Kumari Srimathi: Telugu drama series is entertaining but not outstanding

Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Casting talented actor Nithya Menen as the spunky protagonist in Kumari Srimathi, directed by Gomtesh Upadhye, was one of the smartest choices by producer Early Monsoon Tales (web division of Vyjayanthi Movies and Swapna Cinema). At the outset, we meet Kumari Srimathi (Nithya Menen), who works as a floor manager in a restaurant, and is fighting a legal case against her uncle to get her grandfather’s house in Ramaraju Lanka back. The judge then grants her six months’ time to pay her uncle Rs 38 lakh and buy the property. Srimathi’s father absconded 20 years ago and her life has been of trials and tribulations since then. For a young woman on a salary of Rs 13000 and whose mother (Gautami) and sister make Indian sweets and savouries for survival, how will Srimathi ever earn Rs 38 lakh? What writer Srinivas Avasarala has given us is not a sob story about a young woman but an empowering women-led show which is anchored by Nithya Menen. The dramedy is about a woman’s dream and how she achieves it despite the odds stacked against her. While Srimathi’s methods are questionable and, at times, even silly, it is a feel-good story that the writer and director have tried to deliver. Srimathi’s story portrays how tough it is for women to make in-roads in some aspects of life without a man by their side and how conflicts in relationships are an everyday affair.
Srimathi Kumari, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, is narrated with a lot of sincerity and there are no major frills to detract attention from the protagonist. At 30, Srimathi has crossed the marriageable age, believes her mother, who is convinced that a woman opening a bar is sure to drive this family out of this conservative society. But while Srimathi is trying to get this bar in place, there is romance that comes in like a breath of fresh air. Suitors try to win her heart and love is on the horizon for this ‘old maid’. As the web series unfolds, it holds up a mirror to society and while it can win hearts, the story is not compelling enough to make it unforgettable. This web series is entertaining for the most part except when the writer tries to make it impactful, funny and deliver serious sermons about drinking at the same time. Having said that, it is a Nithya Menen show all the way.