Lafangey review: These misfits nail the collision of dreams, friendship and harsh realities to give us a grounded take on adulting!

Lafangey makes the struggles of growing up feel real like never before and reminds us that there aren't any losers in life, just strugglers learning how to live it! 

Adulting, a word as hard to define as it is to live. We write essays about it, share memes to laugh through the chaos, and find comfort in knowing others are struggling too. But truthfully, most of us aren’t in the same boat; we’re in the water, just trying to stay afloat. The quotes on our walls about hope and dreams start to feel like taunts, as dreams drift out of reach and hope loses its way. Because the harsh reality of growing up is learning the cost of dreams—how steep they are, how far they lie and then practical hope is all we can hold on to. It’s the part of adulthood no one wants to say out loud. But Lafangey: Sapne, Dosti aur Duniya doesn’t pretend otherwise. It’s not a story about making it big; it’s about surviving. About the grind. It’s one of those rare shows that doesn’t try to lift you up; instead, it sits with you on the ground. Because not everyone gets to fly. Lakhon mein ek hota hai, sure, but what about the rest of the lakhon? Lafangey is about them. Not failures, just people still learning how to breathe while underwater.

It follows the story of three childhood friends—Rohan (Gagan Arora), Kamlesh (Harsh Beniwal), and Chaitanya (Anud Singh Dhaka), who live in Delhi. Coming from humble backgrounds, each of them has big dreams. Rohan aspires to land a well-paying corporate job so he can settle down with his girlfriend Ishita (Barkha Singh) in a live-in relationship. Kamlesh, the son of a wrestler-turned-grocery shop owner, dreams of becoming an actor. Chaitanya, the genius of the group, prepares for competitive exams in the hope of securing a government job that will help him pay off his father’s debts and improve his family’s circumstances. But life has other plans. Rohan ends up working as a salesperson, Kamlesh struggles to make it in Mumbai’s Versova, and Chaitanya’s brilliant mind leads him into the world of betting. Each of them faces setbacks and challenges: Rohan tries desperately to keep his relationship afloat, Kamlesh does whatever it takes to pursue stardom, and Chaitanya, intoxicated by success and ego, strives to make it big in betting.

Also Read: Kankhajura review: Roshan Matthew carries a middling TV drama on his back for as long as he can!

Written and directed by Abhishek Yadav and his team, the six-episode show takes its time and space to develop organically. It begins by establishing the backdrop introducing the three characters, their history, their environment, and their personal struggles with a strong sense of nuance. Each character is shaped by their surroundings, not in spite of them. Rohan is the younger brother who has always lived in the shadow of his elder sibling—a textbook example of the middle-class man: lonely, dutiful, and self-sacrificing for the sake of the family. Chaitanya is a smart, hardworking boy constantly crushed by the system of government jobs, either he fails the exams, or when he clears them, there are no vacancies. Kamlesh, on the other hand, lives in a dream world, unaware of the intense competition outside and blind to his own limitations.

That’s why as the story progresses and each one of them makes a difficult decision, it feels almost inevitable. Frustrated Rohan moves out of his home, tired Kamlesh betrays someone to grab an opportunity, and harrased Chaitanya turns down a job offer. Each one is trying to prove, to themselves more than anyone else, that they can make something of their lives, especially when they are choosing to do something different. But just as much as the characters are shaped by their setting, the setting is also built around them. With Rohan, we witness the strain of being in a relationship where economics and aspirations are imbalanced, leading the cracks to the surface. Through Kamlesh, we see the harsh reality behind the glamorous dream of becoming an actor—shorcuts leading nowhere and the relentless brutal grind of chasing stardom makes most give up along the way. With Chaitanya, we enter the high-stakes world of betting, where success comes fast, but a single misstep and arrogance is enough to bring everything crashing down. 

But the true beauty of this series lies in its exploration of the burden of growing up. It captures the heartbreaking realization that merit alone isn’t always enough in this world where even the most educated may end up as taxi drivers or delivery agents. Happiness feels elusive: corporate workers are often lonely, the money never seems sufficient, and dignity or respect is hard to come by in life. And alongside the personal weight, there’s also the added emotional pressure of watching one’s parents age and fall ill just as you’re beginning to live your own life. The immense burden of home, responsibility, and ambition becomes overwhelming, especially when you’re holding on to the dream of becoming somebody in this world. That’s where the show strikes a deep, resonant chord making you feel seen and heard. Gagan Arora and Anud Singh Dhaka are a treat to watch, bringing a lived-in authenticity to their roles. But the real surprise is Harsh Beniwal as the big-hearted Kamlesh, seamlessly blending comedy with emotion. Barkha Singh and Saloni Gaur, along with the ever-charming Rajan Raj, also deliver strong, memorable performances.

At the end of the day, adulting is hard. It takes a lot to grow up, to accept that the grind never really ends, but with the right people by your side, it becomes a little easier. That it’s okay to choose yourself. It’s okay to walk away if things don’t work out. It’s okay to prioritize your loved ones over your passion. And that there’s no room for ego when it comes to family. It takes many mistakes to reach a point where you can finally accept the truth that jitna prapt hai, utna paryapt hai. These Lafangey’s with their sapne, dosti, and duniya ka gyaan, are here to remind us of that as well as that growing up is just about you changing even if the world around you remains the same! 

Lafangey is currently streaming on Amazon MX Player!

For more reviews, follow us on @socialketchupbinge.