“Ghar Waapsi” is relatable and definitely charming. But is it not repetitive? Therefore, does it still manage to be entertaining? Be it a “Panchayat,” a “Sutliyan,” or a “Yeh Meri Family,” each one of them can claim to be something different, but they all follow a common theme. A single person, with more progressive thinking, finds themselves navigating the quirks of their surroundings, which are either with their family or in a small town or village.
TVF and Dice Media have made an especially strong base in what has come to be a genre in itself. It was definitely something new when content like this first started to become mainstream. Finally, someone was paying attention to the idiosyncrasies of this particular section of society. But as they grew in number, they established a very set pattern—that of starting with a singular new angle and then dissolving into a predictable plot with predictable characters. That is bound to happen because it is based on real life. Then what remains the incentive to watch something again and again that is already our daily lived reality?
“Ghar Waapsi” is the story of Shekhar, who returns home to his family in Indore after losing his job. He has come back after 2 years, and while he has been supporting them financially, he is out of touch with their lives. He has not told them about losing his job. As he spends more time with his family, he starts to get to know them all over again. Not a bad premise, considering that in the aftermath of the pandemic, this is what happened to scores of people across the country.
The rest of Shekhar’s family includes his mother, who seems to have issues with anxiety, his father who acts as the balancing factor in the house, a brother who seems to be moving with the wrong crowd, and a sister who looks like she might be a bit of a sociopath. As soon as he comes back, his mother wants him to get married, which forces him to reveal that he is unemployed. As expected, chaos ensues when the overachiever of the house is suddenly out of a job.
From the trailer, we know he eventually gets back on his feet. But not before the frustrations of living with his family get to him. Living away from home brings a certain emotional distance from our family, which we equally cherish and regret. We are free to develop and explore our personalities, free of any expectations and judgments. But we also miss the love and the feeling of someone being there for us always. Shekhar goes through the same things. His sister says that after growing up with him for 12–13 years, he has become a stranger to her after leaving home. Didn’t we think immediately of our siblings when this happened?
Shekhar is also advised by one of his friends to not let his work rule his entire life. Something we hear each day, from various sources, but though completely valid, how does one combat that with the need to not be left behind in a hypercompetitive world and the desire for a better life that often comes at the cost of personal sacrifices?
Shekhar goes back to his new job, but he can’t stop thinking about how he has left behind his family, and if anything he is doing is worth it. Maybe this is why we are wrong. The very relatability that we felt was making such stories repetitive still has the power to pull at our hearts. Because even the most ordinary lives are not devoid of complex emotions and trajectories that deserve to be validated. We don’t always turn to the screen to be surprised or blown away. We also look for stories that mirror our own, that show us that we are not alone in feeling what we do, that there are others who share our frustrations with life. We love our families. They are the first people we know and are often the ones who lay the foundation for our lives. No matter how much we grow up, a part of us will always belong to them. And that’s why, perhaps, shows like “Ghar Waapsi” will never get old. Kudos to TVF and Dice Media for understanding this delicate balance, and helping us find a home on the silver screen. “Ghar Waapsi” is a must-watch as a reminder to keep your family in your hearts always.
See More: ‘Ghar Waapsi’ Ending, Explained: Why Does Shekhar Quit His Job? Does He Go Back Home?
