Single Papa Review: Kunal Khemu is in crackling form in this total riotous comedy

Single Papa Review: Kunal Khemu is in crackling form in this total riotous comedy

‘Single Papa’ - Kunal Khemu is in crackling form in this total riotous comedy that dares and breaks gender stereotypes on parenting.

Life has never been fair to Gaurav Gehlot aka GG ( played by Kunal Khemu). He gets divorce from his wife, Aparna (played by Isha Talwar) over disagreement of having kids. When he decides to adopt an abandoned baby discovered in his backseat in a carton branded 'Amul', chaos and confusion ensue in his crazy Jat family.

The biggest hurdle comes in the form of the sardonic,  Mrs.Nehra ( Neha Dhupia, pure Auntyacid!) who runs an orphanage and scathingly ensures that the man-child GG doesn't succeed in adopting Amul - the baby through her dirty and unsolicited scrutiny. Next in line come his disapproving parents - played by Manoj Pahwa (Senior Gehlot, running Badnaam Wines alcohol mart) and Ayesha Raza Mishra.

With little but consistent support from his sis, Namrata ( Prajakta Koli, effervescent) and best-buddy (Suhail Nayyar, consistently dependable), GG dares to fight for his new found soul mate-cum-son, Amul, and embrace single fatherhood with pride and authority.

Shashank Khaitan has an unmistakable flair for dramedy. He creates conflicts in his world in the most cheerful way that benefits enormously from well-written characters by Ishita Moitra and Neeraj Udhwani, cheeky one-liners and smart dialogues soaked with hilarity.

The observations around the boisterous Gehlot parivaar and the neighborhood are spot-on, resonating with the Gurgaon culture and dialect. Khaitaan and co-director Hitesh Kewalya create a healthy paradox by juxtaposing the ego aspects, dysfunctional nature and the bonding in the family.

But the ace stroke comes in the form of breaking gender stereotypes on single parenting. It raises on pertinent voice on equanimity, equality and discrimination in men vs women. GG's hands-on chores with the cuteness-personified infant is outlined with humor, heart and a lot of hilarity that boldens the show's core messaging.

A placement like the Manny (a male nanny) Parvat Singh, played by Dayanand Shetty works in its favour. Shetty's unassuming personality and the part adds to its many strengths, apart from its ever-reliable protagonist played by Kunal Khemu.

But the show drags towards the end when it settles for a very contrived, convenient and melodramatic ending. Although veteran Manoj Pahwa and Ayesha Raza shine in their respective parts, a fine actor like Suhail Bayyar is underutilized - a glaring crack in steering an ensemble effectively.

 

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