Bakaiti

Season 1

The story follows the five-member Kataria family during a period of financial difficulty. To bring in additional income, the family patriarch, Sanjay, decides to rent out a room in their home, which requires his 21-year-old daughter Naina to move in with her younger brother Bharat. Naina resents the change, and Bharat resents sharing his space. At the same time, Sanjay and his wife Sushma come under pressure from Sanjay's younger brother to sell the ancestral home after the recent death of their father. The arrival of a new tenant tests the family's relationships and generational differences.

Season 2

Season 2 is set about a year after the first. Struggling lawyer Sanjay faces mounting financial pressure and accepts an unethical eviction case, and a bribe, from a local gangster, Pushpendra Tyagi, while his brother Ajay pushes to redevelop the family's ancestral home. Sushma starts a home boutique to find her own footing, Naina contends with the pressures of academic and city life in Mumbai alongside a growing relationship with her classmate Kevin, and Bunty pursues a place in a cricket league. A family confrontation and a health crisis affecting the household's grandfather bring the Katarias' accumulated tensions to a head before the family reconciles and unites against Tyagi.

Main

• Rajesh Tailang as Sanjay Kataria
• Sheeba Chaddha as Sushma Kataria, Sanjay's wife, Naina and Bharat's mother
• Tanya Sharma as Naina "Nonu" Kataria, Sanjay and Sushma's elder daughter, Bharat's sister
• Aaditya Shukla as Bharat "Bunty" Kataria, Sanjay and Sushma's younger son, Naina's brother

Recurring

• Parvinder Jit Singh as Ajay Kataria, Sanjay's brother
• Poonam Jangra as Alka Kataria, Ajay's wife and Sanjay's sister-in-law
• Shashwat Chaturvedi as Aman Kataria, Ajay and Alka's son
• Ramesh Rai as Nanaji, Sushma's father and Sanjay's father-in-law
• Keshav Sadhna as Chirag, Sanjay's tenant
• Devishi Madaan as Ishita, Sushma's assistant
• Rtwik Nambiar as Kevin Joseph, Naina's friend (S2)
• Abhijeet Chavan as Pushpendra Tyagi, Sanjay's client, owner of Lovely Properties (S2)

Season 1 (2025)

Season 1

Bakaiti received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.

Archika Khurana of The Times of India rated the series 3 out of 5 stars, describing it as a modest and heartfelt portrayal of Indian family life that may appeal to viewers seeking comfort and familiarity, though it avoids high‑stakes drama and may feel too safe for some audiences." Shweta Keshri of India Today, also giving a score of 3/5, noted that "noted that while the premise feels familiar, the warmth and genuineness of the storytelling make it an easy and pleasant watch, especially as a short weekend binge."

In a less favourable review, Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express rated it 2/5, calling it "a patchy drama that fails to rise above its noisy family conflicts." Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in commented that "A cash-strapped family gets on each other’s nerves – and yours too at times." Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated the series 3/5, noting that "No out-of-the-box storyline, but it will touch your heart for its simplicity." Nirali Kanabar of Times Now rated 3/5 calling it "a relatable slice‑of‑life drama suited for those seeking a light‑hearted watch."

Anindita Mukherjee of News18 gave the show 3/5 and wrote "Bakaiti has its loopholes, though they’re easy to overlook. At times, certain segments feel stretched. Multiple episodes revolving around the same ‘to rent or not to rent’ storyline come across as repetitive." Arpita Sarkar of OTT Play rated it 3.5/5 describing it as "a warm, lively portrayal of everyday family chaos and relationships, capturing both affection and generational differences." Divya Raje Bhonsale of Mathrubhumi awarded it 3.5/5 praising the performances of Rajesh Tailang and Sheeba Chaddha as parents facing financial struggles while navigating their children’s aspirations."