Home Town Story

Prasad (Rajiv Kanakala) operates a photography studio in Hanmanthula Gudem, a village located in Telangana. He lives a middle-class lifestyle, with the primary goal of sending his son, Srikanth (Prajwal Yadma), overseas for higher education, believing it will pave the way for his successful future. Unfortunately, Srikanth has consistently struggled academically throughout his schooling and college years. In stark contrast, his younger sister, Jyoti (Yani), performs exceptionally well in her studies. Compounding the situation, Srikanth does not manage to obtain his B.Tech degree. Will Prasad's aspiration of sending him abroad be realized, or will unforeseen circumstances alter their plans? To discover the outcome, watch the five-episode series available on Aha and OTTplay Premium.

Home Town Review

Home Town, directed by Srikanth Reddy for Aha, presents a straightforward feel-good drama centered around a coming-of-age narrative. While such stories often aim for a singular objective and follow predictable paths, their uniqueness lies in the screenplay and execution. In this instance, although the setup and presentation of Home Town are commendable, the predictability and conventional elements detract from the overall experience.

The creators have clearly sought to capture the essence of the beloved web series #90s by replicating familiar family dynamics, albeit with a different central conflict. Nevertheless, the scenarios, challenges, and emotional undertones remain largely unchanged. Consequently, fans of #90s may perceive Home Town as a familiar experience, featuring new characters and an altered backdrop. On a positive note, the casting of Rajeev Kanakala and Jhansi is exemplary; they inhabit their roles convincingly and add significant depth to the narrative.

The series does offer some charming moments, especially in its depiction of youth. It effectively illustrates how young individuals in rural areas were influenced by social media and the advent of new technology in 2003. Several humorous references to cricket and the Swathi magazine resonate well, and the director adeptly emphasizes the minor conflicts between parents stemming from their differing viewpoints.

One of the major strengths of the show is how it portrays parents imposing their desires on their children without considering their feelings. Some emotional scenes toward the end, involving the sister and her role in the family's priorities, are well handled.

However, all of this comes at the cost of predictability. The college comedy, youthful jokes, and Facebook-related scenes are stretched excessively in the fourth episode, leading to boredom. In terms of performances, Rajeev Kanakala delivers a sincere act and excels as a devoted father. His character has slight negative shades, requiring an actor who can balance emotions well, and Rajeev does so skillfully.

 Jhansi plays the typical supportive mother and is good in her role, but she truly shines in the emotional moments. Prajwal Yajma is just about okay, and his casting for such a key role feels questionable. Though he struggles to emote initially, he improves as the series progresses. The actors playing his friends are passable, while the rest of the cast delivers decent performances without anything particularly noteworthy.

Suresh Bobbili's background score is satisfactory, and the cinematography successfully evokes the past through its rustic visuals, which enhance the overall experience. The editing is competent, ensuring that the five-episode series remains succinct, with each episode lasting under 30 minutes. The dialogues are noteworthy, and the production design is skillfully crafted.

In summary, Home Town presents a conventional storyline that would have gained from additional humor and originality. Unfortunately, it tends to fit into the "been there, done that" mold, as many scenes elicit a sense of déjà vu rather than providing anything innovative or thrilling.

Home Town Verdict

On the whole, Home Town is yet another coming-of-age drama that is predictable and has a routine presentation. While a few jokes and emotions click, the rest of series has nothing new to offer.