Survival: the reason we’re not extinct. When you take the oldest thing - survival - in the world and juxtapose it with the newest technology you get the show Stupid Man, Smart Phone. Adapting the BBC format, the desi version has taken the concept, put in Sumeet Vyas in the titular role of the Stupid Man, handed him a smart phone and a guest companion, in an unknown land.
Surviving with the help of a smart phone, Sumeet and Evelyn Sharma are given the task of delivering medicine to an isolated village in the middle of a dense forest.
Now I’ve watched 3 episodes (1 mission), and I have to say, it’s quite an engrossing show. But, the most important thing is that it’s so relatable. There is such a thing as surviving with merely your smartphone, and we’ve all had to experience it at one point or the other.
As Sumeet Vyas and his guest companion, Evelyn Sharma, set out to complete the show’s first mission, a crew member comes in to takes away all their gear. And that is when you see the first pangs of frustration strike the two contestants. Sumeet’s annoyance is visible on his face when the crew takes away his extra pair of clothing and snacks. The crew does the same with Evelyn’s extra items that aren’t required to survive. Eventually, they’re both left with very basic gear - one that consists of a smartphone and a good internet connection.
Off they go, into a dense jungle full of snakes, spiders and elephants.
Now, this is where the Smart Phone comes in. Our unlikely adventurers come up with all sorts of innovative ways to survive without prior knowledge of being in the wild. Evelyn, for example takes pictures of fruits and asks her social media followers if the fruits are edible or not. The makers also added a proverbial lifeline on the show - online maps and survival experts - because where have you heard of a phone aiding in lighting a fire?
You know the thing that cracks me up? The little moments where you can see the duo accomplish something and celebrate those small victories. Like singing and dancing to Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive as they light a fire for the first time. And the other times when Evelyn forgets about the task at hand and simply enjoys being in the wild, enjoying the weather, chasing butterflies.
Another incident that is testament to this fact is when Sumeet spots a snake, he just stands there stunned, asking Evelyn why she’s so amused to see it. These moments are sparse, but when they appear, are immensely enjoyable. Sample this:
We just met, now you want to share a tent with me?Evelyn Sharma to Sumeet Vyas
Yes, there are a lot of brands mentioned on the show, for promotional purposes, of course, but amazingly, there are also cuss words that haven’t been beeped out. Usually, when there are brands mentions on a show, they prefer it if they’re PG-13. I’m not saying that this one isn’t, but words like beh***hod and f*ck are in plenty and un-beeped which makes the show a lot more relatable.
Another thing that deserves a mention is the camera work on the show. The shots that pan into the wilderness are amazing and provide an immersive experience to those of us watching it. I found it difficult to look away from my screen, even though I work 5 feet away from a live studio. But wait, I’m not all praises for the show. Firstly, the makers have managed to irritate me by cutting a one-hour episode into 3 episodes. Secondly, brands are mentioned way too many times. Iska phone, uska network. No one really cares.
But, all things considered, this a web-series to watch.
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