Tejal Sinha
Plot
Oops! Ab Kya? follows Roohi (Shweta Basu Prasad), a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn after a medical mix-up leads to an accidental artificial insemination. Raised in a traditional household with her mother, Paakhi (Sonali Kulkarni) and grandmother (Apara Mehta), Roohi finds herself navigating a whirlwind of emotions, societal expectations and romantic complications.
As she processes her pregnancy, Roohi’s world becomes even more chaotic due to the people surrounding her. Her long-term boyfriend Omkar (Abhay Mahajan), an Intelligence Bureau officer, is caught up in an undercover investigation, while Samar (Aashim Gulati), the owner of the Madh Island hotel where Roohi works, unknowingly turns out to be the biological father of her child. Meanwhile, the hotel itself becomes a backdrop for a web of crime, hidden identities, and unresolved past relationships—including a rekindled romance between Paakhi and Vanraj (Jaaved Jaaferi).
The series juggles multiple storylines—family drama, romance, crime and comedy—delivering a fast-paced narrative packed with twists and turns, all while exploring the changing dynamics of love, tradition and modern womanhood.
Analysis
Oops! Ab Kya? attempts to bring the charm of Jane the Virgin into an Indian setting, blending humour, drama and chaos. The series shines in its depiction of generational conflicts, with Roohi, Paakhi, and her grandmother forming a compelling trio whose interactions provide some of the most heartfelt moments. However, the show’s biggest challenge is its pacing—by condensing a long-format telenovela into just seven episodes, it rushes through crucial plot points, often sacrificing depth for speed.
While the concept of a virgin protagonist dealing with an accidental pregnancy is intriguing, the emotional weight of Roohi’s journey feels underexplored. The story frequently shifts focus to external subplots—crime investigations, business rivalries and love triangles—sometimes at the cost of its central theme. The Madh Island hotel, though an interesting setting, becomes overused, with almost every major event unfolding within its premises.
Despite these drawbacks, the show delivers plenty of laughs and entertaining twists. Shweta Basu Prasad leads with confidence, and the ensemble cast adds charm to the storytelling. However, the hurried execution leaves viewers craving more depth, making Oops! Ab Kya? an enjoyable but uneven adaptation.
Highlights
The core strength of Oops! Ab Kya? lies in its lead performances and its fresh take on unconventional motherhood. Shweta Basu Prasad brings a natural charm and emotional depth to Roohi, portraying her confusion, resilience and wit with great ease. The show also excels in its light-hearted, self-aware humour, particularly in the way it references the original series. One notable meta moment is when a character jokes about Samar (Aashim Gulati) resembling Justin Baldoni, a clear nod to his Jane the Virgin counterpart.
Another highlight is the unexpected romance between Paakhi and Vanraj (Jaaved Jaaferi), whose past love story resurfaces after decades. Their chemistry adds a nostalgic and heartwarming touch, proving that love stories don’t always have to be limited to the younger generation. The show’s approach to breaking societal taboos, particularly around surrogacy and single motherhood, is also commendable. Instead of heavy-handed messaging, it weaves these themes naturally into the story, showing how love and support can triumph over judgment and criticism.
Drawbacks
Despite its entertaining premise, Oops! Ab Kya? struggles with pacing issues. By compressing a 22-episode telenovela season into just seven episodes, the show ends up cramming in too many plotlines, leaving some underdeveloped. The series introduces multiple subplots—drug rackets, undercover investigations, infidelity, hidden identities and even a murder mystery—within the confined space of the Madh Island hotel. While this adds layers of intrigue, it also overwhelms the central narrative, making it difficult to fully connect with Roohi’s personal journey.
Moreover, the characters’ reactions to major revelations sometimes feel oddly muted. Roohi’s unexpected pregnancy, which should have led to intense emotional conflicts, is treated with surprising nonchalance by those around her. This lack of high-stakes drama reduces the impact of what should have been pivotal moments.
Performance
Shweta Basu Prasad delivers a strong performance, balancing comedy and emotion effortlessly. Having previously taken on more intense roles, this lighthearted portrayal is a refreshing change for her. Aashim Gulati steps into the role of Samar with ease, though his character’s development feels somewhat rushed.
Sonali Kulkarni and Apara Mehta shine as Roohi’s mother and grandmother, respectively, bringing warmth and depth to their roles. Jaaved Jaaferi, in his limited screen time, adds charm to the narrative with his old-school romance. Abhay Mahajan, as Roohi’s boyfriend Omkar, has an interesting role as an Intelligence Bureau officer, but his subplot often feels like a separate storyline rather than an organic part of the main plot.
Technical Aspects
Visually, Oops! Ab Kya? maintains a vibrant, glossy appeal, capturing the charm of its beachside hotel setting. However, the overuse of a single location for almost all key events can make the show feel somewhat repetitive. The cinematography effectively complements the show’s playful and dramatic tones, while the background score helps heighten the comedic and emotional beats. One of the standout elements of Jane the Virgin was its clever use of narration and editing techniques, which added to its satirical edge. In Oops! Ab Kya?, while the transitions and exaggerated reactions attempt to recreate a similar energy, they sometimes feel overdone, making certain scenes appear more chaotic than engaging.
Verdict
Oops! Ab Kya? is a fun, breezy watch that successfully blends humor, drama, and romance but struggles to maintain a steady pace. Shweta Basu Prasad anchors the show with her compelling performance, while the supporting cast adds charm and depth. However, the series’ attempt to juggle multiple storylines in a limited timeframe leaves some moments feeling rushed and underdeveloped. While it may not capture the satirical brilliance of Jane the Virgin, it does offer an enjoyable, light-hearted take on an unconventional story. If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining binge with doses of chaos and comedy, Oops! Ab Kya? is worth a watch. Just be prepared for a whirlwind ride that packs in more than it can fully explore.
Director: Prem Mistry & Debatma Mandal
Produced by: Dice Media
Cast: Shweta Basu Prasad, Ashim Gulati, Jaaved Jaaferi, Sonali Kulkarni, Apara Mehta, Abhay Mahajan and Amy Aela
Streaming on: JioHotstar
Rating: 3/5
