'Call Me Bae' is now streaming on Prime Video
There’s a girl who appears to lead a flawless life living a fairytale existence. Wealthy from birth she enjoys every luxury and marries into an ultra-rich family that travels exclusively by helicopter. However beneath this glittering surface she struggles with a deep sense of emptiness.
Her loneliness drives her to make bold choices, ultimately pushing her to reinvent herself. Determined to find her true purpose she decides to start anew in a city where she knows no one. This drastic change is her way of seeking independence and discovering who she truly is beyond the superficial glamour of her previous life.
She quickly finds wonderful friends and a solid support system in her new city. Landing a job at a chic media company she benefits from a supportive mentor and friendly colleagues which helps her stand up to influential figures.
Along the way she also attracts several men who are all smitten with her. Through these new experiences she gains confidence and a sense of fulfillment she had been missing.
That’s a basic overview of Ananya Panday’s debut series Call Me Bae. The show has a distinct Emily in Paris feel with the lead character bearing similarities to the one in Aisha and features the extravagant flair reminiscent of Student of the Year.
This glitzy vibrant fantasy series offers a pop-art aesthetic and attempts to address a wide range of issues. The script explores themes such as loneliness and loveless marriages the quest for personal fulfillment and the ethics of journalism.
It blends a stylish charming presentation with serious discussions making it both entertaining and
thought-provoking.
In this quest the storyline becomes tangled and chaotic like raita with added boondi. Instead of coming together cohesively it feels disjointed.
While the series may appeal to teenagers its fantastical portrayal might not resonate with women in their late 20s or older who may find the naivety depicted frustrating as they navigate real-life complexities.
Bella or Bae as played by Ananya Panday is the central character. Following a scandal in Delhi she relocates to Mumbai (is the title a play on Bae in Bombay?—never mind).
After being condescended to by her brother she chooses to forge her own path instead of relying on privilege. The series highlights that even the wealthy and privileged must strive to make their own mark a notable point.
She navigates life in a hostel, sharing space with friendly well-meaning people it’s like a Barbie world. Her kindness attracts more kindness . leading her to secure an internship at a major media company after going viral despite lacking the necessary qualifications.
Her newfound success continues as she lands a significant story and confronts one of the most powerful entrepreneurs supported by her female friends.
The series portrays her journey through a blend of charm and serendipity emphasizing that even without traditional credentials opportunity and support can pave the way to impressive achievements.
The critique suggests that the storyline is quite thin and meanders in various directions. Director Colin D’Cunha needed to maintain tighter control as the narrative often goes off track. The performances appear intentionally exaggerated and if that’s the intended style they succeed.
Regardless Ananya Panday brings sincerity to her role giving it her best effort. Although her portrayal lacks the subtlety she demonstrated in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan she still delivers a strong performance.
Muskkaan Jaferi who reprises her vibrant presence from Mismatched shines as Saira in the series. As Bae’s best friend in Mumbai she becomes an essential guide helping her navigate the complexities of the bustling city.
Lisa Mishra makes her acting debut with a nuanced performance adding depth to her role and marking a promising start to her acting career. Niharika Dutt portraying Tammarrah also delivers a strong performance contributing significantly to the series. Similarly Varun Sood impresses as the thoughtful and innocent Prince Bhasin bringing a sense of sincerity and charm to his role.
Vir Das demonstrates his prowess as an actor with his role as Satyajit Das a TRP-driven journalist who prioritizes sensationalism over ethics. His character who loudly proclaims Truth isn’t always important embodies a departure from the ideal image of a journalist.
Although the character lacks depth Das works hard to add nuance and dimension throughout the series showcasing his ability to infuse more complexity into the role.
What truly stands out in the show is its vibrant and daring costume design. Bold, colorful and dreamy the wardrobe choices can easily rival those in Emily in Paris. Ananya Panday wears these outfits with confidence and flair often successfully diverting attention from the script’s loopholes and superficiality.
The series also features engaging dialogues that sometimes go beyond Bae resonating well with Ananya Panday herself. Some of the lines even add a touch of fun to the show.
Overall if you’re in the mood for an easy watch where you can relax and get lost in the neon colors and dazzling costumes this series is a great choice. However if you find the overly simplistic portrayal of life frustrating or irritating you might want to skip it.
That said you likely wouldn’t choose Call Me Bae expecting profound insights or intellectual depth but it offers a visually captivating and entertaining escape.