Tejal Sinha
tejal.sinha30@gmail.com
Plot
Set in the culturally rich and high-energy atmosphere of Mumbai’s fictional Anderson College, Hai Junoon: Dream, Dare, Dominate revolves around a fierce talent showdown between two student groups — the privileged SuperSonics and the rebel-rooted Misfits. The plot kicks off when Gagan Ahuja (Neil Nitin Mukesh), an alumnus and successful musician returning from LA, finds himself drawn back into the college’s ecosystem due to unexpected circumstances. He ends up mentoring the SuperSonics. Parallelly, a new group, the Misfits, emerges under the leadership of Sebi (Sumedh Mudgalkar) and mentorship of Pearl Saldanha (Jacqueline Fernandez). Their story is not just about winning a title, but about rediscovering identity, reclaiming purpose, and confronting personal demons through music and dance.
Highlights
The heartbeat of Hai Junoon lies in its electrifying music and meticulously crafted choreography. Shankar Mahadevan’s soundtrack brings depth and diversity to the series, ranging from rousing anthems to heartfelt ballads. These numbers do more than entertain — they mirror the emotional and psychological journeys of the characters. Equally impressive is the choreography, which isn’t just ornamental but acts as a narrative device, pushing the story forward and offering glimpses into the characters’ inner turmoil and aspirations. From underground dance-offs to polished stage spectacles, the visual palette is rich and vibrant.
Themes Explored
The show attempts to do more than just chronicle a college competition. It dives headfirst into pressing issues facing today’s youth — mental health battles, identity crises, digital burnout, and the pressure to conform. It offers nuanced perspectives on topics like gender fluidity, toxic perfectionism and the search for creative autonomy. Through its characters, Hai Junoon challenges stereotypes and encourages empathy. While this thematic ambition is commendable, the execution sometimes lacks finesse, with certain messages getting lost in overly dramatic subplots or undercooked story arcs.
Drawbacks
Where Hai Junoon stumbles is in its attempt to juggle too much at once. The narrative is burdened with an excess of characters, each with a backstory, agenda and emotional struggle. Instead of creating a rich ensemble, this ends up diluting the impact of individual arcs. The pacing suffers, as the show swings rapidly between character dramas, competitive sequences, and emotional flashbacks. Moments that deserve space to breathe are rushed, while others linger without clear payoff. This structural inconsistency pulls the viewer out just when emotional investment begins to form.
Performances
Among the performances, Sumedh Mudgalkar stands out. As Sebi, he brings an authenticity that is both raw and compelling — his portrayal of vulnerability, rebellion and purpose resonates deeply. Neil Nitin Mukesh, in his mentor role, exudes a quiet intensity and lends gravitas to an otherwise youthful ensemble. Jacqueline Fernandez tries to step out of her comfort zone as the passionate Pearl and while her performance has flashes of sincerity, the character doesn’t get enough nuance to fully shine. Siddharth Nigam, meanwhile, delivers a high-octane act that aligns well with the competitive spirit of the show, even if his character arc lacks depth.
Technical Aspects
Visually, Hai Junoon is top-tier. The production design captures the essence of elite college life while still allowing room for the gritty, street-level energy of the Misfits. Costume design subtly mirrors the socioeconomic divides between the two groups, and the cinematography enhances the dynamism of performances with kinetic camera work and stylish transitions. Editing, however, is a weak link — some scenes feel abruptly cut or misplaced, which disrupts narrative flow. Abhishek Sharma’s direction is ambitious, aiming to balance grandeur with grounded emotion, but the screenplay doesn’t always support his vision.
Verdict
Hai Junoon sets out to be more than just a college musical — it aspires to be a commentary on youth, creativity, identity and resilience. While the intention is clear and the visual-musical elements are engaging, the narrative falters under the weight of too many threads and too little cohesion. With a tighter script and sharper character focus, this series could’ve hit the right notes more consistently. As it stands, it’s an intermittently engaging watch powered by soulful music and standout performances, but it never quite becomes the anthem it sets out to be.
Streaming on: JioHotstar
Cast: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sumedh Mudgalkar, Siddharth Nigam
Director: Abhishek Sharma
Rating: 2.5/5
