Tanie and Sumer, two undergrads living in London, forego the stereotypical meet-cute and are instead introduced to each other via the most awkward situation—with Sumer pleasuring himself in the bath tub at his parent’s residence and house guest Tanie with her knickers around her ankles on the loo! Post this awkward and embarrassing interaction, you’d think these two would never want to cross paths ever again; but they manage to let bygones be bygones and get along like a house on fire.
As time transpires, they become fast friends, share secrets, comfort each other, and can easily spot when either of them is being secretive or lying. And according to those around them—such as their partners/family members who are either flustered or deeply disturbed by their openness around each other—they are even way too interested in each other’s sex lives.
Bringing a Novel Adaptation to Zee 5
After an ugly falling out (the reasons behind which are only revealed much later), the pair go their separate ways. Sumer follows his filmmaking dreams by working under a egotistical director who waxes poetic and is dependent on marijuana before his creative juices can start flowing for the day. Meanwhile, ambitious writer Tanie leads a life that she despises, using her degree for mediocre prospects at a gossip magazine. Their paths eventually collide at a party; but will old wounds be opened again, or will they go back to being best buddies once more?
“Never Kiss Your Best Friend” is adapted from the novel by the same name by Sumrit Shahi; here he pens the script along with Durjoy Dutta. Both authors have previously captured the Indian young adult market with their cheesy and formulaic romance novels.
‘Never Kiss Your Best Friend’ is a web series very in with the kids.”
Going in, I have to admit I was a tad skeptical and assumed the writing of this show would sound like something the elder crowd had penned in order to appeal to a younger audience; this can be the case with many on-screen adaptations of romance novels that either take the easy or pandering approach. There’s often little-to-no novelty; they end up too formulaic or spread themselves thin, only appealing to a young adult demographic and not many others.
Nakuul Mehta and Anya Singh in “Never Kiss Your Best Friend.” (Photo: Zee 5).
A Web Series Written with its Audience in Mind
However, with “Never Kiss Your Best Friend,” we see is a delightful web series very in with the kids. It features a generous helping of raunchiness and self-aware comedy that will also appeal to adult demographics and charming-yet-flawed characters you can’t help but fall in love with and relate to.
I particularly felt a strong personal connection towards Sumer, who struggles to follow his passion as a result of overbearing parents who look down on his dreams of film school since they consider it a waste of time and money. There are even some meta moments and tongue-in-cheek references to it being a romance novel adaptation; for added measure, it also boasts of almost everything an average Indian teen/preteen/millennial can relate to. We see pushy, high, and condescending dads to a mum who treats you like a trophy around her friends/neighborhood aunties, unfaithful partners, and even Tinder dates who carry their work around with them. It even manages to touch upon drug addiction among the youth.
The non-linear storytelling does a great job in keeping viewers engrossed…”
From the start, you can sense this is an adaptation of a romance novel due to the dialogue, which occasionally veers into cliché. But what clicked most for me is it manages to subvert and address its clichés via clever fourth wall breaks and delightful sarcasm reminiscent of shows such as “Fleabag” or “Peep Show.” Even if leads Tanie and Sumer initially come across as tropes, they are also the most layered and humanised tropes you’ll ever find.
Anya Singh in “Never Kiss Your Best Friend.” (Photo: Zee 5).
‘Never Kiss Your Best Friend’ is Helped by its Storytelling Approach
The non-linear storytelling does a great job in keeping viewers engrossed; and at a running time of only 23 minutes per episode, one is never bored by the characters’ shenanigans, their navigations around their respective love lives, their emotional outbursts, their over-sharing, their work-related or personal problems, etc., all of which they overcome as a pair. The show also never lets its ‘will-they-won’t-they’ subplot overshadow the overall message it tries to convey. Friends will always be there for you, come rain or shine.
Nakuul Mehta is a winner in my books as the free-spirited and charming lothario Sumer.”
The charm of “Never Kiss Your Best Friend” also lies in the fact that its lead characters feel lived in. Let’s face it, we’ve all known a Tanie or Sumer in our adult lives, or while we were growing up. I know I’ve certainly known someone as lustful and amusingly gross as Sumer in my adolescence, although he wasn’t as handsome as Nakuul Mehta (I certainly hope he doesn’t read this!). The situations too might veer towards unrealistic at times due to the escapist nature of the writing (let’s not forget this is an adaptation of a sappy romance novel); however, it never goes overboard and still feels at least partially relatable to viewers and it definitely doesn’t lack depth.
Nakuul Mehta and Anya Singh Shine
Nakuul Mehta is a winner in my books as the free-spirited and charming lothario Sumer. His character is layered. He enjoys occasional manicures, is prone to bouts of feminism, and shares an estranged relationship with his dad. While this causes him to become emotionally repressive when he’s older, he does everything he can to ensure Tanie’s happiness. He keeps her company with his gross humour, uses his chivalrous and protective attitude whenever she’s flipped off by a player during soccer practice, and his ability to cheer her up instantly with his breakup playlists and his shoulder ready for her to cry on is spot on (with Tanie also reciprocating this favour when Sumer is in need of some solace). The actor is especially convincing in portraying his character’s mental breakdowns as the series progresses; we discover a more rebellious and aggressive side to the usually jovial Sumer.
Anya Singh and Nakuul Mehta in “Never Kiss Your Best Friend.” (Photo: Zee 5).
A Wonderful Viewing Experience if you Just Go With the Flow
Anya Singh has an endearing screen presence as the chirpy and virginal Tanie; she helps you warm up to her character easily. She shares a brilliant on-screen chemistry with Mehta that is yet another reason to watch the show. Both of them also showcase a stellar comic timing, which is especially on display in the aggressive and angsty pasta eating scene which had me wheezing. The soundtrack by Yash Narvenkar is a bonus; I don’t think I will ever get that title track out of my head as much as I try. Tracks such as “Dil ko Tujhpe Pyaar Hai” and “Jee Na Paunga” are beautifully incorporated into the narrative as well. The editing adds much of the humour of the show; it’s fitting, while never interrupting the series’ flow that shifts between the pair’s past and their bittersweet present-day reunion.
I promise you that once you learn to embrace its cheesiness and go with the flow, you’ll automatically not want to stop at just one episode. Overall, “Never Kiss Your Best Friend” is an experience all should enjoy, and many relate to.
“Never Kiss Your Best Friend” is available to watch on Zee 5 in India. We could not find any streaming options in the US/UK.
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