Livin\’ Tamil Web Series – Episode 1 & 2 – Space Wars / Thaen Unchained Review | Kanna Ravi, Amrutha Srinivasan | Currently Globally Web Series

Seinfeld, Friends, How I met your mother. Big Bang Theory.

Fans of such light-hearted TV series from Tamilnadu have longed for such feel-good TV/Web series for entertainment and alas, so far what we have got are Saravanan Meenakshi, Vamsam, Theiva Magal or even worse, dubbed serials with silly names like Manvaasanai or Moondru Mudichu.

But, times are changing, Thanks to Youtube and streaming platforms like Netflix/Amazon Prime and we have recently got first highly promoted Web series \”As I\’m suffering from Kadhal\” which is garnering a good number of views and paving way for such innovative and fresh efforts in Tamil.
Prabhuram Vyas\’s Livin\’ (promoted by trending Madras Central) is one such effort and after seeing the first two episodes, we feel this particular web-series deserves episode-wise review and here is our review.

(Apologies for a long read as this is covers casting part too and it is for two episodes combined and mind you, spoilers ahead. )

What happened?

Sincere, passionate photographer Harish (Kanna Ravi) and Lazy couch potato Swami alias Sam (Naveen George Thomas) are close friends and roommates. Harish gets a match in Tinder after sorting Sam\’s help and the match is Haritha (Amrutha), who later becomes his girlfriend.

After a year later, Haritha and Harish decide to take their relationship to next level and move in together. This living together relationship gravely affects Sam, as he has to move out and he does the same grudgingly. At the same time, Harish faces some harsh moments of truth as Haritha is a female replica of Sam, with similar untidy habits and loads of laziness. Also, things he owned and cherished are slowly moving out of his hands as Haritha enters. With such wars for space ends episode 1.

Episode 2 begins with an irritated Harish, yelling at the untidy left-overs and we see Sam also lying on the couch. Flashback reveals, Sam staying due to persistent rain and drinking beer along with Haritha, leading to the leftovers. Haritha accompanies Harish to the beach for a pre-wedding photoshoot and Haritha\’s broadminded and at times feminist ideas wake something inside the bride \”Thaen\” and she is unchained.

What did we like?

A lot of things really. To begin with, the characterizations. A sincere organized Harish. Lazy feminist Haritha. Lazier intelligent Sam.

Then, the flow the story moves on and apt titles for the episodes like Space Wars for an episode on Sam\’s search for space and Harish\’s stolen spaces and we even get an easter-egg in form of \”Star Wars\” that Sam watches as an episode begins. Also, for the episode in which Thean, the convinced bride decides to break her invisible shackles, it is aptly titled as \”Thaen Unchained\”

Coming to the cast, Kanna Ravi as Harish is an instantly likable character and the actor plays the role exceptionally with his calm demeanor and a subtle smile. He is a typical hero material and he will grow even bigger if he is used right. He even has a scene to display his well-toned arms.

Naveen George Thomas as Sam has a stoned look and the character requires the same too. The character has a geeky side to him and Naveen\’s geeky expression during interstellar times is one fine example to display his casual acting.

And Amrutha Srinivasan as Haritha looks as if she has just landed from Delhi with no idea of what Tamil is. But, to the viewer\’s surprise, she speaks Tamil too well and the Dudemachi show fame girl acts really well too. She has a good intonation, be it English or Tamil and in her feminist avatar in pre-wedding scenes, Amrutha displays her talent in subtle sarcasm and also, a fake naivety.

Also, standup comedian, Abishek Beckham as Siddharth (Harish\’s assistant) plays his role perfectly and infuses his standup comedian emotions at times. His body language while explaining the wedding poses to Senthil and Thaen, is appreciable and admirable. Even Sheela as Thaen was great and the girl portrayed a typical girl from any Engineering college from the rural part of Tamilnadu.

Personally, usage of Ilayaraja\’s Poongathave BGM during wedding shot was a master notch by Girishh Gopalakrishnan.

To sum it up, Really, we were surprised. We have to be honest to admit that we never expected this web series to be this instantly likable and we are happy to admit we were wrong in our prejudice.

What didn\’t we like?

Nothing much to say and if we really have to dig deep, we felt the shots were a bit dull and washed out in few scenes but, maybe that was intentional to reduce a cinematic feel. However, a brighter shot would have enhanced the mood was what we felt.

Our Verdict:

An instantly likable and even relatable Tamil web series (for newlyweds and newly Livin\’ couple) with good content. A great entertainer and Prabhuram Vyas has set our expectations high for forthcoming episodes.

Our Rating: