Off Campus: The Friendship Was the Real Love Story

I started watching Off Campus because of all the social media hype surrounding the series. It took me almost two weeks to finish it, but honestly, that is how I watch almost every show these days.

In fact, it is not limited to web series alone. I often break movies into 30-minute sessions and watch them over several days like a series. I used to think it was because my attention span had become shorter. But then I watched both parts of Dhurandhar, which were over three hours each, in the theatre without feeling bored for a second. That made me realize the issue probably is not my attention span. The story simply has to hook me enough.

Anyway, back to Off Campus.

One thing I appreciated about this Amazon Prime series is that it fully embraces the campus drama setting and focuses on the lives of young adults. That said, I found it a little difficult to relate to the “college student” aspect because most of the cast looked quite grown-up and remarkably sorted out for their age.

As someone who belongs firmly to the K-drama enthusiast camp, I also struggled a bit with how physical the relationships felt compared to the emotional depth I am used to seeing in Korean dramas. The show does explore trauma, vulnerability, and personal growth, but it never quite reaches the level of empathy and layered storytelling that many K-dramas excel at. Because of that, the series did not emotionally move me as much as I expected.

At the same time, I completely understand why Off Campus has resonated with younger audiences. Beneath the romance, it talks about important themes like dealing with complicated feelings, open communication, consent, emotional support, and empathy. These may sound basic, but they are often easier said than done.

Personally, I enjoyed the friendship between Hannah and Allie even more than some of the main romantic storylines. The scene where Hannah finally chooses to share her story with Allie was an absolute tearjerker for me. Truly, blessed are those who have a friend like that in their lives.

I also found Allie’s romantic arc far more nuanced and interesting. She desperately wants to prove she can be alone without using relationships as a crutch and, in the process, makes some questionable decisions. Honestly, that felt very relatable because most of us have done our fair share of nonsense while trying to convince ourselves we have everything figured out.

Her confusion is what makes the storyline compelling. She has a partner who is not a bad person by any measure, but he is not quite the right person for her either. That grey area, where nobody is necessarily wrong yet things still do not feel right, makes for a much more engaging relationship story. Mika Abdalla aces the role. Her resemblance to the Indian actress, Mahima Chaudhry, is also uncanny.

For me, the overall vibe of Off Campus felt like a blend of 13 Reasons Why and Beartown. Because of that, it did not feel particularly fresh or groundbreaking. A quick Google search tells me that the Off Campus books were published around the same period as Beartown, and some even earlier. Still, my point is simply that the storyline felt familiar to me.

Overall, I think Off Campus is a decent one-time watch if you enjoy young adult romance. It may not have offered anything entirely new, but it was engaging enough to keep me watching.

Off Campus is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

My Yali Capkini Journey: Rage, Romance and Baklava Cravings

I started watching the Turkish drama Yali Capkini (Golden Boy) on Amazon Prime (MX Player) for a very simple reason. The lead pair looked good. I honestly assumed I would drop it after a few episodes because good looks alone rarely keep me hooked. Chemistry matters. A solid storyline matters. Surprisingly, Yali Capkini seems to tick every box so far.

This is the first time I am watching a Turkish series, and it gave me a small window into how Turkish Muslims live. It feels very different from what we usually see in Indian society, where things tend to be more conservative. Turkish culture comes across as more liberal, and a lot of that credit goes to Atatürk’s reforms, which pushed women’s rights forward. The show reflects that beautifully. Women face no criticism for dressing modernly, can speak up for themselves, and aren’t afraid to assert their rights. At the same time, the drama also shows conservative families who believe women should stay home and raise children. One scene shows a father accusing his daughter of being a disbeliever just because she drew a Christmas tree. In Pakistani dramas, the word “kafir” gets thrown around easily, but from what I’ve seen here, it isn’t normalised in Turkish shows. In fact, later, you see characters happily celebrating Christmas trees and decor.

If you plan to watch Yali Capkini, keep a box of Baklava ready. There are so many references to the sweet that you will start craving it instantly. I highly recommend trying Swaadesi Baklava, which should be available in most local Indian stores and also online. In the show, coffee and Baklava feel like supporting characters. They show up during happy moments and sad ones. Just like how many of us enjoy a cup of chai on a rainy day, the characters in this drama keep turning to their coffee and Baklava at any time of the day.

Now, coming to the main characters. Ferit, played by Mert Ramazan Demir, has to be one of the most toxic characters I have ever seen in a drama or movie. Since Yali Capkini’s story is written by a psychiatrist, the male character’s behaviour feels layered and too realistic at times. He is the kind of partner who says “So what?” when you tell him he hurt you, yet he reacts strongly if you give him the same treatment. His emotional manipulation, hot and cold behaviour, and constant lying create a type of rage that builds up inside you. His words sting more than any physical act. Anyone who has ever dealt with a toxic partner would relate, and this applies to both women and men who have experienced suffocating or manipulative relationships. The way most female characters in the drama react to disrespect is infuriating, but it is still close to reality. We all know someone who tells women to “adjust” or “compromise” to keep the relationship going.

The female lead, Seyran, played by Afra Saraçoğlu, is stunning, with eyes that instantly remind you of Aishwarya Rai. She is fiery, refuses to accept injustice, and that naturally irritates Ferit and his family, who are used to submissive women. She is easily the best performer in the show and delivers every scene with perfection.

There are very less feel-good scenes here. The series feels like pure rage bait. Still, it keeps you hooked. I haven’t completed it yet because Season 1 alone has more than 100 episodes. Then there is Season 2 and 3. I am not sure I will finish everything if the constant toxicity gets too irritating, but for now, I still have the motivation to continue.

Yali Capkini is available in both Turkish and Hindi on Amazon and MX Player. The English subtitles aren’t perfect, and sometimes don’t make any sense, but I still recommend watching it with subtitles rather than switching to the Hindi dub. The Hindi audio uses overly respectful language even when characters talk to someone younger, and it takes away from the natural flow of the scenes. That was my only issue.

Tu Juliet Jatt Di is The Lighthearted Hindi Romcom We’ve Been Missing

With dark and heavy content flooding streaming platforms these days, my old soul keeps craving simple old school romance. I still enjoy serious shows, no doubt about that, but when the real world already feels intense, I prefer feel-good stories when I sit down to unwind. The type of content that I grew up watching.

I have stepped away from Pakistani dramas and films on YouTube because I didn’t want my views or money indirectly going anywhere near causes I don’t support. The disrespectful remarks on India after Pahalgam from their celebrities didn’t help either. The mental distance I felt afterwards was enough for me to stop endorsing their entertainment. Everyone is free to choose what they watch though. I chose to stop out of personal preference. People say politics and art/sports/religion should not be mixed, but in reality, they often overlap.

There’s definitely a void now that I’ve stopped watching Pakistani dramas, so I’ve been hunting for lighthearted Indian content instead that would lift my mood. And I’m happy I found it in the new romcom series Tu Juliet Jatt Di.

I cannot believe this is Jasmeet Kaur’s first project. She performs like a seasoned professional and is already more competent than many Hindi industry actresses who’ve been around for years. Syed Raza is impressive.

The chemistry between Syed Raza and Jasmeet Kaur is electric. I haven’t seen such crackling romance on screen in a long time. Most modern romances feel too serious. Think of movies like Saiyaara and Aashiqui 2, where the mood stays melancholic instead of happy or dreamy. There’s definitely an audience for that kind of storytelling, but I usually prefer something lighter and a little more positive.

We don’t get that fun vibe in Hindi movies anymore, the kind we once loved in Salaam Namaste, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kal Ho Naa Ho, or, if we are to talk about something comparatively newer, then Wake Up Sid. Stories where silence and lingering eye contact made an impression, where romance was a slow-burn and intense, yet positive. When you watch stories like these, your mood shifts almost instantly. You walk away feeling lighter and a little happier than before. You feel like you yourself are in love, the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. That’s missing nowadays, isn’t it?

Critics and serious cinema lovers have been pushing the industry to take up more logical, serious, and believable stories that have put romcom fans like me in a fix. That’s why Tu Juliet Jatt Di feels refreshing. It’s playful, flirty, and full of swoonworthy moments. Sure, there are emotional scenes and melodramatic scenes, which may not feel like reality, but they don’t drag the mood down. Also, the heroine refuses to wallow. She’s bold, sharp, and unafraid to call out nonsense. Syed Raza as Nawab adds the right amount of mischief, something that’s missing in many love stories today.

Tu Juliet Jatt Di is loud, lively, chaotic, just like the old times. It’s not here to spread a social message or make you think. It’s here to offer pure entertainment that isn’t enveloped in hopelessness, violence, and despair. And what can be more entertaining than love?

If you enjoy Korean dramas or Pakistani romantic shows, you will, in full certainty, like this new Hindi series too.

Tu Juliet Jatt Di is currently streaming on Colors TV and Jio Hotstar.