Taaza Khabar season 2 review: Bhuvan Bam’s ‘Vardaan’ works wonders in this ambitious, slightly melodramatic season

Taaza Khabar 2: Performances

The entire cast of Taaza Khabar, including the supporter characters, are at the top of their game. Alisha Naik as Bhuvan’s Aai is simple yet effective as the seemingly gullible, unintentionally hilarious mother figure.

She feels serving chai to Yusuf’s men will make them have a change of heart, much to the dismay Vasya’s father (Vijay Nikam) who seems like he is one step away from a mental breakdown (he ends up in the hospital after he overexerts himself). Besides Vasya’s parents, Peter (played by the phenomenal Prathmesh Parab) brings comic relief as Vasya’s partner-in-crime.

Deven Bhojani is the grief-stricken father trying to pay for his daughter Shazia’s education abroad. He brings a vulnerability to the role that isnt rooted in self-pity but a strong resolve to get out of the difficult situation he finds himself in.

Taaza Khabar 2: Writing and Direction

Madhu (Shriya Pilgaonkar) now works at a factory where she operates a sewing machine. She is (rightfully) pissed at Vasya over his disappearance (and then sudden emergence). Her roommate is going through a difficult time—but Madhu’s lengthy monologues detailing her condition fall flat entirely.

After a while, these lengthy descriptions of pain don’t evoke an emotion of empathy. Why, you ask? Because Taaza Khabar uses poverty porn to bring its viewers to tears. Yes, the poor and the marginalized must tell their stories of oppression. But the treatment of poverty in Taaza Khabar is more sympathetic than empathetic.

Surely there can be better ways of showing middle class family struggles and life’s many tribulations instead of going for a “look, poor people, this is so sad” approach. The treatment of poverty continues to be Taaza Khabar’s biggest flaw in a series which otherwise gets mostly everything right.

Taaza Khabar 2: What Works, What Doesn’t

The first season of Taaza Khabar got brickbats for its portrayal of caste. This season, the show portrays poverty through a melodramatic lens. The show’s sentimental moments work best when they are devoid of melodrama and overly sentimental background music.

Despite Javed Jafferi’s best efforts, for some reason, Yusuf doesn’t really convince you as a menacing antagonist. The constant flashbacks and back-and-forth in terms of timeline often play spoilsport. Despite some of its flaws, Taaza Khabar is still very taaza (read: a breath of fresh air).

The cast, writing and performances are convincing. Yet again, Bhuvan Bam impresses as Vasya. The character is heroic, yet ordinary. Despite some of its flaws, Taaza Khabar is very taaza (read: A breath of fresh air). Among the many OTT shows that can barely justify their 8 episode run, Taaza Khabar season 2 is is surely worth your time.

Star rating: 3 / 5 stars

Taaza Khabar is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.