Review: Tribhuvan Mishra: CA Topper explores the life of a middle-class man who becomes a male escort, addressing the deeper desires of women beyond physical intimacy. Although the concept is similar to movies like ‘Desi Boyz,’ where characters become male escorts after a recession, this series lacks the same charm. The episodes can feel far-fetched and chaotic, but the performances by Manav Kaul and Tillotama Shome stand out, keeping the show engaging.
The series follows Tribhuvan Mishra (Manav Kaul), a principled chartered accountant in Noida, who lives with his cake-maker wife Ashoklata (Naina Sareen) and their two children. Due to his honesty, he faces a severe financial crisis and loses access to his savings due to bank issues. Desperate to make ends meet, he decides to become an escort to pay off his debts. This new secret job brings many challenges. He struggles to balance his public life with his secret occupation, facing the risk of being exposed, the emotional strain, and the impact on his principles and relationships. As he continues, he must deal with society’s judgment and the effect of his choices on his family and self-worth.
Created by Puneet Krishna and co-directed with Amrit Raj Gupta, the series tells its story in a light-hearted way. Despite its explicit premise, the show explores human weaknesses and maintains a balanced narrative. It focuses on Tribhuvan’s double life and his journey through the criminal underworld, filled with comedic mishaps and violent confrontations. The drama is fast-paced, with a lively screenplay and comedy, but it doesn’t fully engage or reach a higher level.
Manav Kaul shines in his dual role as a simple family man and the charismatic ‘CA Topper,’ impressing with his performance and dance moves. Tillotama Shome excels as Bindi, a lonely wife obsessed with Bollywood romances, and shares great on-screen chemistry with Kaul. Shubhrajyoti Barat is convincing as a sweet shop owner, though his role as a contract killer feels a bit much. Jitin Gulati does well as Vineet, another gigolo who mentors Tribhuvan. Shweta Basu Prasad and Sumit Gulati are decent, but their characters feel out of place. Naina Sareen as Tribhuvan’s supportive wife Ashoklata and Faisal Malik as the out-of-shape cop Haider Ali play their roles well.
The show references the loyal fans of SRK and Salman Khan, with lines like “Salman ke fans shaadi nahi karte” adding humor. Ram Sampath’s music score enhances the chaotic comedy, fitting well with Tribhuvan’s wild journey. However, the nine-hour episodes drag the story out too long, which would have been better as a film. The climax is confusing, leaving viewers uncertain about what’s happening on screen.
What keeps this series moving are the performances by Manav Kaul and Tillotama Shome. Beyond their acting, there isn’t much else that stands out and this series can be a one time watch.
