It is often said that love cannot be defined or measured on any scale. However, when a young maths prodigy begins relying on calculus and algorithms to bring colour into his single mother’s life, the narrative sparks a certain curiosity. The series Ma Ka Sum, recently released on Amazon Prime Video, builds on this unusual premise. The title sounds catchy and witty, playing on the popular Hindi phrase Maa Kasam. Director Nicholas Kharkongor, known for Axone, attempts to untangle human relationships through mathematical formulas this time. Whether this “mathematical romance” connects emotionally or remains just a complex idea sits at the centre of this review.
Ma Ka Sum: Story
The story unfolds in Delhi, where a gifted student named Agastya, played by Mihir Ahuja, lives. His life revolves entirely around numbers and data. He is so driven by logic that he even convinces a student not to attempt suicide by using statistics to show that suffering is temporary. The real story begins when he notices the loneliness in his mother, Vineeta, played by Mona Singh. Vineeta works as a property agent and has set aside her own happiness for her son.
Agastya believes that just as he can solve complex mathematical problems, he can also find the perfect partner for his mother. Using dating apps and data, he creates a formula to match her likes and dislikes. This is where the central conflict begins. The screenplay, written by Ravinder Randhawa and Sumrit Shahi, tries to capture modern dating and Gen Z language. In the early episodes, the mix of the mother son bond and cool parenting feels fresh. However, as the show moves forward, Agastya’s concern slowly turns into control. He begins to restrict his mother’s independence within the limits of his algorithm, and this shift starts to feel uncomfortable.
Ma Ka Sum: Direction and Technical Aspects
Nicholas Kharkongor's direction feels underwhelming this time. The realism and energy seen in Axone are missing here. Although the series is set around Delhi University and Lodhi Colony, the city never feels fully alive. The visuals, from the campus to the interiors, often appear staged.
The editing is one of the weaker aspects. The show is stretched across eight episodes, which makes it seem like a longer show than it is. The use of mathematical graphs and formulas seems interesting at first, but the repetition becomes tedious. Instead of the story progressing, the mathematical aspects start to overshadow the plot. The show is trying to be informative, which detracts from the emotional aspects. There are a few instances where the show does not seem to reflect the realities of the place, which is Delhi.
Ma Ka Sum: Acting
The strongest aspect of the series is Mona Singh. From her days in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin to now, she has grown immensely as an actor. As Vineeta, she plays a single mother who is both modern and emotionally vulnerable. The conflict between her love for her son and her own desires reflects clearly in her expressions. Whenever she appears on screen, she brings some stability to the otherwise uneven narrative. She stands out especially in moments where she quietly asserts her independence.
Mihir Ahuja takes on a challenging role as Agastya. While he is a capable actor, the character itself feels inconsistent. At times he appears innocent, and at others he comes across as arrogant and even toxic. Although he captures the traits of a maths obsessed student, the writing does not always allow the audience to connect with him.
Among the supporting cast, Ranveer Brar shares a warm and easy chemistry with Vineeta. His presence offers some relief in the narrative. Angira Dhar tries to make an impression as a professor, but her role feels limited. Celesti Bairagey does well as Agastya's girlfriend, though her character often feels stuck in a constant state of irritation.
Ma Ka Sum: The Underwhelming Aspects
The biggest flaw in the show is the excessive use of mathematics. The show could have used mathematics as a means to tell the story, but instead, it is the other way around. The excessive use of complex jargon becomes tedious at some point. The show does touch on a few important issues like contraceptives, mental health and intimacy, but only superficially.
The character of Agastya is a problem. His attempt at organising his mother's life is not only controlling but is done in a patriarchal fashion. The show does not question this strongly enough and often presents it too lightly, which feels out of place.
Ma Ka Sum: Verdict
Ma Ka Sum begins with a strong and interesting idea, exploring whether logic and technology can replace human emotion, but it gets tangled in its own complexity. It works neither as a complete family drama nor as a convincing love story. Despite Mona Singh's strong performance and an initially fresh concept, the series struggles with its length and repetitive ideas.
It may work as a one time watch for those who enjoy light family moments. However, if you are looking for something that truly connects or leaves a lasting impression, this may disappoint. Ma Ka Sum raises an interesting question, but even the makers seem unsure of the answer. Mona Singh keeps it from falling apart completely, but she cannot carry it all the way through.
Hence, Ma Ka Sum only deserves 2 out of 5 stars.
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