Ananya Panday charms in a show filled with heart, humour, and glamour
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Call Me Bae web series review
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Director: Collin D’Cunha
Cast: Ananya Panday, Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Muskkaan Jaferi, Vihaan Samat, and Varun Sood
What is Call Me Bae about?
Call Me Bae follows Bella, affectionately known as Bae (Ananya Panday), whose life takes a dramatic turn when she loses her wealth and her rich husband leaves her. Once a privileged heiress, Bae finds herself with only a few expensive belongings and must learn to navigate life without the comfort of her former riches. Despite the tragedy, Bae is determined to forge a new path in Mumbai, juggling a growing career and a new romantic interest. As she faces numerous challenges, Bae’s journey of self-discovery becomes the heart of the series.
What’s hot about Call Me Bae?
From the very first 15 minutes, Call Me Bae immerses viewers into Bae’s world, capturing the allure of her previous luxurious life and the stark reality of her new circumstances. As the trailer suggested, Bae’s transition from South Delhi’s elite circle to Mumbai’s bustling streets brings with it a unique set of challenges. Despite her sheltered (and trained to be a perfect wife) upbringing, Bae proves herself to be better than just her looks and glamour. Her silly yet useful educational background often help her during an internship at a news channel, setting the stage for her professional and personal growth.
The series features intriguing characters, with Vir Das delivering a standout performance as Satyajit Sen, a loudmouthed and ethically questionable TV news host. Satyajit’s brash personality and questionable media practices create a dynamic contrast to Bae’s earnest ambition. At times, it feels as though Sen neglected the media ethics course during his journalism career. But one can’t deny that’s the sad state of today’s journalism in India.
Call Me Bae also addresses serious issues, such as the role of journalism and the impact of social media, especially in the context of #MeToo discussions. While the show does a commendable job of highlighting these issues, it occasionally simplifies the real-world challenges involved in covering such stories. However, at least it starts a discussion on such topics with a prominent cast, which is quite crucial.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Call Me Bae is its blend of cinematic references. Whether you’ve grown up watching the early 2000s movies or have only grown up with social media, memes, and trending topics, you will enjoy and understand every reference that will make you laugh. Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar, and Rohit Nair craft a delightful blend of smart, witty, and absurd writing, which contributes to the show’s overall charm.
Ananya Panday shines as Bella, effortlessly capturing the character’s growth from a sheltered and wealthy background to a budding journalist. Her performance is a testament to her ability to shine under the right director. Vir Das’ portrayal of the obnoxious TV host is equally compelling, reminiscent of some of the more irritating news anchors we’ve seen. The performances of supporting actors Niharika Lyra Dutt, Vihaan Samat Muskkaan Jaferi, Gurfateh Pirzada, and Varun Sood are equally impressive.
In a time when many shows lean towards dark or crime-related themes, Call Me Bae offers a refreshing change. It combines humour with valuable life lessons, making it a delightful watch that both entertains and inspires.
What’s not?
The show sometimes avoids challenging the protagonist in a realistic way, particularly during critical moments of her story. While the creators aimed for a light-hearted tone, Bae rarely faces significant obstacles or intense situations until the climax.
Watch Call Me Bae Trailer
BL Verdict
During a time when most online content is dark and gloomy, Call Me Bae is a refreshing change. Its blend of humour, heart, and lots of glamour makes it a delightful watch. While the show might not dive deeply into the harsh realities when it comes to challenges, it still delivers an engaging and uplifting story. With its witty writing and wonderful performances, Call Me Bae offers a charming escape that leaves you rooting for Bae’s journey of self-discovery and success.
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