The third episode of TVF Aspirants begins with UPSC aspirants discussing current affairs while reading the newspaper around tea stalls in Rajinder Nagar. While debating on a topic with Abhilash, Pragati feels that his approach is very negative. He is too burdened with his prejudices and biases. Even Guri thinks the same. 

In the present day, SK and Guri have reached the restaurant to meet Abhilash. There is a 20-minute wait so they spend the time outside waiting for Abhilash. SK asks Guri to not hesitate and tell Abhilash the truth. He will not mind Guri marrying Dhairya. 

In the flashback, Abhilash is arguing with a newspaper vendor. The vendor has been missing in action for the past 5 days. The vendor tells Abhilash that he fell on the road and sprained his leg. He complains that the roads are not maintained and have lots of potholes. Abhilash’s landlord stands behind him, positive that the potholes will be mended soon. He believes that India is a great nation. Abhilash, however, is of the opposite viewpoint and believes India is behind several other nations. There is no investment in science and technology. The only things India is known for are its population and pollution. The landlord asks him to be a proud Indian and not crib so much. Abhilash, however, is not a proud Indian. 

Cut to the classroom where the professor is sharing his feedback with Abhilash. The professor says that Abhilash is criticizing the government policies in his answers and his solutions do not seem genuine. The professor points out that a positive approach is missing in his answers. He tells Abhilash that it is the job of an IAS officer to find solutions with an approach that will be advantageous to all.

In the next scene, we see Abhilash, Guri and SK entering Abhilash’s room. Abhilash feels that practicality is imperative to make a change. Optimism can only help to a small extent. Guri suggests he write what the examiner wants. He asks Abhilash to fake it and not write what he actually thinks in order to pass the exam.

While the three of them are discussing the benefits of becoming an IAS officer, they are interrupted by the loud noise of a television. Abhilash loses his temper and rushes down to the landlord’s house. Abhilash lashes out at the landlord. He is extremely annoyed that the landlord watches television the whole day. He threatens that he will cancel his lease if the landlord is not a better neighbor. The landlord however reminds Abhilash that he will not get such a good deal (cheap room) anywhere else. If he wants he can leave the room, the landlord tells him. Abhilash realizes that his hands are tied and goes back to the room.

Back in the present day, Abhilash arrives and meets SK and Guri. They go inside the restaurant.

While Abhilash issues a library card in the flashback. He sits there and tries to rewrite his answers. However, he is unable to understand his mistakes. He gets up in frustration and goes out to drink water. Dhairya joins him at the watercooler. Abhilash’s spectacles are lying on the top of the watercooler. Dhairya keeps her books on top without noticing. The spectacles break. Dhairya apologizes and insists on getting them repaired herself. 

The shopkeeper says that the broken spectacles cannot be repaired. Abhilash will have to buy a new one. Dhairya argues that she will buy him a new one. She selects a new frame for him. Then they go and have tea. While talking about prelims revision, Dhairya offers Abhilash to join a test series to regularly practice answer writing. 

The two start practicing answer writing together. After they’ve spent the whole day studying and are going back home, Dhairya mentions that she thinks Abhilash has a negative approach. This negative approach might also be affecting his answers. Then she gives the new pair of spectacles to Abhilash. On the pretext of giving it to him as s gift, she writes her name on the spectacle case. 

In the present, the three friends are having a good time. They discuss their present professions and the work they do. Abhilash asks about Guri’s fiance. Guri doesn’t respond and tries to change the topic. Abhilash senses some awkwardness in Guri. He apologizes for whatever happened in the past and reiterates the fact that the three of them are brothers. Abhilash feels that SK and Guri have misunderstood him. SK and Guri had thought that Abhilash has developed arrogance after becoming an IAS officer. However, Abhilash clarifies that he has been very busy therefore he did not contact the two. Guri forgives Abhilash. 

While having drinks, Guri finally reveals the name of his fiance to Abhilash. 

In the next scene, we are taken back to the flashback. Abhilash is showing his new spectacles to Guri. Abhilash confides in Guri that Dhairya is a really nice girl and he likes her. 

The next day, Dhairya suggests writing papers and then marking each other. Abhilash agrees. 

Meanwhile, Abhilash is trying to work on his approach. He goes down to meet his landlord’s wife, aunty, because she has fractured her foot. He gives her some fruits to make her feel better. 

Dhairya and Abhilash check each other’s answer sheets. Abhilash scores low whereas Dhairya scores very high. The two start to spend more time together. Dhairya starts to guide Abhilash on how to write better answers. 

While returning, Abhilash notices the pothole on the road. He goes up and writes a letter to the PWD department.

Abhilash meets aunty. She gets emotional while sharing with him about her son who she hasn’t seen in three years. Abhilash comforts her and assures both uncle and aunty that he will come to meet them every day. He offers his unconditional support to them. Aunty feels Abhilash is a good boy. She asks her husband to shift the television to another room so that Abhilash doesn’t get disturbed.

Abhilash and Dhairya are falling in love. Abhilash is really happy about it.

Meanwhile, in the restaurant, SK is relieved that Abhilash does not feel bad about Guri marrying Dhairya. Abhilash reassures Guri that he is actually really happy about his marriage. He also lets the two know that he hasn’t talked to Dhairya in the past six years. 

While ordering, Abhilash wears his spectacles to read the menu card. Guri notices the same pair of spectacles that Dhairya gifted him. Abhilash still carried the same case on which Dhairya wrote her name. Guri is not convinced by Abhilash’s affirmations. He becomes anxious. 

Back in the flashback, the potholes get filled. Abhilash is proud of himself. His positive approach got positive results. He has understood the fact that in order to clear the exam and the interview he must have a positive attitude which should reflect in his personality. Faking optimism won’t help, he tells Guri. He also tells Guri and SK that he has understood the reason why he wants to become an IAS officer. He tells them that he has the potential to bring a change. He wanted to get the potholes filled and the purpose is solved. 

As Abhilash was explaining his philosophy to SK and Guri, Sandeep bhaiya was listening to him from his balcony. After listening to Abhilash, Sandeep feels that even he can bring out positive changes. He believes that he is the one responsible for a change in Abhilash’s attitude. Hence, he is confident that he will become an IAS officer soon.

Episode Rating: 3.5/5

Episode 2 Recap: Teacher Sahi Hona Chahiye

Episode 4 Recap: Plan B Kya Hai?

Aspirants Season 1 Review