‘13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught in Classrooms’ Review: A tale told in too much haste

13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught in Classrooms

Where to watch: Sony LIV

Cast: Paresh Pahuja, Gagan Dev Riar, Girija Oak Godbole, Pradnya Motghare, Abhishek Ranjan, Keshav Mehta

Director: Nishil Sheth

Rating: 2/5

Sony LIV's latest offering arrives with modest expectations and delivers exactly that. The five-episode drama, streaming since October 1, 2025, draws inspiration from mathematician Mohit Tyagi's journey building the ed-tech platform Competishun. While the premise holds promise, execution falls short of contemporary storytelling standards.

The Setup

Ritesh (Paresh Pahuja) is a successful venture capitalist who reunites with his former IIT-JEE mentor, Mohit Tyagi Sir (Gagan Dev Riar), to help scale his educational institute. The narrative explores familiar territory - corporate disillusionment leading to meaningful purpose. Ritesh questions his company's profit-driven approach to startup investments, eventually discovering his firm plans to evaluate Competishun, the very institute run by his former teacher.

The show attempts to capture India's intense competitive academic environment, particularly the pressure-cooker atmosphere of IIT-JEE preparation. The series takes an honest look at India's high-stakes exam culture, particularly the "13th year" or drop year when students retake entrance exams.

Performance Analysis

Both leads deliver committed performances despite working with limited material. Pahuja convincingly portrays Ritesh's corporate confidence and gradual awakening to deeper values. His chemistry with Riar anchors the mentor-student dynamic that drives the narrative forward.

Gagan Dev Riar, known for his portrayal of Abdul Karim Telgi in "Scam 2003," brings authenticity to the role of MT Sir. He balances the character's academic rigor with genuine care for students, though the writing doesn't provide sufficient depth to explore this complexity fully.

The supporting cast includes Girija Oak Godbole, Pradnya Motghare, Abhishek Ranjan, and Keshav Mehta, who fill their roles adequately without leaving memorable impressions.

Writing and Direction

The series suffers from rushed storytelling that prioritizes inspiration over narrative coherence. Writer-creator Sameer Mishra constructs a framework rich with potential but fails to develop characters beyond surface-level motivations. The transition from corporate boardrooms to educational startups feels mechanical rather than organic.

Director Nishil Sheth, under showrunner Abhishek Dhandharia's guidance, attempts a layered exploration of unconventional life lessons but settles for conventional presentation. Scenes move predictably from one emotional beat to the next without building genuine tension or surprise.

The dialogue often veers toward exposition, explaining character motivations rather than revealing them through action. This approach undermines the series' emotional core, making pivotal moments feel manufactured rather than earned.

Cultural Context

The show taps into relevant themes for Indian audiences - the pressure of entrance examinations, the startup ecosystem, and the lasting influence of teachers. However, it treats these subjects superficially, missing opportunities to examine the psychological toll of academic competition or the complexities of scaling educational ventures.

The startup angle feels particularly underdeveloped. While Ritesh's corporate background provides initial conflict, the series doesn't explore how venture capital actually operates or the challenges ed-tech companies face in the Indian market.

Technical Aspects

Production values remain functional without reaching cinematic quality. The series maintains visual consistency but lacks the polish expected from contemporary streaming content. Background music supports scenes without enhancing them, and editing feels workmanlike rather than creative.

Missed Opportunities

The strongest elements emerge when the series focuses on the teacher-student relationship. Pahuja describes the show as "a simple and honest portrayal of the influence and impact some mentors have on our lives," which accurately captures the series' most effective moments.

Unfortunately, these personal interactions get overshadowed by startup politics and corporate machinations that feel disconnected from the emotional core. The series would benefit from deeper exploration of how education shapes individual destinies rather than broad statements about mentorship.

Final Thought

"13th: Some Lessons Aren't Taught in Classrooms" represents competent but unremarkable television. The performances demonstrate professionalism, the subject matter carries inherent interest, and the runtime prevents the narrative from overstaying its welcome.

However, the series feels like a missed opportunity to examine India's education system, startup culture, and mentor-student relationships with the depth they deserve. While viewers seeking light inspirational content may find value here, those expecting nuanced storytelling or fresh perspectives will likely feel disappointed.

The series succeeds as background viewing but fails to demand attention or provoke meaningful discussion. In an increasingly competitive streaming landscape, such mediocrity struggles to justify viewer investment despite noble intentions and adequate execution.