As the countdown ticks down to the premiere of Amazon Prime’s "Call Me Bae," anticipation is quickly morphing into apprehension. With Ananya Panday at the helm, the show promises a whirlwind of glamour and grit. However, from the looks of the trailer and the track record of its leading lady, it might be better off rebranded as “Call Me Boring.”
Panday, the star of this OTT debacle, has carved out a niche for herself in the Bollywood landscape—unfortunately, that niche is “performing with all the emotional depth of a soggy paper bag.” Her portrayal of Caroline Wesbox Channing’s spiritual successor in the series seems more like an exercise in stylish posing than genuine acting. The only thing missing from her performance is a “Help Wanted” sign.
For those who missed the memo, Ananya’s character in "Call Me Bae" is a modern-day Caroline Channing, replete with high-society glamour and the tragic fall from grace. However, where Beth Behrs brought a delightful mix of biting humor and pathos to the role of Caroline, Panday's rendition comes off as more of a glossy surface than a nuanced performance.
The show’s creators, including writers Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar, and Rohit Nair, and director Colin D'Cunha, have apparently been working on the premise for eons, but from the looks of it, their creative juices were running on empty. The trailer and the songs are draped in the finest trappings of Bollywood glam—bright colors, loud music, and more sparkles than a disco ball—but they’re devoid of substance. One can’t help but wonder if the series was designed with the sole intention of showcasing Ananya’s latest wardrobe collection.
In terms of star power, "Call Me Bae" does boast an ensemble cast that includes Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, and more. However, it’s hard to see how this star-studded line-up will salvage a sinking ship. If the promotional material is any indication, the series could well be a high-gloss disaster waiting to unfold.
It’s clear that the audience’s connection to Panday is as flimsy as the plot of "Call Me Bae." With a history of flops and a reputation for style over substance, Ananya’s OTT debut seems poised to reinforce the notion that she’s more of a social media sensation than a genuine acting talent. Despite Prime Video’s large subscriber base, it’s unlikely that they’ll tune in for anything beyond a fleeting curiosity before swiftly moving on.
So, as we brace ourselves for September 6th, don’t hold your breath for this series to be the next big hit. If anything, "Call Me Bae" might just be an invitation to switch off and tune into something that doesn’t require a detour to the land of cinematic mediocrity.