Latest news with #HaiJunoon:Dream
NDTV
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Hai Junoon Review: A Symphony Of Flaws Wrapped In Bollywood Beats
New Delhi: In a world where every college drama promises a fresh beat, Hai Junoon: Dream, Dare, Dominate attempts to dance to its own rhythm but ends up stepping on its own toes. Set in the vibrant and fiercely competitive environment of Mumbai's Andersons College, the series throws viewers into the midst of an ongoing rivalry between two student groups: the elite music band Supersonics and the rebellious dance crew Misfits. On paper, the premise feels ripe with potential - passion, rivalry, youthful angst, and the classic underdog story all blended with Bollywood-style musical flair. Unfortunately, this ambitious concoction struggles to hit the right notes and often feels like a cacophony of overused tropes and forced drama. The storyline orbits around Gagan Ahuja (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a former musical prodigy and celebrated alumnus who returns from a decade-long hiatus in Los Angeles to mentor the Supersonics for the college's 50th Founder's Day celebration. Opposing them are the Misfits, a group of passionate and untamed dancers led by Sebi (Sumedh Mudgalkar) and mentored by Pearl Saldhana (Jacqueline Fernandez). The narrative attempts to explore the classic clash of legacy versus rebellion, perfection versus raw talent and the universal search for identity and belonging. While the emotional core promises a meaningful exploration of ambition and self-discovery, the execution often falls flat, buried under a mountain of cliches and predictable conflicts. The writing suffers from an overambitious attempt to juggle numerous social themes, including sexuality, mental health, financial hardship and trauma, all crammed into a 20-episode arc. Instead of nuanced portrayals, these storylines often come across as tokenistic and superficial, detracting rather than adding depth. Characters exist more as checkboxes for inclusivity than as fully fleshed-out individuals. The romance subplots feel obligatory rather than heartfelt, lacking any real chemistry or organic development. Meanwhile, the direction struggles to maintain coherence, leading to a disjointed narrative that frequently veers off course, making it hard for viewers to stay engaged or invested. Neil Nitin Mukesh delivers a restrained and layered performance as Gagan, bringing some emotional gravitas to an otherwise underwritten character. Sumedh Mudgalkar's portrayal of Sebi offers the most genuine spark, grounding the show's energy with his earnest underdog charm. Jacqueline Fernandez, however, disappoints with a performance that feels perfunctory and uninspired, her character lacking a clear arc or motivation. The supporting cast adds some youthful enthusiasm but is hampered by limited screen time and shallow characterisation. Where Hai Junoon does find some footing is in its musical sequences. The choreography is energetic and the reimagined Bollywood numbers add nostalgic appeal. The involvement of veteran singers like Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, and Sonu Nigam enriches the soundtrack, although the frequent musical interludes sometimes disrupt the flow rather than enhance it. The show's attempt to merge traditional Bollywood musicality with contemporary youth culture is earnest but often clumsy, evoking more comparisons to outdated dance films than groundbreaking new territory. Ultimately, Hai Junoon: Dream, Dare, Dominate is a sprawling, uneven series that tries to do too much with too little focus. Its heart is in the right place - championing passion, inclusivity, and self-expression - but the execution feels overstuffed, inconsistent, and lacking in narrative discipline. What could have been an inspiring ode to youthful dreams ends up feeling like a choreographed slog. For those craving a musical drama, the show offers sporadic moments of enjoyment, but it rarely sustains interest or delivers on its promise. With stronger writing, tighter editing, and more authentic character development, this series might have soared. Instead, it limps across the finish line.
News18
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Hai Junoon Review: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Jacqueline Fernandez Show Suffers Due To Lazy Writing
Last Updated: Hai Junoon Review: Neil Nitin Mukesh and Jacqueline Fernandez's show is more than a college competition. Neil Nitin Mukesh and Jacqueline Fernandez starrer Hai Junoon: Dream, Dare, Dominate is finally out. Currently streaming on JioHotstar, the show is helmed by Abhishek Sharma and is a coming-of-age musical drama. But is the show worth watching? Read our review here to know: What Does Hai Junoon Revolve Around? Hai Junoon is a musical drama series that follows the rivalry between two student groups at Anderson College — the elite SuperSonics and the unconventional Misfits — as they compete in a prestigious inter-collegiate talent competition. However, what begins as a battle for the spotlight soon transforms into a deeper journey of passion and self-discovery. The story begins with the return of Gagan Ahuja (played by Neil Nitin Mukesh), a celebrated alumnus and once a rising star in the global music scene. After a decade in Los Angeles, he returns to Mumbai for the college's 50th Founder's Day celebration. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he decides to stay back. As this puts his music career on hold, he takes on the role of mentor to the SuperSonics — a group known for their talent, discipline, and perfection. On the other hand, Sebi (played by Sumedh Mugdalkar), a passionate and rebellious student, forms a new group called Misfits, a team of dancers. This team is mentored by Pearl Saldhana, played by Jacqueline Fernandez. However, as tensions rise and the competition heats up, rivalries are tested, friendships are formed, and secrets unravel. Hai Junoon becomes more than just a college competition — it evolves into a transformative journey, where each student confronts their fears, embraces their individuality, and learns what it truly means to chase a dream. What Works Well For Hai Junoon? It's the performances in Hai Junoon that truly keep the audience engaged. Neil Nitin Mukesh is a standout — a true delight to watch. He brings depth and nuance to the character of Gagan Ahuja, delivering a performance that feels both effortless and impactful. Neil's presence in the show reminds of previous works like the 2009 movie, New York. One can't help but feel that filmmakers ought to cast Neil more frequently — his talent deserves the spotlight. Among the younger cast members in show, Siddharth Nigam emerges as a powerhouse of energy. His spirited performance aligns perfectly with the show's competitive and dynamic tone. Priyanka Sharma and Sumedh Mudgalkar also leave a strong impression, winning hearts with their charisma. However, Jacqueline Fernandez's performance falls short of expectations. She fails to bring anything new for her fans. Her character should have been written with a clearer perspective. What Does Not Work Well For Hai Junoon? The biggest shortcoming of Hai Junoon lies in its writing and direction. The narrative becomes unnecessarily confusing, making it difficult for viewers to stay engaged. With a large ensemble cast and individual subplots for nearly every character, the story often feels overcrowded and disjointed. While it's understandable that character development takes time, the execution here lacks focus. As the episodes progress, instead of deepening the central theme, the show seems to stray further from its core message. The constant digressions dilute the impact, causing the storyline to lose momentum. Ultimately, Hai Junoon struggles to hold the audience's attention — not due to a lack of talent or potential, but because the storytelling fails to deliver with clarity and cohesion. First Published:
