Single Papa Review: Kunal Kemmu’s journey as a single dad is chaotic, witty, and heartwarming

Kunal Kemmu starrer Single Papa

Single Papa, directed by Shashank Khaitan, Hitesh Kewalya, and Neeraj Udhwani, began streaming on Netflix from 12th December and stars Kunal Kemmu, Manoj Pahwa, Ayesha Raza, Prajakta Koli, Suhail Nayyar, Neha Dhupia, and Dayanand Shetty.

‘Single Papa’ is a smart and witty show that delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments while quietly carrying an important message about male single parenting. It blends entertainment with emotion in a way that feels easy and natural. Set around the wealthy Gehlot family from Gurgaon, the series tackles the topic of a single man trying to adopt a child.

Though the subject matter of this series sounds serious, the show keeps its mood light and engaging, using humour to talk about a sensitive issue. Across six crisp episodes, it manages to say a lot without ever feeling heavy. Strong performances, a sharp script, and confident direction by Shashank Khaitan, Hitesh Kewalya, and Neeraj Udhwani make it an enjoyable watch.

The story centres on the Gehlots. Jatin Gehlot (Manoj Pahwa) runs a chain of wine shops and is supported by his son Gaurav (Kunal Kemmu) in his business. Jatin’s wife, Poonam (Ayesha Raza), looks after the household, while their daughter, Namrata (Prajakta Koli), is eager to marry her boyfriend, Goldie, after a broken first engagement. The family’s life is shaken when Gaurav’s wife, Aparna (Isha Talwar), decides to walk out of the marriage because he wants a child and she does not. Things take a dramatic turn when Gaurav finds a newborn baby abandoned in his car. Moved by the child’s innocence, he decides to adopt the baby. What follows is a tough journey filled with legal hurdles and strong resistance from his own family.

The series works well because of Ishita Moitra’s solid writing and Shashank Khaitan’s steady vision as show creator. The dialogues are sharp and often remind you of the better David Dhawan comedies. The pacing is brisk, and there is hardly a dull moment. Each character gets enough space to shine, and the energy of the show never dips. Set in Gurugram, the series largely captures the feel of the city and its people. The exchanges within the Gehlot family feel real, moving naturally between love, anger and everyday conflicts.

The performances are a big strength. Manoj Pahwa, Kunal Kemmu, and Prajakta Koli all deliver with confidence. Kunal Kemmu looks completely at ease as Gaurav, a man determined to become a father at any cost. His comic timing adds warmth to the show. Manoj Pahwa once again proves his strong presence on streaming platforms and stands out in most of his scenes. Prajakta Koli will connect well with younger viewers, while Ayesha Raza is effective with her role and ‘English’ accent. Among the supporting cast, Suhail Nayyar as Gaurav’s friend and Dayanand Shetty as Parbat Singh leave a strong impression. Suhail’s quirky nature and Shetty’s tender moments with the baby are especially endearing.

‘Single Papa’ maintains a light tone throughout and never feels emotionally draining. Even its confrontations are softened with humour, which works in its favour. Some of the sets, especially the Gehlot house and the baby’s room, appear overly neat and staged, which can feel a bit unnatural at times. Still, these are small flaws in an otherwise smooth viewing experience. In the end, ‘Single Papa’ is a warm, funny, and heartfelt story about family, responsibility and choice. It leaves you with a smile and a gentle reminder that parenting has many forms, and all of them deserve respect.