Hai Junoon review: When ‘breaking stereotypes’ becomes the biggest cliché

Hai Junoon story:

The series delves deeply into the electrifying realm of musical and dance fights, taking place in the lively and competitive halls of Anderson's College in Mumbai. The underdog Sebi (Sumedh Mudgalkar) teams up with the rebellious Misfits, led by Jacqueline Fernandes, to challenge the elite Supersonics, whose leader Gagan Ahuja (Neil Nitin Mukesh) is legacy-driven. The showdown between these two titans will challenge the boundaries of honour, individuality, and ambition.

Hai Junoon review:

Around 12 years ago, Remo D'Souza released a 3D dance-based film titled ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, which was new to watch, even if it wasn't the best. However, we witnessed a group of talented dancers, whom we recognised from a reality show, come together to demonstrate that underdogs can achieve anything. Since then, we have seen various shows and films featuring underdog stories set against the backdrop of tough competitions, where one participant ultimately emerges as the winner. Like Shah Rukh Khan says in Om Shanti Om, "Happys Endings"!

But to wait 20 episodes for us to know, with every moment trying unsuccessfully to express as well as impress, it has been a struggle of four days. Yes, Hai Junoon is 20 episodes long, like the earlier golden days of television, but there isn't anything glittering about it, even though this is a format that has been amiss. We often indulge in binge-watching 20-episode sitcoms or drama series as a way to escape boredom, but "Hai Junoon" is designed to engross you to such an extent that you may not make it to the end. I did again, thanks to occupational hazards, but the show seriously screams, "Save yourself!" 

When we want to see a show about someone's passion, it's the passion-driven motive of the makers that makes it watchable. But here, since the beginning, we see that the passion is so forced among the so-called "Supersonics"—the singing band—and "The Misfits", the underdog dancing band. They try so hard to bring inclusivity amid the vast division of talents. However, "Hai Junoon" incorporates all the typical elements required for a show to be deemed "hatke".

In an attempt to break stereotypes, the creators fill the show with clichés while claiming to make it different. The show features an openly gay character who refuses to let his sexuality define him, as well as a character who remains in the closet. There's a visually impaired dancer who is carefree and dances better than people who can easily be trained because of "passion", whereas his best friend is battling depression and body image issues, and she gets insulted for the same thing due to a lack of understanding. We have a financially disadvantaged girl who conceals her situation by wearing fashionable clothes, while another girl has a father who is a sexual predator. There are many more tropes added, too.

Then we have two coaches, one who has anger management issues and can break the bottle on someone's head and also break the glass of a car. Meanwhile, the other coach is obsessed with maintaining perfection, to the point where he loses perspective and reduces everyone to mere puppets.

Yes, all of this is contained within a single show, with the ultimate goal appearing to be reaching 20 episodes.

While watching the series, I found it increasingly easy to distract myself from what was happening, and all I could think was, 'Where are we going with this content?' How has taking viewers for granted become so easy day by day? It's been more than five years since the OTT space has been created in India. But only a few shows made the must-watch list. More than that, most of them don't even have a recall value. 

In terms of the story, we have nothing new to offer, yet it is marketed as something new every time. How? How do you see this as new and able to gauge viewers' attention, even on a script level? 

Yes, this series does extend its entertainment value through music and dance. We witness them sing and dance in various locations simultaneously, showcasing their unique interpretations of popular Bollywood songs. While music and dance can effectively engage an audience, relying solely on them to solve each character's issues can seem superficial.

Directed by Abhishek Sharma, there's not a single actor who stands out, even though everyone has been given an individual arc getting intertwined with each other. If the goal is to remind us that everyone is unique and successful, it has been lost in translation, as we can't keep track of all the achievers. 

The series has songs by Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, and Sonu Nigam – literally, the who's who. However, it is very difficult to keep up with the songs because they resemble High School Musical; the characters communicate with each other through song. Those days when Indian cinema was primarily defined by musicals are long gone; even this current attempt at a musical fails miserably. To be honest, it didn't even feel like the attempts at intensity were significant, as they continued to be displayed throughout the show.

The actors showcase their dancing prowess, which is a treat to watch; however, everything soon feels repetitive, and there is a constant reminder of the ABCD franchise. 

Hai Junoon passionately reminds you that not every meaty content warrants even a minute of your time. However, once you immerse yourself in the experience, you may forget that the passion for movies comes with a price in today's world.

Hai Junoon verdict:

Hai Junoon attempts to embrace a unique rhythm, yet ultimately treads on its own boundaries. While it claims to be a symphony of passion and inclusivity, it often feels like noise in search of a melody. Despite some foot-tapping numbers, the show hits more sour notes than high ones. This junoon fizzles out long before the final bow.