School Friends (2023) S01

A slice-of-life show that explores the lives School Friends of 5 quirky school teenagers who’ve just entered 11th Commerce, as they navigate friendships, heartbreaks, peer pressures, more importantly figuring out who they really want to be. All this in a society that finds it difficult to cope with the fast-changing Gen Z world.

School Friends is a heartwarming drama that follows the lives of five high school commerce students. The story delves into their experiences with friendship, first love, peer pressure, and the valuable lesson of making the most out of their school years. While the series might not evoke intense nostalgia for one’s own school days, it carries a certain feel-good charm that resonates. Set in Kundan Lal Purushottam Dutta (KLPD) High School, the narrative revolves around Anirban (Aaditya Gupta), an ordinary young man who harbours deep feelings for his classmate Stuti (Navika Kotia), an academic high achiever with ambitions of becoming the “Head Girl.” Anirban’s steadfast companions are Raman (Manav Soneji) and Dimple (Alisha Parveen), his best friends who consistently support him. On the fringes of this tight-knit group is Mukund (Ansh Pandey), a student who has struggled for three years to pass the 11th grade and seeks acceptance within their circle. Directed by Sahil Verma, the series comprises 19 episodes, each spanning a manageable 10-15 minutes. Its relatability and binge-worthy quality lie in its ability to evoke memories of one’s own school group. The story encompasses a blend of comedy, drama, disagreements, and conflicts, incorporating twists that keep the viewer engaged. An intriguing twist in the 16th episode sees a shift to black-and-white cinematography, accompanied by an 80’s style and Hindi-speaking characters, enriched by witty dialogue and amusing background music.