Dil Se Episode 1,2 review: Raja Vikram confronts urban realities, corporate blues

ETV Win, the OTT platform of the Eenadu group, is back in the news for its new Telugu web show titled Dil Se, whose new episodes will land on the platform on Tuesday and Friday every week. Written and directed by Bharath Naren and produced by Sridhar Marisa under Sri Akkiyan Arts, the series stars Raja Vikram, Varsha, Bhargav, Rohini Rao, Rahul Varma, Ramana Bhargava and VV Krishna.

Also read: Dil Se teaser: ETV Win’s OTT show centres on a small-town boy’s brush with city life 

The first two episodes of Dil Se, spanning 25 minutes each, were dropped today. Dil Se’s premise is quite simple and familiar, dealing with a Visakhapatnam boy’s tryst with life in a metropolis and corporate work culture. Harsha is introduced as a do-gooder from a middle-class family, who is a responsible son, cautions his parents to take care of their health as leaves for his first job in Hyderabad.

Harsha finds a roommate with over three years work experience in TCS (only to realise that latter works in a Youtube channel titled The Cinema Show). He faces trouble with cab drivers in his very first trip and familiarises with his flat mate later, offers him savouries prepared by his mother. Harsha’s life takes a drastic turn after landing at his workplace and the show depicts his anxiety authentically.

His troubles begin when he tries to give it back to a foodie of a superior - Srinivas Avasarala - and the latter constantly finds a way to trouble him. Harsha has some company on the second day - Varsha, a mask-wearing new joinee and their ice-breaking session doesn’t go as planned. The second episode ends when she discovers her hack to impress her superior. Where’s the tale headed?

If there’s something that works for both the episodes, it’s the vibrant screen presence of Raja Vikram and the director Bharath Naren’s attempt to address mundane issues faced by youngsters alien to a big city ambience. Not all the scenarios/conflicts are funny or elicit laughter. The characterisation of the superior at work and the flat-mate is awkward and the writing could be better.

Raman Bhargav’s performance appears slightly exaggerated while Bhargav as Harsha’s colleague is just about okay. Given the lightweight theme and provided a viewer watches it with minimal expectations, Dil Se may help one to kill time. One hopes the story picks up steam in the coming episodes.

(Dil Se is now streaming on ETV Win) 

Also read: Dil Se OTT release date: When and where to watch Raja Vikram, Varshaa’s Telugu show