Sweet Kaaram Coffee Review: The Tamil language Prime Video series stars Lakshmi as Sundari, Madhoo as Kaveri, Santhy Balachandran as Niveditha/Nivi, and Kevin Jay Babu as Rajaratnam, Dev as Karthik, Vamsi Krishna as Vikram, Bala Suresh as Bala, and others. The series is directed by Krishna Marimuthu, Swati Raghuraaman, and Bejoy Nambiar. It is co-written by Reshma Ghatala, Vinithra Madhavan Menon, Krishnaswamy Ramkumar, and Swathi.
There are a total of eight episodes of 40–55 minutes. The series has English subtitles.
Amazon Prime Video Series Sweet Kaaram Coffee Contains No Spoilers
Three women of different generations—Sundari (the eldest), her daughter-in-law Kaveri, and her daughter Nivi—plan an impromptu trip together. The trio is tired of living for others and always being asked to prioritise other people’s happiness over their own. Throughout, we see them savouring every moment and getting to know each other and themselves better. The trip is an emotional roller coaster where they meet new people and make some amazing memories.
Sweet Kaaram Coffee on Prime Video has a gloomy start. While Sundari is a widow, seeing what’s happening to Kaveri and Nivi leaves you frustrated. Just like in the movie The Great Indian Kitchen, all Kaveri does is cook and do household chores while her husband underappreciates her. Nivi, an aspiring sportswoman, is told by her boyfriend Karthik to choose between their relationship and cricket, as his mother won’t be pleased to have a cricketer daughter-in-law.
The trip, meant as escapism, slowly transforms into a life-changing experience. Sundari, the eldest, is most eager to leave but hides why she wants to go out. In search of what they want, we see the three women travelling from the south to the centre to the northern side of the country. What remains constant in the story is how they meet wonderful people and cherish everything, despite the ongoing hurdles. The conversations, sweet quarrels, picturesque views, and Sundari’s big secret keep you hooked on the story.
The intention was mainly to give these characters a bigger and better picture of life. To open up and influence their minds to put themselves first. My favourite part was Kaveri’s backstory and how talented she is! It breaks the heart even more that she lost all these years being just a wife and making sacrifices because that was expected of her due to her gender. Kaveri spends half of her trip feeling guilty for going against her husband’s wish. It’s just sad to watch her feel that way. The conclusion to her story reminded me of Sridevi’s English Vinglish.
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Throughout the trip, Nivi was in a dilemma about her love for a man and her love for cricket. Nivi deeply feels the joy playing cricket brings her. She also meets new people who wouldn’t expect her to change. But in the end, it’s her decision what she wants. Sundari’s story is a big spoiler, so I will avoid revealing it directly. However, I did predict what she sought because it has become a common twist in more stories lately.
Prime Video’s Sweet Kaaram Coffee has some mesmerising songs in Hindi and Tamil. However, the series also went over the top when it introduced two foreigners and when the narrative shifted to Manali. It is something we can expect only in films. That’s the only time the series loses touch with its rawness while telling the tale of these three women.
When it comes to performances, actor Lakshmi as Sundari, the eldest of the family, makes you laugh a lot. She performs incredibly and makes Sundari a cool, fun, and determined person. Actor Madhoo is commendable as Kaveri, who deserves the best. Kaveri loses her true self while being a wife and mother for decades. But when Kaveri unleashes her true self, Madhoo makes you admire and cheer for her. Her naivety due to inexperience makes you chuckle sometimes. Santhy Balachandran balances Nivi’s headstrong and emotional qualities and delivers a good performance. The rest of the cast also does an amazing job.
Sweet Kaaram Coffee Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, you should make time in your busy schedule to enjoy Sweet Kaaram Coffee. It’s a series that the whole family can relish. The show illustrates how each family member has their own life while also exposing society’s irrational expectations of women. It shows that even though people may have lived together for a long time, that does not necessarily mean they are fully connected.
Occasionally, a road trip may help you gain perspective and regain control over your life. Even though the Manali part of the series takes an unrealistic turn, the rest is good. The trip of escapism blossoms into a life-altering experience that shouldn’t be missed.
The series is now streaming on Prime Video.