The pursuit of flawlessness finds a quirky yet endearing representation in the character of Lavanya Rao, superbly etched out by Lavanya Tripathi in the Telugu web series ‘Miss Perfect’. This Disney+ Hotstar offering, directed by Vishvak Khandero – known for his feature film ‘Skylab’ – marks his foray into digital storytelling. ‘Miss Perfect’ unfolds over a series of eight episodes, each stretching between 20 to 25 minutes, embodying the essence of light-hearted drama without dabbling in themes of violence, nudity, or profanity.
Our protagonist’s penchant for perfection leaps out through her obsessive-compulsive tendencies for tidiness and order. An illustrative incident at her therapist’s clinic, where she cannot resist the urge to correct a skewed photograph or dispose of a candy wrapper, sets the stage for the foibles and fascinations of Lavanya’s world. This backdrop introduces viewers to the premise of the show where Lavanya succumbs to cleaning her neighbor Rohit’s (played by Abijeet Duddala) apartment, penned by Shruti Ramachandran and Francis Thomas.
‘Miss Perfect’ begins its tale in the days leading up to the first COVID-19 induced lockdown in 2020. Lavanya arrives in Hyderabad to bring her expertise as an HR consultant but finds herself stymied by the ensuing lockdown. Enter Jyothi, portrayed by Abhignya Vuthaluru, Lavanya’s cook who harbors aspirations of becoming a playback singer. She finds herself trapped in a containment zone and implores Lavanya to notify her employer and neighbor, Rohit, about her absence. What ensues is a quintessential farcical mix-up as Lavanya, in her element, tidies up Rohit’s unkempt living room and gets mistaken for a househelp, christened Lakshmi.
As this case of mistaken identity drags on, the believability of the narrative starts to fray. A burgeoning romance between Lavanya and Rohit sprouts and is sweetened through shared culinary interests. Despite the natural charm of their interactions, one might question the plausibility of Lavanya’s continued pretense. Interspersed dialogues about white lies with a friend do little to sustain viewer commitment to the evolving storyline.
The episodes gain comedic momentum through Jyothi’s animated quest to pursue her singing ambitions, accompanied by her brother, a budding YouTuber, and the community’s watchman, played by Mahesh Vitta. They embark on a whimsical journey to uncover the true identity of the elusive househelp and Rohit’s secrets.
Adding depth to the series is Jyothi’s vivacious character development and her struggles for a musical breakthrough. Prashanth Vihari’s original compositions are cleverly used as a narrative thread that gradually propels the story forward. A subplot offering a glimpse into a budding romance between Lavanya’s father, Gokul Rao (Harshavardhan), and the retired principal Rajyalakshmi (Jhansi) as they explore the blossoms of love later in life, infuses warmth and relatability to the series.
Despite these diversions, the web series’ limited narrative scope often leaves the tale feeling inflated beyond its natural capacity. The thin storyline does not fully succeed in engendering a strong connection with the characters, who, despite their appeal, do not compel viewers to fiercely root for them.
Credits go to the cast, where Lavanya, Abhignya, and Abhijeet bring charming sincerity to their respective roles. Jhansi and Harshavardhan delight audiences as the senior couple in the throes of rediscovered affection. Complementing these performances are the proficient production design, harmonious music, and sunny cinematography, which align with the series’ cheerful ambiance.
In summation, ‘Miss Perfect’ provides an enjoyable, if fleeting, viewing experience. The series exudes a sprightly charm but stops short of leaving an indelible mark on the memory of its audience. It remains a light-hearted drama whose pursuit of perfection in storytelling does not go beyond its clean and tidy presentation.
