'Single Papa’ breaks down stereotypes around maternal instincts with compassion and care

In the modern times, the concept of motherhood has always been debatable with women questioning that why it is only a mother's responsibility to take care or bring up a child. While most men and most mothers argue that men don't have "motherly instincts" in them, the new Netflix series "Single Papa" breaks or rather challenges that myth. You must have heard the saying "If he wants it, he would do it", and that's exactly what this series vouches for. 

We meet Gaurav Gehlot (Kunal Kemmu) who, like most of the men out there, believes that a human's life has only a few purposes - do well in school, do well in college, secure a good job, get married, have a kid, retire, marry these kids off and die. He's from an affluent family, so, he can afford to not have a goal or dream of his own. Being a pampered rich kid, everything was served on a platter for him, like literally, but he failed in recognising his wife's needs, which leads to them parting ways. She states that she cannot bring up a child with a man-child. But Gaurav is adamant to have a child - at first to prove that he is enough to do the job that usually takes two or more. 

But the journey for Gaurav to become a single parent wasn't going to be easy because the concept of a single man bringing up a child continues to stay a stigma in the Indian society, and with a sister who's about to get married whose in-laws are super narrow-minded, the idea wasn't viable for anyone. But Gaurav has an unconventional meet cute with the cutest little kid - who he names Amul as he's found in an Amul carton - and he just instantly forms a bond with him. But Gaurav's life turns upside down when Amul ends up in the adoption centre - and follows next is a journey full of laughter and emotions. 

However, in this whole topsy-turvy journey, Gaurav aka Kunal shows us how motherly instincts are not necessarily gender specific. He does everything a woman is capable of, and some things, even better. He even goes against his own parents, and learns to be self-reliant for the sake of being a father - a role he desperately wanted in his life. Another stereotype that the series breaks beautifully is the concept of nannies - a role that is usually played by women. Gaurav hires a male nanny - played by Dayanand Shetty, who is popular for his masculine role in the most popular TV series CID. The actor, who is known for his iconic act of breaking doors at crime scenes, is seen in the most softest avatar where he takes care of the baby like his own and bestows the baby with utmost care and love. 

In the series, the makers also changed the perception that men don't wear pink. Gaurav aka Kunal is mostly seen in the shades of pink or summer colours. His house is blinding pink - indicating that the house and people in it thrive in love. They definitely made pink the new colour of what they call a "green flag" - and Gaurav aka Kunal Kemmu is sure one on the screen. And his bond with his own daughter guarantees that he's the coolest father off-screen too. 

It sensitises viewers about motherhood or fatherhood without being preachy, but it sure makes me ask one question- what's stopping the fathers to embrace the maternal instincts in them?