Title: Bada Naam Karenge
Director: Palash Vaswani
Cast: Ritik Ghanshani, Ayesha Kaduskar, Kanwaljeet Singh, Alka Amin, Rajesh Jais, Chitrali Lokesh, Deepika Amin,
Where: SonyLiv
Rating: 3 Stars
This series is a nostalgic Rajshri Productions drama that blends modern dilemmas with traditional warmth. The first few episodes are narrated through two timelines—COVID-era 2020 and the present—it explores blossoming of a relationship amid lockdown constraints and the destined awkward situation. While it aims to bridge generational divides and refresh family values, it remains rooted in the familiar tropes of its legacy.
At its heart, the series is a love story. Rishabh (Ritik Ghanshani), the scion of the affluent mithai business -Shree Ganga Mishtan Bandar, from Ratlam, and Surbhi (Ayesha Kaduskar), a middle-class microbiology student from Indore, form the epicenter of this saga. Their romance begins clandestinely in Mumbai during the lockdown—a premise brimming with potential for drama and intimacy—but fate, along with some contrived coincidences, reunites them in a traditional arranged marriage scenario. It is love layered with longing and wrapped in the gauze of familial expectations.
What stands out is the show’s refusal to reduce its narrative to a battle of class divides. Instead, it zeroes in on a more universal conflict: the ethical tug-of-war between individual desires and family values. Rishabh’s father, embodying Rajshri’s moral compass, delivers the series’ mantra early on: “Do whatever you want, but never lie to your family.” This line reverberates throughout the story, acting as a compass and a constraint for the characters.
The performances of the lead pair are the show’s biggest strength. Ritik Ghanshani brings an endearing mix of naivety and determination to Rishabh, while Ayesha Kaduskar’s Surbhi oscillates between vulnerability and quiet strength. Their chemistry is palpable, their journey relatable, even if the dialogues occasionally veer into overly earnest territory. When Rishabh pleads with Surbhi, “Hum woh nahin hain jo hamari family samajhtey hain, hum ban jayenge na,” it’s both a declaration of love and an assurance of compromise—classic Rajshri romanticism, repackaged for Gen Z.
The supporting cast, however, feels like an overstuffed mithai box—too many flavours, not all of them memorable. While Kanwaljeet Singh and Alka Amin bring gravitas as the family elders, others, like Rajesh Tailang’s brooding uncle, fall into predictable archetypes. The large family gatherings, complete with a dance at the engagement ceremony and lingering glances, evoke nostalgia but occasionally overwhelm the narrative with their sheer volume.
The series falters in its technical execution. The dual timelines, while conceptually intriguing, are poorly stitched together. The fifth episode, Kaafi Hai Na, is particularly chaotic, with edits that confuse rather than clarify the shifts in time. The background score, peppered with familiar Rajshri melodies, enhances the nostalgic appeal, evoking warmth and sentimentality even when the storytelling stumbles.
Ultimately, the series is a mixed bag, but not before its final episode, Ratlam Junction. With a runtime of over 82 minutes, it anchors the narrative by reiterating everything Rajshri loyalists hold dear—family, love, tradition, and a dash of melodrama. For fans of the banner, it’s a comforting reminder of its signature charm, while for others, it might feel like a dated relic, albeit one with a few endearing moments.