Call Me Bae opens with this girl who appears to have it all, living a fantasy existence. She is extremely wealthy, grows up with everything at her disposal, and marries into an ultrarich family that only travels by helicopter. But not everything is fine. After all, what really is her purpose? Her loneliness drives her to make radical decisions, and she eventually decides to stand on her own two feet in a completely unfamiliar place.
She makes excellent friends, has an amazing support system, lands a position in a posh media business with a helpful mentor and non-competitive coworkers, and manages to stand up to very powerful individuals! And despite all that, she attracts men who all fall for her! – Well, that’s the very basic summary of Ananya Panday‘s debut series, Call Me Bae. Very much Emily in Paris-esque, reminiscent of Aisha in the characterisation of the lead, and with the over-the-topness of Student of the Year, this is a glitzy-cutesy, pop-paletted fantasy series with a script that tries to tackle every issue—from loneliness and lovelessness in marriage to finding purpose in life, to responsible journalism!
The girl in the story is Bella, also known as Bae (Ananya Panday). Following a scandal in Delhi, she relocates to Mumbai and, after being patronized by her brother, refuses the easy road and sets out to build her niche. Yes, the wealthy and privileged must do the same to establish themselves. She hustles in a hostel, living with random people who are all incredibly kind and have no hatred in their hearts (it’s the Barbie world), and as goodness begets goodness, she gets a position as an intern with a major media company because she recently went viral. It doesn’t matter whether she has the necessary qualifications for that! She also lands a big story and takes on one of the most powerful entrepreneurs with her behens (girls).
All of the ranting must have demonstrated that the story is flimsy and can go in any direction. Director Colin D’Cunha should have tightened the reins, but he let it go crazy on multiple occasions. The performance cues appeared to be overly dramatic. If that is the case, then the performances are satisfactory.
However, Ananya Panday plays the character with conviction. She gives it all. The character loses the subtlety she shows in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, but she still nails it.
Muskkaan Jaferi, who plays Saira in the series, shows her spark once again after Mismatched. She becomes Bae’s BFF in Mumbai, helping her navigate through the fast-paced city. Lisa Mishra also delivers a layered performance in the series that marks her acting debut. Niharika Dutt who plays Tammarrah, also delivers a good performance, as does Varun Sood as the thoughtful and innocent Prince Bhasin. Gurfateh Pirzada plays seasoned journalist Neel, and we just wish that he was a little less restrained with his performance.
It is Vir Das who proves that he is a seasoned actor with the character of Satyajit Das. He plays the TRP-hungry journalist, for whom story and numbers come before morality.
‘Truth isn’t always important’, he shouts on the show, proving that he is not what a journalist should be like. Yes, his character is not layered, but Das tries to give it a little more shape through the series.
What stands out in the show are the costumes. It’s bold, it’s colorful, it’s dreamy and can rival Emily in Paris! Ananya Panday walks on them with confidence and elan, and many a time, they do successfully distract you from the loopholes and the superficiality of the script. What one might also enjoy in the series are the dialogues. It often gets beyond Bae and becomes apt for Ananya Panday as well. Some are fun too.
The soundtrack, featuring peppy beats like the title track, Vekh Sohneyaa, and Warey, blends well with the drama. Churaaiyaan adds emotional depth to Bae’s journey, enhancing the themes of romance and heartbreak.
Call Me Bae is a stylish comedy-drama that stands out by frequently mocking its absurdities, adding an element of self-aware humor. While the show boasts strong performances and high production values, it doesn’t offer much in the way of new storytelling. Fans of the genre will likely enjoy the ride, but those seeking something fresh may find the series a bit too familiar.