Cast: Kunal Kemmu, Neha Dhupia, Manoj Pahwa, Ayesha Raza Khan, Prajakta Koli, Dayanand Shetty, and others
Creators: Ishita Moitra, Neeraj Udhwani
Director: Shashank Khaitan, Hitesh Kewalya
Streaming On: Netflix
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 6 episodes, approx. 45 minutes each
Star Rating: 3/5
Netflix’s Single Papa arrives wrapped in warmth, humour, and festive family-drama vibes, continuing December’s trend of feel-good domestic storytelling. With Kunal Kemmu at the centre, the series takes on an interesting and socially relevant subject single fatherhood and male adoption but struggles to explore it with the emotional depth it promises.
At its heart, Single Papa follows Gaurav Gehlot, a carefree, emotionally sheltered man who wants nothing more than to become a father. Fresh off a divorce, where he’s labelled a “man-child,” Gaurav’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters an abandoned toddler and forms an instant bond. What follows is his determined (and often chaotic) journey to legally adopt the child while battling social stigma, rigid systems, and his own immaturity.
The show deserves credit for choosing this premise. Stories around single mothers are more common, while narratives focusing on men navigating parenthood alone are still rare in mainstream Hindi entertainment. Single Papa opens the door to that conversation, even if it doesn’t walk all the way through.
Kunal Kemmu is undoubtedly the show’s strongest pillar. He brings sincerity, innocence, and comic timing to Gaurav, making the character likable even when his decisions feel questionable. His scenes with the child form the emotional backbone of the series, and it’s in these quieter, softer moments that the show truly breathes.
Dayanand Shetty’s entry as a male nanny is another highlight. His character subtly challenges traditional notions of masculinity and caregiving, offering some of the series’ most thoughtful lines and heartfelt moments. Manoj Pahwa and Ayesha Raza Khan also deliver dependable performances, adding familiarity and emotional weight to the dysfunctional family setup.
The show maintains a breezy tone throughout, balancing humour with sentiment. A few scenes smartly shift from loud comedy to emotional confrontation, hinting at what the series could have been with tighter writing.
Where Single Papa falters is depth. The writing often skims the surface, touching important themes gender roles, adoption laws, emotional responsibility without fully unpacking them. Conflicts are introduced but resolved too quickly, making many moments feel convenient rather than earned.
Neha Dhupia’s adoption officer, meant to be a strong counterpoint to Gaurav, is written more as an obstacle than a fully realised character. Similarly, the ensemble cast is underutilised; several characters remain sketches rather than evolving personalities.
Visually, the show carries a glossy, slightly artificial Netflix sheen that occasionally distances viewers from the emotional reality of the story. Some performances particularly those pitched at a higher comic note feel tonally inconsistent with the rest of the cast.
Single Papa is a well-intentioned, pleasant watch that shines in moments but never quite soars. It starts as a light family comedy, flirts with emotional depth, and settles somewhere in between. While it doesn’t fully explore the complexities of single fatherhood, it succeeds as a conversation starter and offers a refreshing portrayal of tenderness in masculinity.
If you’re looking for a warm, easy-going series with a strong central performance and a meaningful message albeit lightly explored Single Papa makes for a decent watch.