Mahi V Raghav and Pradeep Adhvaitham's Save The Tiger is a fun ride with well-written characters in my opinion. The show is on the lines of F2 and Kshemanga Velli Labhamga Randi, dealing with frustrated husbands but it's not cringy like F2 and it isn't demonizing women and trying to show multiple perspectives.
The show tells the story of three characters: Ghanta Ravi (Priyadarshi), Rahul (Abhinav Gomatham), and Vikram (Krishna Chaitanya). It revolves around how they are husbands who are inspired by events around them and displays the conflicts, insecurities, and lovable moments in their marriages.
The three are leading different lives. Ghanta Ravi is doing a buffalo milk business and he acts as such but his wife is worried how his language and actions will influence his kids, while his daughter is ashamed of her father. Rahul is on sabattical and just is at home, while his wife is a doctor, and he is suspecting her and a work friend. Vikram is a patient, shy guy working at an ad agency, married to a lawyer/activist and is dealing with the inequality in their marriage.
The relationships are all interesting. I liked Ghanta Ravi's story and relationship, with his daughter feeling insecure due to her father and telling friends her father is a worker at their business. The arc is ended nicely by the end of the first season. His relationship with his wife is very nicely portrayed as well. Vikram had a very interesting relationship, which worked for me, but i don't know how everyone will appreciate this. I personally found his wife annoying which was what the show was going for as well in a way, but at the same time it tries to show her side but we can tell that she is a woke activist who is neglecting her family and making a big deal. But I liked how they showed her side without demonizing her like many movies do. Rahul has a different thing where they both love each other, but misunderstandings and disputes form due to small things and him suspecting his wife. But it's a more cute and light story among the three, and I really liked how well they balanced the two. And if we had to pick, Rahul is the one shown as the guy who messed up in this story.
There is no outright one person is wrong in these marriages is what the movie conveys to a degree. I say to a degree because in Vikram's relationship it does seem that he is in the right and his wife is in the wrong by not spending time or being as invested, but at the same time the makers do point out the mistakes he makes in making her feel lonely in their marriage. So there is give and take and both sides are shown in all relationships which is a very nice touch.
The acting was good, Priyadarshi kills it as he usually does. Abhinav and his wife are really good. Krishna Chaitanya and wife do a fine act, I found the housekeeper in Abhinav's home quite funny as well. Harshavardhan as usual was a delight but I wish he got more screen time, i hope he does in future seasons. There weren't any weak moments in acting except here and there.
The comedy in the series worked well for me. It looks like it could be a fun entertaining series with some heartwarming elements. It will be a good relationship comedy, and it has good writing like some popular sit coms. I found the characters quite easy to connect with, I was hooked by mid-way through ep 2.
The production values are good and the editing is good. I watched one telugu web series before, Aha Naa Pellanta, and that series felt like a movie cut into a series due to length. But this felt like a natural series and it was entertaining with cliff hangers and all keeping you hooked. The music and all were good.
I definitely found the cliffhanger really interesting and there is a lot to look forward to in regard to not just how their relationships progress and are healed. But also how the events in the cliff hanger will affect proceedings in coming seasons. This is definitely a series which I will be on the look out for and am excited for the next season. I started this like just time pass while working but ended up being hooked and finished it in a couple of hours and was sad there was no more.
Overall, I recommend this show to any comedy series lovers. You are in for a decent laugh at the least. With more seasons I hope it gets better.
