Released on March 7, 2025, Dupahiya is a Hindi-language comedy-drama that pedals its way into the crowded rural-comedy genre with a mix of charm, quirk, and a touch of heart. Set in the fictional Bihar village of Dhadakpur—proudly dubbed the “Belgium of Bihar” for its 25-year crime-free streak—this nine-episode series, directed by Sonam Nair and crafted by writers Chirag Garg and Avinash Dwivedi, spins a tale around a stolen motorbike that threatens a wedding, a jubilee celebration, and the village’s spotless reputation. With an ensemble cast featuring Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Sparsh Shrivastava, Shivani Raghuvanshi, and Bhuvan Arora, Dupahiya aims to blend humor with social commentary—but does it ride smoothly or hit a few bumps along the way?

The premise is delightfully simple: Banwari Jha (Gajraj Rao), a humble schoolteacher, buys a Royal Enfield Classic 350 as a dowry gift for his daughter Roshni’s (Shivani Raghuvanshi) wedding to the Mumbai-based Kuber (Avinash Dwivedi). When the bike vanishes just eight days before the big day, the village erupts into a frenzy of hilarious misadventures. Roshni’s brother Bhugol (Sparsh Shrivastava) and her ex-lover Amavas (Bhuvan Arora) lead the charge to recover the “dupahiya,” while the pragmatic pradhaan Pushplata (Renuka Shahane) scrambles to keep the theft under wraps. Throw in a zealous cop (Yashpal Sharma) sniffing out trouble, and you’ve got a recipe for chaos that’s equal parts absurd and endearing.

The series’ biggest strength is its cast. Gajraj Rao is the beating heart of Dupahiya, delivering a performance that’s both understated and uproarious as the everyman caught in a whirlwind of bad luck. Renuka Shahane brings gravitas and warmth to Pushplata, proving she’s a force in any role, while Sparsh Shrivastava and Bhuvan Arora inject youthful energy and impeccable comedic timing into their odd-couple dynamic. Shivani Raghuvanshi’s Roshni is a quiet standout, subtly conveying her character’s yearning for agency in a world of tradition. The ensemble is rounded out by Komal Kushwaha as Nirmal, whose arc tackles colorism with sensitivity, and Yashpal Sharma, whose over-the-top cop adds a dash of spice.

Visually, Dupahiya captures the rustic charm of rural Bihar with authenticity—think dusty lanes, mooing buffalo, and power cuts that force rooftop sleepovers. The cinematography by Piyush Puty is crisp, and Somesh Saha’s breezy score keeps the tone light. The dialogue, peppered with witty one-liners and Bihari colloquialisms, lands most of its punches, though the English subtitles struggle to capture the full flavor. Lines like “Sheher mein apna dukh apna, gaon mein sabka dukh ek” (“In the city, your sorrow is yours alone; in the village, it belongs to everyone”) beautifully encapsulate the show’s ode to community.

Where Dupahiya wobbles is in its ambition to juggle comedy with social critique. It takes aim at dowry, gender roles, and societal beauty standards, but these themes often feel like pit stops rather than fully explored destinations. The pacing dips midway, with some subplots—like the groom’s obsession with the bike—stretching thin, and the humor occasionally veers into forced slapstick territory. Comparisons to Panchayat are inevitable, and while Dupahiya carves its own lane, it lacks the razor-sharp consistency of its predecessor. The finale ties up loose ends a bit too neatly, missing a chance to leave a deeper imprint.

Still, Dupahiya is a breath of fresh air in an OTT landscape cluttered with gritty thrillers. It’s clean, family-friendly fun—boasting “na gaali, na gola” (no abuses, no bullets)—and its heartland humor is infectious. It may not reinvent the wheel (or the two-wheeler), but it’s a charming ride that leaves you smiling, even if it doesn’t always hit top gear.

Ratings:
Storyline: 3.5/5 – A simple yet engaging plot that stumbles slightly in execution.
Performances: 4.5/5 – The ensemble shines, with Gajraj Rao and the young leads stealing the show.
Direction: 3.5/5 – Sonam Nair keeps it breezy but could tighten the reins on pacing.
Cinematography & Music: 4/5 – Visually appealing with a fitting, upbeat score.
Overall: 4/5 – A delightful, feel-good watch that’s worth the journey, bumps and all.

Dupahiya is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video—perfect for a lazy weekend binge.