The more we assume things have changed, the more they probably have not, at least not for everyone. While some urban homes and schools have moved beyond awkward ‘birds and bees’ conversations to adopt a more pragmatic approach to sex education, the subject remains taboo in many households. In a remote village, those conversations become even harder. Super Subbu, Netflix’s first Telugu original series, directed by Mallik Ram and starring Sundeep Kishan in the title role, builds an engaging drama around this premise.Some of the early scenes evoke school days when teachers would skip sex education lessons to avoid uncomfortable giggles in the classroom. They also reveal the unease many educators themselves feel around the subject.Mallik Ram, who has co-written the series with Ramesh Eligeti and Shivani Dhobal, understands that conversations around sex education, menstrual health and family planning remain relevant, even if cinema has touched on them before. He tells the story of Subbu, or Subramanyam Chilukuri (Sundeep Kishan), a sex education officer posted to a remote village in Telangana, with humour. The tone recalls Vicky Donor, transplanted to a rustic setting. While some jokes are risqué, they never descend into crassness.At its heart, Super Subbu is anchored in a father-son dynamic that will feel familiar to many who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s. A father who recoils at any discussion of sex. A curious adolescent son sneaking a look at magazines, only to be caught. Murali Sharma, making his web-series debut, is pitch-perfect as Kukkuteshwar Rao, Subbu’s authoritarian father and a schoolteacher who dismisses sex education as “pure, unadulterated nonsense.”Super Subbu (Telugu)Director: Mallik RamCast: Sundeep Kishan, Mithila Palkar, Murali Sharma, Manasa ChoudharyEpisodes: 7Storyline: When a sex education officer enters a village notorious for its lack of family planning, how does he manage an uphill task?He is the complete opposite of his son, Subbu, who quietly endures the constant barbs while trying to become the son his father would approve of. The tension between the two, established in the opening episode, is compelling enough to anchor the rest of the series.The seven-episode drama truly finds its footing when the story shifts to a village notorious for its poor family planning practices. Subbu’s unenviable assignment as a sex education officer unfolds alongside a long-distance romance with his girlfriend, played by Manasa Choudhary.The village is portrayed with a healthy dose of satire and whimsy. A comic book-like sensibility runs through the series, balancing its serious subject matter. The characters and setting feel authentic, aided by Lanka Santhoshi’s costumes and Chandrika Gorrepati’s production design. The playful mood extends to the props used in sex education classes and even the illustrations on the classroom blackboard. Cinematographer AJ Aaron captures the landscape with equal measures of earthiness and vibrancy, while Anudeep Dev’s music complements the tone.Even Subbu’s assigned accommodation says plenty about how the village regards sex education officers. Its residents are equally colourful, from the village sarpanch to Subbu’s loyal aide, played by Getup Srinu. Some characters deliberately lean into familiar archetypes: men obsessed with projecting masculinity and women conditioned to remain silent. Mithila Palkar stands out as Swathi, an aspiring actor, while two other women — a sex worker and a young woman with a mysterious past — lend the narrative additional layers.Several narrative beats unfold as expected, but Mallik Ram keeps them engaging. Whether it’s the villagers’ reaction to the idea that “no means no” or Subbu’s discreet classroom sessions, the humour rarely overshadows the message. The writing also knows when to dial down the laughs. A conversation on menstrual hygiene, for instance, lands with sincerity rather than sermonising. Smaller touches — like villagers climbing palm trees to find a mobile signal — enrich the world-building.As the series progresses, Super Subbu also becomes a coming-of-age story. Sundeep Kishan plays the title character with warmth and sincerity, capturing both his innocence and vulnerability. In the opening episodes, his body language reflects a young man constantly seeking his father’s approval. Gradually, as Subbu settles into village life, that diffidence gives way to confidence. The emotional arc feels earned.Murali Sharma, despite having played numerous fathers in Telugu cinema, finds fresh shades in Kukkuteshwar Rao, bringing authority and humour to a role he could easily have played on autopilot.The romance, however, could have been fleshed out further, though Sundeep and Manasa Choudhary share an easy chemistry. Mithila Palkar, speaking in the Telangana dialect, is convincing as an aspiring actor. Her character reflects a changing rural landscape, where short-form videos have opened doors to social media stardom, music videos and even films. She shines in an audition sequence and later in a poignant scene questioning why women are so rarely allowed to make decisions for themselves.Among the supporting cast, Getup Srinu makes the most of his comic timing, while Jeevan Kumar and Sampoornesh Babu leave an impression despite playing largely one-dimensional characters.Super Subbu has plenty working in its favour, even if a subplot centred on a woman’s mysterious love story feels unnecessary. The finale deliberately leaves a few threads unresolved, clearly setting the stage for a second season.(Super Subbu is streaming on Netflix)