Save the Tigers is a Telugu comedy-drama-thriller web series that started streaming on Disney+ Hotstar on April 27, 2023, and then re-aired with Season 2 on March 15, 2024. Created by Mahi V Raghav and Pradeep Advaita, the series is directed by Teja Kakumanu (Season 1) and Arun Kothapalli (Season 2). It stars Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Abhinav Gomatham, and Chaitanya Krishna as the heroes, while Jordar Sujatha, Pavani Gangireddy, and Devyani Sharma play the heroines. Gangavva, Rohini, Seerat Kapoor (Season 2), and Darshana Banik (Season 2) impress in supporting roles. With cinematography by SV Vishweshwar, music by Ajay Arasada, and editing by Shravan Katikaneni, 6 episodes (30 minutes) in Season 1 and 7 episodes (190 minutes) in Season 2 were released with a U/A rating. The comedy of husbands frustrated with their wives in the F2 style, the kidnapping twist seen in the trailer, and the Priyadarshi-Abhinav comedy timing have raised expectations. How is this series? Let's see my feelings, highlights, and shortcomings in this review
What's in the story?
Season 1: Ghanta Ravi (Priyadarshi) is a dairy farm owner, Rahul (Abhinav Gomatham) is a jobless young man who dreams of becoming a writer, and Vikram (Chaitanya Krishna) is a soft-spoken creative writer in an ad agency. All three of them are frustrated with their wives Haimavati (Jordar Sujatha), Madhuri (Pavani Gangireddy), and Rekha (Devayani Sharma). They meet at a Mother's Day event and become friends by rants about their fights and job pressures with their wives. One day, they get drunk and end up at the police station in a drunk and drive case. At the same time, a famous heroine's kidnapping case surrounds them as suspects. What is the link between their frustration and the kidnapping case? Why do they call themselves "Tigers"? The story is.
Season 2: Season 1 continues from the cliffhanger. Ravi, Rahul, and Vikram, who were arrested in the kidnapping case of heroine Hamsalekha (Seerat Kapoor), come and get her released. They become friends with Hamsalekha. Ravi is busy with a project with Harika (Darshan Banik) to write a script for Rahul's Hamsalekha, Vikram for the corporator seat. On the other hand, their wives try to reform their husbands with the advice of psychologist Spandana (Satya Krishna). How did these new twists, MLA fraud, Rahul's writing dilemma, Vikram's love track go? What is the climax leading to season 3? This is the story.
My feelings: A feast of laughter, but a few lots!
When I saw the trailer of Save the Tigers, I thought it would be a clean family comedy with an F2 vibe, Priyadarshi-Abhinav comedy timing, and a thrill with a kidnapping twist. The first 4 episodes of season 1 (Mother's Day, Tiger's Meet, Tigers on TV, Dicky Dicky) were laugh-out-loud funny. Reviews from 123Telugu (3.25/5) and The Hindu (3.5/5) praised Priyadarshi, Abhinav, and Rohini's comedy and relatable situations. As a user on X wrote, "Abhinav-Rohini's maid scenes, Priyadarshi's dialogues were super, enjoyed it with the family!" I agree with the sentiment. While the first 3 episodes of Season 2 were hilarious, South First and CineJosh (2.75/5) criticized the 4th episode (10000 BC) as dragging. Cinema Express (3.5/5) said that Season 1 started lightheartedly and ended heavy, and the climax of Eenadu (Season 2) was not up to the mark. The IMDb rating is 8.4/10, and Reddit comments like “Season 1 was fun, but the last episode was forced” show mixed reactions. While Season 1 had relatable family issues, Season 2 had good emotional depth, repetitive scenes, logic errors (kidnapping, beauty parlor coincidence), and slow pace in Season 2 were somewhat disappointing.
Technical aspects, acting
Technically, Save the Tigers is strong. SV Vishweshwar’s cinematography shows Hyderabad city locations and gated communities realistically. Ajay Arasada’s BGM elevates the comedy and emotional scenes, but the songs are not that impressive. Shravan Katikaneni’s editing is crisp, but the middle episodes in Season 2 need to be tightened up. Mahi V Raghav and Pradeep Advaita's dialogues ("Wives turn tigers, we save tigers!") are funny and relatable. The production values are decent and suit the family audience.
Priyadarshi (Ghanta Ravi) is the strength of the film in acting. He impresses with his Telangana slang, comedy timing, and emotional scenes with his daughter as a dairy farmer. South First praised his "comic and dramatic skills". Abhinav Gomatham (Rahul) made people laugh with his tongue-in-cheek humor and scenes with Rohini (the maid). Gulte Review called Abhinav's track "the best". Chaitanya Krishna (Vikram) impressed with his soft-spoken husband and emotional expressions. Jordaar Sujatha, Pavani Gangireddy, and Devyani Sharma gave depth as wives, especially Devyani was perfect as a nagging lawyer. Rohini (maid), Gangavva, Harshavardhan, and Mukku Avinash generated fun in supporting roles. Seerat Kapoor and Darshana Banik did decent work in Season 2, but 123Telugu criticized their roles for lacking scope.
Likes, Dislikes
Likes:
Priyadarshi, Abhinav comedy: Both their timing and dialogue delivery made us laugh in Season 1 and 2.
Rohini Maid Track: Scenes with Abhinav are the highlight, lack of body shaming jokes is a plus.
Relatable Situations: Family issues, husband-wife arguments are realistic and funny.
Crisp Episodes: 30-minute episodes are perfect for binge-watching.
Emotional Depth: Ravi-daughter scenes, Vikram marriage dynamics are touching.
Dislikes:
Repetitive Scenes: Husband-wife arguments in Season 1, 10000 BC episode in Season 2 dragged.
Week Climax: Kidnapping in Season 1, Season 2 climax is forced and without logic.
Season 2 Slow Pace: 4th episode, pets discussions, Seerat Kapoor's role is underdeveloped.
Logical flaws: Beauty parlor coincidence, kidnapping sequence seems unconvincing.
Supporting roles scope: Rohini, Gangavva are good, Seerat, Darshana's roles are flat in Season 2.
Who can watch?
Save the Tigers is a super binge-watch for Priyadarshi, Abhinav Gomatham, Chaitanya Krishna fans, those who like comedies like F2, Jati Ratnalu, and OTT audience who enjoy with family. It has a U/A rating, clean comedy, mild slang, and relatable family drama, so youth and families can watch it on Disney+ Hotstar. On Reddit, a user wrote, “Season 1 first 5 episodes were fun, we laughed with the family,” which shows the vibe of the series. OTTPlay Review praised Season 2 for its “emotions, comedy balance.” However, those expecting high-energy comedy like Mr. Pregnant or angel-level thrills may find the series middling and repetitive. Eenadu suggested that “Season 2 climax is not up to the mark.”
Rating: 3.25/5
Save the Tigers impressed with Priyadarshi, Abhinav, Chaitanya comedy, Rohini maid track, relatable family situations, crisp episodes, emotional depth. However, repetitive scenes, weak climax, slow pace in season 2, and logic errors kept the series a half-success. Mahi V Raghav, Teja Kakumanu started with relatable comedy, but the script fell behind a bit in depth and climax impact. A fun watch for those looking for family comedy, but a disappointment for those expecting Jati Ratnalu level laughs!
Release Date: Season 1 - April 27, 2023; Season 2 - March 15, 2024 (Disney+ Hotstar)
Directors: Teja Kakumanu (Season 1), Arun Kothapalli (Season 2)
Cast: Priyadarshi, Abhinav Gomatham, Chaitanya Krishna, Jordar Sujatha, Pavani Gangireddy, Devayani Sharma, Seerat Kapoor, Darshana Banik
Rating: U/A (Comedy, Drama, Thriller)