Creator and director Mallik Ram does a fine job in exploring the importance of sex education with a mix of humor and sensitivity. The characterization of Sundeep Kishan’s Subbu from a insecure young man to finding courage is a major strength of the show. The series also throws light on so called cultural beliefs dictating gender roles. Mithila Palkar as an aspiring actress is also wonderful giving solid support to Sundeep, she particularly shines in an audition sequence.
Starcast: Sundeep Kishan, Murali Sharma, Mithila Palkar, Getup Srinu, Jeevan Kumar, Sampoornesh Babu etc
Genre: Dramedy
Creator and director: Mallik Ram
Writers: Ramesh Eligeti and Shivani Dhobal
Producers: Rajiv Chilaka and Bharath Laxmipati
Production house: Chilika Productions
Cinematography: A J Aaron
Music: Anudeep Dev
No of episodes: 7
Streaming site: Netflix
Humor as a genre is a very potent tool for exploring certain so-called taboo topics. Super Subbu streaming on Netflix is a solid example of this. The series blends social message with chuckle worthy moments. This is a tricky balance to achieve, but Maliik Ram along with the writers do a fine job for most of the duration. Sure, there are certain subplots which needed better writing, the romantic thread between Sundeep Kishan and the fiancé played by a charming Manasa Choudhary is severely undercooked. Having said that Super Subbu is very much worth binging for the performances and its social undertones.
The story of SS follows the journey of Subramanyam Chilukuri akka Subbu (A solid Sundeep Kishan). He is posted to a remote Telangana village called Makhipur. Subbu ha a precarious task of educating villagers on matters related to sex. Running parallel to this is Subbu’s troubled equation with Murali Sharma’s Kukkuteswar Rao. Kukkuteswar Rao is an authoritarian father cum teacher. He has a very dismissive towards sex education. In his own words its “pure unadulterated nonsense”. Subbu has a hard time in keeping the nature of his job a secret. How Subbu eventually finds acceptance among the villagers as well as his coming of age forms the core of Super Subbu.
The texture of Super Subbu bears a striking resemblance to both Vicky Donar as well as the Panchayat web series. Much like the latter here too the protagonist comes under the category of a reluctant hero. A young man forced to do something which he doesn’t like but eventually finds a sense of belonginess. The humor too has shades of Vicky Donar, still SS is very much its own beast, and this majorly comes from the village of Makhipur.
Mithila Palkar’s Swathi makes a key difference. Her dynamics with Sundeep Kishan and their blossoming love story gives the show some of its best moments. Mithila aces the Telangana dialect coming up with a solid act. Two scenes deserve a specific mention. One is an audition portion where she is enacting a dramatic moment, the other one is Swathi questioning her father’s patriarchal attitude in a poignant emotional sequence. In both these sequences Mithila is first rate. She also shares a nice chemistry with Sundeep.
However, the shows’ beating heart is the characterization of Subbu and the social issues woven around it. Maliik Ram and the writers have done a fantastic job in tackling themes not often seen in mainstream cinema. Through the journey of Subbu the makers have dwelt into protected sex, family planning, menstrual health and a woman’s wellbeing, all these have been seamlessly integrated making the series thoroughly engaging.
A pop culture reference to Pawan Kalyan’s Vaakel Sab with a no means no has also been excellently used. It becomes a tool of mini revolt for the village women when they don’t want to engage in sex with their husbands. An underlining theme of consent being important has come out well
The characterization of Subbu as already said is a major plus, Subbu is someone who starts off as an indifferent educator. He just wants to make an exit out of Makhipur as soon as possible. But as Subbu witnesses the challenges faced by these women especially in the matters of intimacy and childbirth he genuinely starts to care. Sundeep is first rate in capturing this transformation. The actor also does a fine job in capturing the insecurities of a son living under the shadows of an overbearing father.
Murali Sharma as the terrifying father figure brings in both authority and humor in equal measures. He particularly shines in the scenes of showcasing Kukkuteswar Rao’s discomfort with the topic of sex. Among the rest Getup Srinu as Subbu’s subordinate and ally makes a significant impact with his comic timing. Jeevan Kumar in the role of a principal antagonist brings in an intimidating presence.
AJ Aaron captures both the earthiness and the vibrancy of Makhipur in a solid manner. Anudeep Dev’s music on the other hand compliments the journey of Subbu well.
Final word: Super Subbu is indeed a job very well done. For fans of rural dramedies this show is very much worth binging on.