Dil Dosti Dilemma Review: Debbie Rao’s Anushka Sen Starrer Falls Short On Depth, Rescued By Stellar Performances
Good watch!
3 / 5
Dil Dosti Dilemma, directed by Debbie Rao and led by Anushka Sen, is the newest coming-to-age series set to hit Prime Video on April 25th. The series is a 7-episode long tale that revolves around Anushka Sen’s character Asmara, a teenager who finds herself facing issues with her friendships, love, and relationships. Dil Dosti Dilemma is written by Anuradha Tiwari, Raghav Dutt, Bugs Bhargava Krishna, and Manjari Pupala. Seema Mohapatra and Jahanara Bhargava are the creative producers of the series and it’s produced by Ten Years Younger Productions. The cast includes Kush Jotwani, Elisha Mayor, Revathi Pillai, Vishakha Pandey, Tanvi Azmi, and Shishir Sharma, the series is adapted from the book ‘Asmara’s Summer,’ and offers a rollercoaster ride of emotions, focusing on love, lies, and friendship. The series does a thorough job of exploring the characters’ lives, but it tends to linger on certain parts with an occasional lack of depth.
View this post on Instagram
Plot
Dil Dosti Dilemma follows Asmara, played by Anushka Sen, whose summer plans take an unexpected twist when she ends up in her grandparents’ neighbourhood Tibbri Road in Bengaluru, pretending she’s in Canada to her friends. This pretence leads her on a journey filled with challenges, new friendships, family dynamics, first love, and self-discovery. With a talented writing team including Anuradha Tiwari, Bugs Bhargava Krishna, and Manjiri Pupala, and dialogues by Raghav Dutt, the series offers relatable coming-of-age moments in multiple languages to appeal to a wide audience. Throughout the series, Asmara forges new bonds in Tibbri Road, ends up helping a lot of people by solving their problems, and makes amends with her friends about lying to them about her situation. The overall story can seen as quite predictable but having been inspired by a book and being a coming-to-age drama it’s still a compelling watch for the fans of the genre.
View this post on Instagram
Cast
In Debbie Rao’s Dil Dosti Dilemma, Anushka Sen leads as Asmara, accompanied by her best friends Naina played by Revathi Pillai, and Tania played by Elisha Mayor. This trio embodies the essence of modern-day teenagers, effortlessly capturing the spirit of Gen Z. Each actor excels in bringing depth to their character, ensuring the series transcends beyond Asmara’s journey alone. Tanvi Azmi and Shishir Sharma shine as Asmara’s grandparents, pivotal figures in her character growth. Kush Jotwani and Vishakha Pandey portray Farzaan and Rukhsara, Asmara’s newfound friends on Tibbri Road. Kush’s chemistry with Anushka adds a captivating layer to the storyline, with Anushka delivering a commendable performance as the lead. While some moments may feel slightly exaggerated, the main cast’s collective effort elevates the series, resulting in an engaging watch.
View this post on Instagram
Storytelling, Script And Direction
With Debbie Rao at the helm, Dil Dosti Dilemma flows smoothly in terms of storytelling. The shift from Asmara’s home to her grandparents’ place on Tibbri Road is well done. There aren’t many flashy directing moves in the series, which matches its relaxed pace. While the story is delivered well, some scenes feel a bit unnecessary. The script is easy for young folks to understand, but the deeper moments are handled decently. It would’ve been nice to see more of Asmara’s relationship with her mom and other characters to give her character more depth. Saving Tibbri Road seems like a big leap for her, considering how the series ends. But it looks like there’s more in store for the series, which is something to look forward to.
View this post on Instagram
Verdict
Debbie Rao’s direction and Anushka Sen’s portrayal of Asmara effectively drive the story forward, keeping viewers engaged and relatable throughout. However, the narrative occasionally lacks depth, making it feel like a typical coming-of-age tale. Despite this, Dil Dosti Dilemma distinguishes itself with unique elements amidst its genre, offering a refreshing take on familiar themes.
View this post on Instagram
Personally, I believe delving deeper into Asmara’s relationships, especially with her mother, Naina, and Tania, would have enriched the story further. While the romantic subplot between Farzaan and Asmara, intertwined with her mother’s romantic journey, adds intrigue, a more substantial exploration of Asmara’s bond with her mother would have added depth. Some parts of the story felt drawn out.
Overall, Dil Dosti Dilemma is a worthwhile watch for those seeking a blend of love, friendship, laughter, and occasional drama. Catch it on Prime Video starting April 25.
