Weekends are the perfect time to catch up on our chores, complete to-do lists, relax, chill, and yes, binge-watching our favourite shows. This weekend we caught up with Happy Family, Conditions Apply – a Hindi language family-based comedy available on Amazon Prime. And here’s our review of it.
Happy Family, Conditions Apply may be a modern show, but it has an old-school heart that evokes nostalgia. It successfully interweaves themes and nostalgic feelings of the past with modern flavours, making it a warm and inviting watch in an otherwise neverending ocean that is OTT content.
The Premise
The Dolakia family is a large, multi-generational clan that is no stranger to drama, given the clash of perspectives among its four generations. Despite frequently finding themselves in humorous and unusual circumstances, the family’s unbreakable love and close ties remain intact, even as they constantly bicker and clash with one another. The show’s first four episodes focus on the third generation’s desire to build a separate home for themselves, away from the family’s main residence. The show does an excellent job of presenting different viewpoints without vilifying any of the characters. The conditions of contemporary society prevent hurtful comments from being passed off as jokes, which adds to the show’s authenticity.
Ratna Pathak Shah’s return to her comedic roots is an absolute treat, as is Atul Kulkarni’s excellent portrayal of the father. Raj Babbar is an endearing grandfather, and the cast’s distinct quirks and personalities blend seamlessly, making for an entertaining ensemble. Ayesha Jhulka’s comeback is a welcome sight, and her character is a personal favourite.
Our Thoughts
The show, however, seems to play it safe by testing the waters for classic-style family sitcoms in a modern age. It still manages to revive the family-friendly genre, allowing everyone to watch it without the need for awkward silences. It’s a family-friendly watch even though there are some edgy jokes. But all-in-all we felt good watching this over the weekend.
The humour in ‘Happy Family, Conditions Apply‘ is well-executed and the actors performed phenomenally. But the show seems a little limited in scope if we gauge the initial episodes. Nonetheless, the comedy persists until the end, making it a lighthearted and entertaining watch that is sure to tickle your funny bone.
While it may not reach the expectations of Aatish Kapadia and Jamnadas Majethia’s previous works, such as ‘Khichdi‘ and ‘Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai,’ ‘Happy Family, Conditions Apply‘ does have its moments. ‘Happy Family, Conditions Apply’ provides a breath of fresh air as an alternative to intense drama or action-themed series.
A Weekend Delight
In a world where binge-watching has become the norm, ‘Happy Family, Conditions Apply‘ aims to bring back the weekly dose of entertainment, and we stan. There is something about savouring episodic content rather than watching it all in a go; even though we binged it this time. We totally are going to wait and enjoy the weekends with Happy Family, Conditions Apply.
If you’re seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, we suggest investing your time in ‘Happy Family, Conditions Apply.’
The show is currently available on Prime Video, with two new episodes being released every Friday until March 31, 2023.
