Call Me Bae Starring Ananya Pandey Series Review: Fun but Familiar

Call Me Bae centres on Bella “Bae” Chowdhury, portrayed by Ananya Panday, a privileged rich girl whose world turns upside down when she suddenly finds herself thrust into a less-than-glamorous life.

Call Me Bae offers a blend of humour, drama, and style as Bella navigates her new reality. It takes viewers on a lighthearted journey through the ‘riches to rags’ storyline.

Rating: ★★ (2/5 Hitflik Stars)
Language: Hindi
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Director: Colin D’Cunha
Starring: Ananya Panday, Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra, Mini Mathur
Runtime: 8 Episodes (30–40 minutes per episode)
Available on: Amazon Prime

Direction & Narrative:
Directed by Colin D’Cunha and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, Call Me Bae boasts vibrant visuals, fashion-forward outfits, and chic settings that recall shows like Emily in Paris. However, the narrative treads familiar ground, utilizing the well-known ‘rich girl becomes poor’ trope that has been explored in shows such as Two Broke Girls and Schitt’s Creek.

Performances:
Ananya Panday stands out as the quirky and relatable Bella, anchoring the series with her charm and screen presence. Her performance injects energy into the otherwise predictable storyline. The supporting cast, featuring Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, and Varun Sood, adds some spark, but the series hints at a lack of depth in their characters, leaving much to be desired in terms of character development.

Technical Aspects:
From a technical standpoint, Call Me Bae excels in production quality. The show is visually appealing, with stylish cinematography, catchy dialogue, and vibrant colour palettes that will appeal to fashion and lifestyle enthusiasts. However, the pacing appears to be a potential concern, as some scenes feel unnecessarily drawn out, which may disrupt the show’s flow.

Room for Improvement:
While the series delivers in style, it may need more substance. The supporting characters appear underdeveloped, and the familiar storyline could leave some viewers craving more originality. Additionally, the pacing issues detract from the overall viewing experience, making the series feel in a hurry of making a very obvious point.

Conclusion:
Call Me Bae offers a visually appealing, fun, and lighthearted experience, ideal for fans of urban comedy-dramas. Ananya Panday’s lead performance is engaging, and the show’s high production values add to its charm. However, the familiar ‘riches to rags’ storyline and potential pacing issues may limit its appeal to those looking for something fresh and innovative. For fans of the genre, Call Me Bae promises an enjoyable ride, but it might not stand out in an already crowded space.