Love, Labour & A Little Too Much Loan

Love Under Construction Is A Relatable, Cheerful Exploration Of Love & Life

The show's narrative lightheartedly explores themes of rampant bribery, labour exploitation, family pressures, and the crippling burden of bank loans, revealing how these fracture relationships, writes Neelima Menon .

A FEW MINUTES into Vishnu G Raghav’s directorial web series (6 episodes), you get a hint of the narrative’s trajectory. Vinod (Neeraj Madhav), a Dubai-based professional is invested in building a dream home for his parents, driven by the memories of being evicted from their home when he was a kid. So much so that he agrees to all his parents' demands without even bothering about the budget, it also sets the stage for impending setbacks. So when his romance with Gauri blossoms (their courtship is charmingly captured), we are already anticipating the challenges ahead, including Vinod’s impending job loss. Largely set in a small town in Kerala, the Vinod-Gauri romance is more of a catalyst to explore the intricacies of a world grappling with both living and non-living issues.

Even in his debut feature Vaashi , a courtroom drama, Raghav’s attention to detail and commitment to authenticity was evident, especially during the courtroom proceedings. And despite the questionable take on gender politics, the character dynamics were nuanced and relatable. Similarly, in Love Under Construction his unfussy and familiar execution is elevated by well-paced storytelling. Again Vishnu effectively incorporates social media conversations and trends to smartly weave in conflict and humour, thereby striking a balance that maintains the narrative’s impact.

Stream the latest Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada releases, with OTTplay Premium's Simply South monthly pack, for only Rs 249.

Vinod’s characterisation can be construed as a modern nod to Mohanlal’s Sethu in Mithunam . That sensitive, earnest, and well-mannered young man who is torn between familial emotions and practical realities. There is nothing remotely heroic about Vinod. He is simply driven by a desire to keep everyone happy, armed with nothing but his unwavering niceness (an extremely effective and charming Neeraj Madhav). So in many ways, Gauri (a superbly nuanced Gauri G Kishan whose dialogue rendition is spot-on) unlike Mithunam’s Sulochana who is made to feel apologetic for seeking basic respect serves as a cathartic redemption. She is independent, forthright, pragmatic, and has developed a keen sense of self-preservation, having lived under her toxic father’s influence. Their relationship arc is delicately crafted, capturing simmering conflicts, stolen moments, and expectant outbursts. Even when the inevitable confrontations arise, they are convincingly built up, keeping us emotionally invested in their journey.

Two pivotal scenes stand out: Gauri’s confrontation with her father is a finely written passage that subtly weaves together their complicated past and her remarkable personal growth. And her outburst with Vinod, that not just showcases her vulnerability but also her strength and resilience.

As if to counterbalance Vinod’s modernity, we have his cousin Pappan (superb Aju Varghese who gives fine understated reaction shots), emerging as a foil, who openly embodies misogynistic views. He lives with his gossipy and regressive mother, is tired of meeting would-be suitors and judges women based on their clothes. However, it’s equally predictable that Pappan will eventually undergo a transformative journey, with a woman catalysing his growth and self-awareness. The woman, Lissy (Ann Jameela Saleem) is a govt clerk who initially has a bone to pick with him owing to his family’s rejection of her friend. What could have ended as a caricatured, pseudo-feminist archetype gains depth and nuance through Saleem’s performance, thereby transcending the written script.

Meanwhile, Vinod and Gauri’s parents embody the quintessential yet limiting parental archetypes—rigidly adhering to outdated gender roles and struggling to accept the inevitability of change. Gauri’s father, in particular, feels somewhat one-dimensional, maybe the actor’s portrayal also contributed to this lack of depth. However, the film’s humorous take on societal misogyny and hypocrisy often falls flat losing momentum and impact.

Another interesting prospect was Anand Manmadhan playing contractor Jiji—teetering between humour and survival. Although some of the jokes didn’t quite land.

As the narrative delves into the lives of its struggling characters, Love Under Construction subtly takes us through the horrors of building homes. What initially seems to be the blueprint for a cosy, dream home gradually unravels into a complex web of monetary, societal, labour, and emotional issues. The narrative lightheartedly explores themes of rampant bribery, labour exploitation, family pressures, and the crippling burden of bank loans, revealing how these fracture relationships.

Love Under Construction is relatable, engaging, and sensitively acknowledges the complexities of navigating love and life. And a special mention to that satisfying finale.

Love Under Construction is currently streaming on JioHotstar.

Like what you read? Get more of what you like. Visit the OTTplay website , or download the app to stay up-to-date with news, recommendations and special offers on streaming content.

Plus: always get the latest reviews. Sign up for our newsletters. Already a subscriber? Forward this email to a friend, or use the share buttons below.

OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS

This weekly newsletter compiles a list of the latest (and most important) reviews from OTTplay so you can figure what to watch or ditch over the weekend ahead.

Each week, our editors pick one long-form, writerly piece that they think it worthy of your attention, and dice it into easily digestible bits for you to mull over.

In which we invite a scholar of cinema, devotee of the moving image, to write a prose poem dedicated to their poison of choice. Expect to spend an
hour on this.