Web Series: Do You Wanna Partner
Director: Archit Kumar & Collin D’Cunha
Cast: Tamannaah Bhatia, Diana Penty, Nakuul Mehta, Jaaved Jaaferi, Neeraj Kabi, Shweta Tiwari, Rannvijay Singha, Ayesha Raza Mishra, Sufi Motiwala
No. of episodes: 8 of ~ 35–46 minutes each
Streaming from: 12 September 2025
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Childhood friends, Shikha Roy Chowdhury (Tamannaah Bhatia) and Anahita Makujina (Diana Penty), channel their frustrations with toxic workplaces and betrayal into ambition, launching Jugaaro — a craft beer startup that dares to challenge the empire of ruthless tycoon Vikram Walia (Neeraj Kabi). Joining them is quirky brewmaster Bobby Bagga (Nakuul Mehta). To win over skeptical investors and push through the bias of a male-dominated industry, they invent a fictitious mentor, “David Jones,” brought to life by Dylan Thomas (Jaaved Jaaferi). His supposed backing propels Jugaaro into the spotlight, but the lie soon spirals out of control. As the women juggle financial crises, a shady alliance with Laila Singh (Shweta Tiwari), Walia’s sabotage, and Dylan’s secrets, their business soars and stumbles in equal measure — while their friendship faces its hardest test.
The show’s strongest asset is its leads. Tamannaah and Diana share an effortless chemistry that anchors the narrative, keeping the emotional stakes alive even when the writing wavers. Around them, Jaaved Jaaferi, Shweta Tiwari, and the supporting cast bring bursts of humour and eccentricity, adding spark to the ride.
Tonally, Do You Wanna Partner stays breezy and accessible. The startup grind, boardroom bias, and entrepreneurial headaches could have weighed it down, but the creators keep things light, blending humour, romance, and friendship drama in equal measure. The “David Jones” ploy may not be fresh from a global lens, but directors Archit Kumar and Collin D’Cunha adapt it smartly for the digital age — fusing the gimmick with social media virality, influencer culture, and hype-driven branding. It’s less about disguise, more about how perception can trump reality in today’s startup ecosystem. As satire, it works, though the joke stretches thin over time.
Where the series falters is in depth. The themes of sexism, entrepreneurship, and ambition surface often, but mostly as plot devices rather than sincere explorations. Characters slip into stereotypes, and the mid-season stretch sags under jargon and melodrama. The humour swings between sharp and forced, while the broader narrative follows a familiar underdog arc that rarely surprises.
Do You Wanna Partner doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and that’s fine for what it is — a frothy, one-time watch. But had the makers dug deeper into the startup world — its valuations, make-or-break decisions, and the grind of hustle culture — the show might have resonated more with contemporary audiences. With the right depth, it could have taken a page from Suits, turning business manoeuvring into compulsive drama and setting itself up for a long run, rather than settling for froth over flavour.
As it stands, it’s easy to watch and often entertaining. The premise never fully delivers on its promise, but it has enough charm to keep you engaged for a weekend binge. If you want light escapism, a few laughs, and the novelty of girlfriends taking on the beer business, this one’s worth a shot.
The finale leaves fractures in the partnership, sparks of reconciliation, and fresh threats from Walia — all pointing to unfinished business. A second season hasn’t been confirmed, but Jugaaro’s story clearly isn’t over yet.
