Exploring the Sophomore Season of Four More Shots Please: A Desi Spin on Urban Life and Friendship

From the outset, Four More Shots Please emanated an air of pretension.

Now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Four More Shots Please Season 2 presents a continuation of its narrative.

Reflecting on the inaugural season of Four More Shots Please, echoes of Sex and the City resounded faintly. While lacking a distinct edge, the creators navigated their chosen course with a semblance of clarity. Once again, the spotlight falls on four women navigating the complexities of urban life, bolstered by the unwavering support of their closest confidantes. As Season 1 drew to a close, fractures emerged in their camaraderie, setting the stage for the unfolding drama of Season 2.

Having delved into the initial three episodes of the sophomore season, a realization dawned regarding the allure of this series. Beyond the obligations of my role, Four More Shots Please exudes a certain effortlessness, rendering it effortlessly consumable. Unlike its counterparts, this show doesn’t command undivided attention. While it occasionally teeters into cringe-worthy territory, such moments are to be expected from a series aspiring to channel the spirit of SATC in a landscape vastly altered since its inception over two decades ago. For full disclosure, I am an ardent admirer of SATC.

Turning our attention to the unfolding narrative of Four More Shots Please Season 2, the premiere whisks viewers away to Istanbul, where Maanvi Gagroo’s Siddhi Patel grapples with an existential quandary. Despite lingering tensions stemming from the Season 1 finale, rifts are swiftly reconciled as the quartet embarks on a journey to Turkey.

In terms of character development, the arcs of Kriti Kulhari’s Anjana, Sayani Gupta’s Damini, and Bani J’s Umang boast compelling trajectories both personally and professionally. While the overt exposition through actions and dialogue may appear heavy-handed, it appears the creators prioritize accessibility over subtlety.

Siddhi’s trajectory this season takes an intriguing turn, depicting her as a privileged individual navigating the complexities of finding purpose. From distributing pamphlets for her bakery at Marine Drive to offering beauty tutorials on the internet, her endeavors are met with mixed success. A poignant moment arises as her friends struggle to enumerate her skills, leaving her adrift as she embarks on a new career path with the support of an unlikely mentor. It appears her journey may parallel that of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

In terms of performances, Bani J’s discomfort is palpable on screen, particularly in scenes shared with the three other principal characters. However, the ensemble cast, including Kriti Kulhari, Sayani Gupta, Maanvi Gagroo, Milind Soman, Neil Bhoopalam, Amrita Puri, and Prateik Babbar, deliver commendable performances.

Despite its persistent veneer of pretension, Amazon Prime Video’s Four More Shots Please remains consistent in its essence. If the inaugural season captivated your interest, the second season promises to ensnare your attention just as effortlessly.