Ah, the joys of first love — butterflies in the stomach, secret looks, home-tuition classes, “will she notice me?” moments. Tharagathi Gadhi Daati takes us back to that time, albeit with the awkwardness, the mistakes and the “what I should have said” regrets intact. Set in a small town, this Telugu-language web series explores teenage romance with a refreshing innocence. But don’t mistake it for just another love-story — there’s local flavour, school pressure, parental expectations, and the sweet chaos of growing up. Whether you’re feeling nostalgic for your own first crush or simply in the mood for a breezy romance, this show has you covered. Let’s dive deeper — but first, a quick snapshot!
Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Title | Tharagathi Gadhi Daati |
| Release / Platform | premiered 20 August 2021 on OTT platform Aha (Telugu) |
| Genre | Teen Drama / Romance with school/college backdrop |
| Language | Telugu |
| Director | Mallik Ram |
| Producer | Kolla Praveen & Anurabh Kumar (The Viral Fever / Kolla Entertainments) |
| Key Cast | Harshith Reddy (Kittu), Payal Radhakrishna (Jasmine), Nikhil Devadula (Ravi) |
| Episodes / Season | Season 1, approx 5 episodes (each about ~22 minutes) |
| Short Plotline | Kittu, a student obsessed with cooking more than grades, falls for Jasmine when she joins his tuition class. As their friendship blossoms, life intervenes in unexpected ways. |
Story & Key Themes
At its core, Tharagathi Gadhi Daati (literally “Crossing the Classroom Door”) isn’t just about a crush — it’s about the world around it. Kittu, our protagonist, is a bright student but more interested in cooking than acing exams. When Jasmine enters his world via tuition classes, his emotions awaken. Add to this his best friend Ravi and the pressures of parents and school, and you’ve got a tale many of us know all too well.
The themes that shine through:
- First love & innocence — the flutter when someone new joins class, the unanswered glances, the hope and the fear.
- Peer pressure & aspiration — Kittu wants to cook rather than chase ranks; the world (and his father’s expectations) want the opposite.
- Small-town charm — the setting is local, real, and relatable: tuition centres, friends bike-riding, playful banter.
- Growing up & decisions — what happens when you like someone, but life asks you to pick a path? The show touches on that junction.
- Youth humour & awkwardness — the jokes, the nervous silences, the “how to impress her” planning sessions. All good fun.
What I like is how the series doesn’t try to be bigger than life — it stays grounded in adolescent moments that ring true. Yet, it also sprinkles in the hope and emotion of youthful romance.
Cast & Characters
Let’s meet the folks who bring this world alive:
- Harshith Reddy as Kittu — shy, earnest, passionate about cooking rather than grades. His transformation from clueless crush to someone who truly cares is central.
- Payal Radhakrishna as Jasmine — new, confident, someone who shakes up the world around her. Her presence unsettles Kittu’s steady routine.
- Nikhil Devadula as Ravi — Kittu’s friend, his foil, the one who often voices what Kittu cannot say out loud.
The performances are noted as “bang on point” by reviewers — in particular the young leads, who carry the show’s charm.
Director & Production Notes
Directed by Mallik Ram, the series captures the small-town classroom vibe with a fresh lens. The folks behind it — The Viral Fever and Kolla Entertainments — have taken the original Hindi web series “Flames” and given it a Telugu makeover, adding local flavour and context.
Visually, the show captures the mood: tuition centres, bikes, friends hanging out, first dates under trees. The music by Naren RK Siddhartha supports the teenage emotional highs and lows.
Critics observe that while the story is familiar, the relatability and innocence make it pleasant. Some feel the conflict could have been stronger, but for a breezy watch of youthful love, it works.
Timing & Viewing Info
Released on 20 August 2021, this series is available on the OTT platform Aha, mainly for Telugu-language viewers.
With around 5 episodes of about 22 minutes each, it’s ideal for a one-evening binge if you’re in the mood. Whether you’re relaxing after a long day or looking for something light but meaningful, this fits the bill. Also, being in Telugu, it opens a nice window into regional web-series for those comfortable with subtitles or Telugu audio.
Why You Might (or Might Not) Watch
Why you might watch:
- You’re nostalgic for first love, school days and awkward crushes.
- You prefer compact series — not 100 episodes, but a short journey in one sitting.
- You enjoy youth-centric stories with authentic emotions and local flavour.
Why you might skip or approach cautiously:
- If you prefer high-drama, plot-twist heavy sagas — this is more gentle and simple.
- If you don’t like subtitles or are not comfortable with other regional-language content (unless dubbed).
- If you expect major cinematic production values — this is modest, honest, relatable.
Final Thoughts
Tharagathi Gadhi Daati doesn’t pretend to be a grand epic—it’s quiet, sweet, and rooted in the teen experience. It reminds you of the flutter of first love, the local tuition centre gossip, the excitement of a new face in class. If you’re ready for a feel-good series that feels real, this is it. On the other hand, if you’re craving big twists, heavy stakes or epic storytelling, you might wish for more.
