Do You Wanna Partner Review – When a Great Concept Falls Short

Image Source- Prime Video

Some shows arrive with quiet intrigue, and some show up with the weight of big banners and bigger expectations. Do You Wanna Partner, backed by Dharma Productions, falls into the latter. The trailer promised quirk, comedy, and social commentary wrapped in an unconventional friendship story. Add Tamannaah Bhatia and Diana Penty leading the charge, and you’d expect something fresh, fun, and sharp. I was curious enough to hit play the moment it dropped on Amazon Prime (yes, I cleared my watchlist for this one). But after binging through it, my feelings were mixed.

What stood out instantly, though, is how the show dares to step into a space Indian web series rarely touch: craft beer, female founders, and the messy world of startups. On paper, it’s a goldmine of drama and relatability. The problem is, the sparkle fades too quickly in the telling.

The Plot – Quirky Set-Up, Uneven Execution

The setup is simple but promising. Shikha (Tamannaah) loses her corporate job and decides to take on her father’s dream of reviving his craft beer brand, Jugaaro. Her best friend Anahita (Diana Penty), a sharp marketing expert who’s tired of being sidelined at work, jumps in to help. Together, they dive into the chaotic world of startups, tackling sexism, funding struggles, branding nightmares, and the constant grind of trying to make a name in a male-dominated space.

To get ahead, they hatch a desperate but clever plan: inventing a male figurehead (Jaaved Jaaferi) to play David Jones, hoping this façade will help them navigate prejudices and gain credibility. Their journey intersects with the ambitious investor portrayed by Nakuul Mehta, who brings both charm and complications to the duo’s path, and Shweta Tiwari, who plays a seasoned businesswoman with her own sharp take on power and survival in the industry.

What follows is a mix of creative attempts, funny missteps, and some earnest frameworks for exploring gender bias, entrepreneurship, and the resilience of female friendship. The opening episodes lean into the comedy of errors, the banter, awkward pitches, and that constant fear of being exposed. It’s breezy and fun, but as the show moves forward, the writing struggles to balance tones. The concept has spark, though the execution doesn’t always match it.

Performances – Hits, Misses, and Standouts

Tamannaah Bhatia brings warmth and a natural presence to Shakes. She’s charming and believable as someone trying to turn failure into opportunity, even when the writing doesn’t always back her up. Diana Penty as Mak is more grounded, sharp in her delivery, and nails the subtle frustrations of being overlooked. Their chemistry is the show’s biggest strength. You actually buy into their friendship, they bicker, they lift each other up, and it feels real in a way that makes you root for them.

Among the supporting cast, Jaaved Jaaferi as the face of “David Jones” is easily the scene-stealer. He plays the fake figurehead with a mix of eccentricity and wit, and while the gag does stretch thin after a point, he keeps it entertaining whenever he’s on screen. Nakuul Mehta adds charm and likability as one of the more grounded male characters, balancing the chaos with a subtle, easygoing performance. Shweta Tiwari, meanwhile, lends gravitas as a seasoned businesswoman who knows how the industry operates. She brings both polish and presence, though her role deserved more depth. While some side characters land as comic relief or texture, others remain underwritten, functioning more as plot devices than fully realized people.

Dharma Hype vs Streaming Reality

With Dharma Productions backing it and a trailer that promised sass and social bite, Do You Wanna Partner almost felt like it was setting itself up to be top-notch. Add to that the buzz around female-led narratives, and the hype was undeniable. I honestly went in thinking this could be one of the standout Indian web series of the year (the kind people won’t stop tweeting about).

But here’s the reality: while the concept is gold, the storytelling doesn’t fully cash in on it. The show often oscillates between being a lighthearted buddy comedy and a serious commentary on sexism, without finding the right rhythm to balance both. Some episodes drag with predictable conflicts, and a few jokes land flat, making the pacing uneven. Still, there are sparks whenever the friendship between Shakes and Mak takes center stage, and the show feels alive again. Those moments, sprinkled with relatable frustrations and witty exchanges, are what keep you watching despite the dips.

Final Verdict – Worth a Watch?

Do You Wanna Partner is one of those series that sits in the middle: not a must-watch masterpiece, but not a waste of time either. If you’re in for a breezy binge with a fresh setup and want to see female friendship explored in a quirky, startup-driven world, it’s worth giving a shot. Just keep your expectations measured. The laughs are there, the themes are important, but the execution isn’t always sharp enough to leave a lasting mark.

At the end of the day, it’s a show with heart but not enough bite. You’ll enjoy the ride in parts, but don’t be surprised if you’re left saying. This could’ve been so much sharper.

By the way, if you’re into grounded film thoughts, underrated thriller picks, or just plain honest recommendations, I’m over on Instagram:@bingewatch_perspective.  That’s where I post quick recaps, hot takes, and those offbeat gems you might’ve missed.

Before I wrap up, if you haven’t yet, check out my review of Saiyaara — another story worth your time.

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