BFF Series Review: A simple, light-hearted sitcom

We finally have a Telugu show that doesn’t sensationalise the use of the 'F' word or the idea of women consuming alcohol. In one of the best scenes in the new Aha series, #BFF, an official adaptation of Adulting, Nithya and Tara are joined by Nithya’s mother for a drink. Nithya’s mother, a middle-aged chemistry teacher who feels that marriage has restricted her life to an extent, feels liberated when she has alcohol for the first time. Still, this move isn’t painted as middle-age emancipation, which indicates the grounded approach the writing takes to explore themes that are often treated in extremities. This non-judgemental gaze is one of the best things about #BFF, a simple sitcom-style series consisting of five episodes with a palatable 20-25 minute runtime.

Starring: Siri Hanmanth, Ramya Pasupleti, Praneeta Patnaik

Director: Bhargav Macharla

Streaming on: Aha Video

The simplicity and lightness of #BFF facilitate easy viewing; it’s the epitome of ‘easy watch’ and is perhaps one of the most easily consumable titles in recent times. The mood is colourful and humorous, the conflicts are relatable, and the presentation is free of unwarranted drama. There isn’t a dense story either; each episode tries to address an aspect in the lives of flatmates Nithya and Tara, two working women in Hyderabad, navigating through the ‘everyday’ challenges in their life. The first episode, in fact, sets the tone and the stakes of the show perfectly. The entire episode surrounds Tara’s efforts to salvage the situation after she forgets Nithya’s birthday. Her biggest challenge: the end of the month is nearing and she doesn’t have the money. That’s it. You see, something like this could have easily fallen under the 'hate-watching' or 'cringe-watching' categories that have come to existence, thanks to Netflix, but #BFF makes it work with its characters. The show is all about the everyday-ness of the youth leading a life in an urban city. They are privileged enough to keep the roof above their head and food on their plates, but that doesn’t mean their life is free of challenges. The show is engineered to cater to the young IT crowd, a demography that consumes content on their smartphones and laptops, subscribes to multiple streaming services, relies on food delivery applications, but is forced to opt for a ‘Pay Later’ option in the last week of the month.

This relatability, despite the arguable glossiness of their lives (the flat looks pristine), makes #BFF surprisingly warm in places. Although the writing trades light-heartedness for depth, it’s a choice that makes it more watchable, eliminating forced emotions. Speaking of shoehorning, the show has numerous product placements, whose inclusion is both laughable and frustrating at times. From hair oil to dosa batter, the writers' attempts to sell these products and integrate them as naturally as possible end in silliness. Nevertheless, there’s nothing criminally wrong with the series.

When it's not selling products, the writing displays maturity. The parallels and contrast in the lives of the protagonist are neatly and thoroughly punctuated. Even when it takes on rather serious themes like gender discrimination in the workplace and career ambitions, the treatment is decidedly understated. It’s commendable that the makers never aim to milk the conflict for melodrama, despite being offered all the means on a silver platter.

BFF is not the answer to your problems—not that it tries to offer either—nor will it become your best friend, but it can be a nice companion while you have your meal alone.