played by Manjot Singh) makes a surprise entry, and the reunion farewell party leaves us almost teary-eyed. Adulting is hard, especially on college premises. The background score by Tusshar Mallek complements the plot. Overall, this final journey of friendship, self-discovery, and triumph over fears, all while embracing the craziness, is worth watching.
Rating: 3
