I happened to catch the latest Netflix streaming thriller show, The Fame Game, starring none other than Madhuri Dixit and thought it would make a nice addition to my Netflix reviews. I have to admit I binge watched the whole show in one night. At 8 episodes of around 30 minutes each, I was thoroughly entertained throughout. What follows is my tv review of the same.
At the start I have to admit I was hate watching it a bit- what with all the Bollywood tropes coming to life. Petulant star kids, affairs, ageism- the show has all that and more. Post the first two episodes however, I was watching more out of the sheer interest in the layers peeling off Anamika (Madhuri Dixit’s) and her perfect life.
The story revolves around superstar Anamika Khanna going missing one night. In the investigations that follow we find out well, everyone had a motive. Her ideal life being anything but. Produced by Karan Johar, this gripping show makes you realize more than finding Anamika, the viewer needs to find out who is Anamika.
Without further ado, here’s why you need to binge this next:
1. The acting: For many watching Madhuri on screen again will prove to be a dream come true. She blurs the line of reel and real with her storyline as an aging actress making a comeback. The clips from her actual films help to add to the authenticity. The screen legend looks stunning and reminds us why she is so beloved- you can’t stop watching her when she is onscreen. Her portrayal of Anamika is riveting- her picture-perfect personality coming undone the more we watch.
Smiles do not a marriage make
Sanjay Kapoor seems to be born for his role as the slimy husband who lives off his movie star wife. In his villainous avatar you can’t help but shout on the screen for Madhuri to be careful whenever he’s around- the aura of sinister he emanates is truly palpable.
Madhuri’s kids on the show- take star kid to the next level
Madhuri’s star kids are portrayed by and respectively and both showcase hidden depths the more episodes you watch. Her son, Avi (Lakshvir Saran), who harbours his own secrets, is the only character in this show who seems to have a clean heart. Her daughter, Amara (Muskkaan Jaferi), the meek girl living in the shadow of her superstar mother, has some surprising character development and pulls it off with aplomb.
These two have a little thing called chemistry going on
Madhuri’s soulmate and her one that got away is portrayed with elegance by Manav Kaul. Battling his own mental demons, this actor manages to essay a melodramatic role with ease. He also makes us root for him and Madhuri to end up together.
Special mention to Suhasini Mulay who plays Madhuri’s dictator of a mother, Madhav (Gagan Arora) who plays her psychotic fan and Hari Lal (Makarand Deshpande) who plays a film poster painter on the lines of MF Hussain.
Creepy gets a new name with this stalker
2. The score: Andrew Orkin and Harini Raghavan’s score is truly moving and at the same time can be quite sinister in places. Double thumbs up to it!
3. The twists (especially the final one!): I love a show with twists and while I was more focused on the parts which showed Anamika’s past- and not that concerned about her whereabouts in the here and now, this show has twists aplenty. While some, like her son’s secret and who kidnapped her, I solved pretty easily some I did not see coming. The ending is heart wrenching, reminiscent of the show Cruel Summer, but impactful nonetheless. None of the characters, barring the son, seem to be truly good, so it’s hard to hate any one of them or love them fully but this show delivers on the surprises.
What I loved:
The nostalgia factor
The acting
The score
The story by Sri Rao
The twists!
This burn is love
What could be better:
Less reliance on tropes
A bit more backstory on the crazy fan
For fans of shows/movies like:The Great Indian Murder/ Cruel Summer/ Gone Girl
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