In season 2 of the semi-fictional show Masaba Masaba, the titular character and her mother Neena Gupta face new hurdles in their respective industries. The new season is now streaming on Netflix.
Story
After the events of season 1, Masaba is now fearful that she might be pregnant but that turns out to be a false alarm.
The entry of an influencer named Qayanaat as a new fashion designer makes Masaba feel threatened when her new collection is sold within minutes while hers isn’t.
Looking to become the ‘king’ of the industry, she takes a different route, opting to launch a brand new wedding collection with the name ‘House of Shaadi’.
But this venture turns out to be far from a smooth ride when she realises making specific clothes for clients isn’t the same as what she usually does. The bride-to-be, Aisha, is hard to convince.
Her to-be-husband, Fateh, further complicates the situation as he seems to enjoy Masaba’s company and looks for excuses to spend time with her.
All this while, Neena attempts to revive an old show named ‘Fursat’. The channel and director do not align with her vision and try to transform it into a more regressive television show.
Performances
Masaba continues to show that acting is in her blood. As natural as ever, she never looks out of place and holds her own as one of the two central figures of the series.
Neena Gupta is already touted as one of the most talented actresses in the industry and playing a character that’s basically her is too easy at this point. She breezes through the season.
Other characters, like Kusha Kapila’s Nicole, and Kareema Barry’s Qayanaat, are a bit over-exaggerated, which doesn’t work. They stand out among the more subtle characters, and not in a good way.
Positives
The series provides decent entertainment value. Standing at seven episodes around 30 minutes each, it never gets to the point of becoming a tedious watch.
Masaba and Neena’s equation remains by far the strongest point of the narrative. Every time they have a scene together, they light it up, whether it be a friendly chat or an intense argument.
Masaba Masaba continues to unabashedly push progressive thoughts for women, such as choosing a way to have children in the future or creating clothes specifically for them, which needs to be appreciated.
The cinematography, especially during the scenes in Jammu and Kashmir, is a treat to the eyes. The wedding sequences are gorgeous.
The music, although not heavily prevalent across the season, works well during the wedding sequences and elevates the moments.
Negatives
Compared to the first season, this one has added some unnecessary cliched drama that could have been avoided. Masaba being caught between Dhairya and Fateh is the plot of most dramas and feels rehashed.
The satire on the film and fashion industry doesn’t always land. Qayanaat looks more like a caricature and could have benefitted from a more nuanced approach.
Verdict
Masaba Masaba season 2 is genuinely engaging throughout despite its flaws. Fans of season 1 will definitely enjoy the new instalment as well.
Rating: 3/5
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