Director Vishwajoy Mukherjee brings to the table a coming-of-age drama surrounding a group of young men who all join the military to find purpose in their lives. Taking place in 1998, just before the Kargil War, at a fictional Armed Forces Academy, we see these 5 men making memories and enjoying the lighter moments of life in a tough and disciplined atmosphere.
The series has 8 episodes, each with a runtime of around 35 minutes and is written by Adhaar Khurana & Sidharth Kumar.
Cadets Web Series Cast
Tanay Chheda, Tushar Shahi, Gautam Gujjar, Chayan Chopra
Cadets Review
JioCinema’s Cadets is a sweet and simple story wherein we watch four very different young men enjoy their lives in the Armed Forces Academy while also learning about taking responsibility and growing up. The series, with 8 short episodes, is a warm watch, one without many headaches or twists to keep you up at night. The storyline is simple and focuses on the day-to-day lives of these cadets as they learn and adjust to their new normal.
There’s something really simple and youthful about this JioCinema entry that, although not memorable, is quite a sweet watch. The lack of complexities is what differentiates it from other shows as well as the fact that it is set in the strict and authoritarian atmosphere of the military. The juxtaposition of these fun-loving men trying to get away with taking shortcuts and ultimately getting punished for it is hilarious and quite nostalgic for many. The eclectic group of men with different mischievous ideas also makes for entertaining banter and there’s enough chemistry among the four men to keep viewers invested in their journeys.
What makes this show so sweet is the fact that it doesn’t try to be anything more than a coming-of-age show, which can also be touted as one of its issues. If viewers want something different or unique, there’s not much here because the showcase of mischievous young men trying to get away with said mischief is not new in coming-of-age dramas. However, there are some takeaways and the mischief is quite harmless, making it more heartwarming than annoying.
I enjoyed the humour of Cadets quite a bit and there’s an innocence and genuineness about these young men that will get you to follow their character arcs. Everyone enters the academy with their own baggage, but their arcs are significant and impactful, leaving you to root for them further. However, in the last two episodes, I found the storyline to get a bit too far. I am still a bit confused about why the Kargil War needed to be added to the simple story because that was a significant and difficult time period in everyone’s lives that was not focused on too much. It felt like an afterthought and a plot device to move the story forward and although I am thankful that we didn’t see the kids marching into war, it felt like an unnecessary addition, personally.
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That being said, I think the performances will make this series a solid watch. All the young cadets feel like real people with their own little problems that they overcome throughout the course of the runtime. You believe in their silly fights and banter and their overwhelming need to belong in this new atmosphere. Chheda, as Manoj Mitra, is believably genuine with a big heart whose sincerity towards this profession will drive viewers to love him despite his flaws. The other three boys, Randhir, Albert and Neeraj, also feel like people you know around you, making them believable and appealing.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Cadets on JioCinema doesn’t do anything extraordinary nor is it particularly memorable. But there’s an infectious genuineness and sincerity in the series. Watching four men pulling pranks and just being their age in a strict and disciplinary environment like the military is always a sweet experience. It’s the sincere performances that set it apart as well as the character arcs. Although nothing happens that will leave you shocked or surprised, it’s a simple and heartfelt watch that is somehow oddly nostalgic.