TVF’s Aspirants — The Indian UPSC Dream
TVF’s Aspirants is about three UPSC aspirants(known as the tripod) whose personal lives become intertwined through their struggles, failures and fate. But underneath the envelope of these broad storytelling, the show layers an image of aspiration in India, where there is a hope to contribute actively to the nation and desire to elevate their present socio-economic class. To the people of a country, deprived of respect, it is natural to obsess over a construct that offers the shortest possible route to some. That is what UPSC is to most people in this country, a socio-political card that, at least on paper, frees them of India’s bigotry in a cellular level.
I have been an aspirant myself, not a UPSC aspirant but someone seeking a job. I may not have seen Old Rajinder Nagar in Delhi but I definitely have been in Ameerpet, Hyderabad, and Acharya Vihar in Bhubaneswar. I have lived in those places and I know how it feels to be an aspirant.
Aspirants will take you back to the entrance exam preparation days when all you have to do is just focus on study and somehow clear the exam. Like Kota Factory which talked about the IIT entrance exam stress, Aspirants tells the story of UPSC aspirants Abhilash (Naveen Kasturia), SK(Abhilash Thapliyal), and Guri(Shivankit Parihar).
Four of the first five episodes navigate issues that have less to do with a profession being pursued than the core culture of education itself. The second episode, for example, revolves around: Can failed professionals make great teachers? The fourth, the best of the lot, poses questions about the scrutiny of success: Does a “Plan B” mentality weaken the resolve to succeed? Do love stories that begin in the emotional prison of coaching classes ever see a future together? What if one partner clears and the other is left behind? These are worthy questions to think about. By addressing them, the series blankets viewers who aspire in other fields of life as well — without sacrificing the core authenticity of the Civil Services journey.
One of the hardest things in life is to accept your failures and yet make an attempt the next time with even more preparation and positive thoughts. Learning from your mistakes and analyzing what went wrong and start your preparation with a new spirit. We are always running but sometimes it's better to stop, take a breath and do what actually excites us. Because in the end, it would rather be a regretful death or a memorable life.
Apoorv Singh Karki, the director of the show, failed UPSC six years ago because he was destined to deliver Aspirants. I am not saying this, just exactly quoting what he said today in his Instagram story. This is brilliant writing and direction from the house of TVF. The background score is fabulous. Dhaaga, which is more of a re-use after Yeh Meri Family, finds a better fit here, or just the way it was shot. Just another craft filmmakers should learn to adapt.
Naveen Kasturia breaks into TVF’s space once again after the pathbreaking Pitchers. He seems tailor-made for this role with the resolution and naiveness he brings to his character in different timelines. Dhairya, played by Namita Dubey is a strong support cast in a limited role.
Shivankit Parihar as Guri is TVF’s trusted go-to person in every original show and he has developed a finesse on his craft over time. There are emotional moments in which he shines, for instance, three of them having a drink at a bar and his reaction to Abhilash taking out his glasses gifted by Dhairya(Abhilash’s ex) who is now Guri’s wife to be. These are strong emotions even fine actors fail to get right.
Abhilash Thapliyal as SK is the show’s most underrated character. I must say this is one of the best characters played in any friendship story ever. He’s calm, subtle, and doesn’t express, so it’s obvious he’s the one always taken for granted. People like us not knowing Thapliyal before this stint shows the industry’s downside of failing to recognize good talents. SK Sir deserves a spin-off of his own.
Sunny Hinduja is soulful as Sandeep, Abhilash’s mentor-like roommate. Sandeep Bhaiya’s is a common story in real lives but isn’t too common in the reel, and a rare instance of TVF acknowledging the lesser side of striving. He defines the penultimate episode and its potentially iconic climax involving exam results and slow-motion rainfall. But just as you begin to think Sandeep has been Rancho-ed (3 idiots reference), the finale brings another epic meet-up capsuling an emotional life lesson we all keenly waited for. Hinduja might have a brief role, but this will remain his career-defining character.
Here are some beautiful quotes by Sandeep Bhaiya I would like to include in this piece of writing:
“Power se bulb bhi jalta hai jo logon ke zindagi mein roshni laata hai. Power se current bhi lagta hai, jo logon ki jaan le leta hai. You have to decide Power ka use kaise karna hai”
“A human is directionless moving on an axis without the force of love, relationship and friendship”
“The Success isn’t worth it when you don’t have people who sacrificed their own dreams & helped you launch towards your dreams!”
The poem in the emotional climax scene gave me goosebumps. Abhilash finally accepting his reality and letting off Dhairya go was a powerfully shot sequence.
One more great thing I liked about the show is taking inspiration from the work of real-life IAS officers. These are brilliant ways to inculcate real deeds on screen. I will shamelessly admit this vague thought of still having three years and six attempts to clear the UPSC exams after watching this show. Now my Youtube history is full of LBSNAA campus and hostel videos.
The only thing I didn’t like about the show was the absurd placement of Unacademy promotions. It must be miserable for the writers to place these dialogues which feel like YouTube ads which one cannot skip. But in a business sense, this is what drives the budget of a show like this.
TVF’S Aspirants is too good for a show to be streaming for free. Watch it right now to draw positivity and inspiration during these difficult times.