Raat Jawaan Hai Review: A Heartfelt Reminder Of Why Adult Friendships Matter

This article contains spoilers.

Raat Jawaan Hai, a WhatsApp group of three childhood friends turned adult parents, where they attempt to make plans to meet up, and luckily, they manage to do it almost every other day. The series follows how this friendship and these meet-ups help them navigate the chaos of parenthood, all while living like the night is still young.

In this trio, Barun Sobti as Avinash, Priya Bapat as Suman, and Anjali Anand as Radhika are all based in Mumbai, currently embracing life as stay-at-home parents. Like every friend group, they fall into distinct roles: the free-spirited one, the sensitive soul, and the perfect blend of both. Want to know who’s who? Keep reading to find out!

A Heartfelt Reminder Of Why Adult Friendships Matter

Through six episodes directed by debutant director, Sumeet Vyas, the series delicately explores the struggles of new parents who have gradually lost sight of the lives they once had before parenthood took over. It starts with something as simple as carving out a few hours or a day just for themselves. Avinash, who once caught every film on premiere day, now barely remembers when the premieres happen! He, however, realises that he still has a life outside of parenting, urging the trio to plan a movie date. Thus begins their mission to make it happen, with all three going to great lengths to pull it off.

We then witness the marital challenges a couple faces after parenthood. Suman’s intimacy with her husband has dwindled to little more than distant smiles, leaving their sex life shattered. Rather than confronting the issue head-on, she starts to doubt her appearance, blaming herself for her motherly body. The couple's lack of communication resulted in misunderstandings about their sexual relationship. When Suman shares her struggles with the trio, the other two step in, encouraging her to confront her husband, and she finally does so, which eventually solves the issue.

The plot also examines the stereotypes surrounding housewives and stay-at-home dads can lead to difficult choices between parenting and careers. Radhika, a confident woman, becomes a full-time housewife after her child’s birth, determined to handle caregiving alone. One day, she suddenly realises her identity as a housewife, which shocks her.

She decides to return to her old job but soon discovers the lack of work-life balance in the corporate sector. Faced with the dilemma of choosing between her career and her child, Radhika breaks down and shares her struggles with the trio. They encourage her to find a middle ground, leading her to become a party planner, and she successfully juggles clients and children from home.

Raat Jawaan Hai Review

The standout aspect of the Sony LIV series is the friendship among Avinash, Suman, and Radhika, making Raat Jawaan Hai one of the best explorations of adult friendships. As the trio navigates the same waters, they empathise with each other's struggles, which are unspoken stories that we don't get to see on big screens, highlighting why the show is worth a watch.

However, the storytelling can feel predictable, with some subplots feeling stretched and episodes appearing longer than necessary, the dialogue incorporates modern slang, and it occasionally comes off as cringeworthy. All of these make it challenging to finish the series in one go.

Views expressed by the author are their own.