Call Me Bae initially struggles with its identity, often feeling like it tries too hard and borrows excessively from other sources. The series, produced by Dharma Productions, falls into a pattern seen in other recent works from the banner, where nods to past films overshadow the storytelling. This approach, while nostalgic, risks becoming a crutch for lackluster writing. Anand Tiwari’s Bad Newz (2024) serves as a prime example of this, collapsing under the weight of sentimentality. Call Me Bae follows a similar path, centering on a wealthy young woman who must navigate the real world after a series of personal and financial setbacks—a premise familiar to Dharma Productions, which often portrays the middle class as an afterthought.
The show, written by Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar, and Rohit Nair, juggles multiple influences and struggles with tonal consistency. The first few episodes, out of an eight-episode run, are bogged down by self-references and a muddled blend of inspirations. The setting recalls the American sitcom 2 Broke Girls, while the protagonist’s journey echoes elements from Legally Blonde and the character Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek. The result is a tonal mishmash that takes time to settle.
Bella Chowdhury (Ananya Panday) is introduced as a privileged socialite whose life revolves around luxury and excess. Her perfect world starts to unravel when her arranged marriage to Agastya (Vihaan Samat) falls apart after she embarks on an affair with a gym instructor, Prince (Varun Sood). This leads to the collapse of her marriage and her socialite lifestyle.
Directed by Colin D’Cunha, Call Me Bae initially struggles to find its footing. It can’t quite decide if it’s a coming-of-age story about a socialite navigating a new reality, a tale of sisterhood, or a satire of modern journalism. The latter feels particularly strained, as no amount of satire seems sufficient to address the beast of contemporary media.
The series features numerous gags and cultural references. Bella’s comedic observations, like her shock at encountering white bread in Mumbai or her comparison of autos to Mini Coopers without doors, are amusing but predictable. Moitra’s comedic style, seen in her previous work on Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Bad Newz, is evident but doesn’t always hit the mark.
Call Me Bae truly finds its rhythm when it embraces its frivolity and stops trying so hard to emulate other shows. It becomes more engaging and enjoyable as it accepts its own playful nature. Despite logical inconsistencies—like a hostel in Bandra that feels out of place or a job in journalism that hinges on a viral drunk video—the series becomes more tolerable as it embraces its surface-level charm rather than striving for deeper substance.
Ananya Panday’s performance is a standout, bringing charisma and authenticity to her role. She manages to balance humor and depth, making Bella a character worth watching. Supporting performances from Gurfateh Pirzada as the earnest journalist Neel, Muskkaan Jaferi as Bae’s gambling friend Saira, and Niharika Dutt as her ambitious flatmate Tammarrah add to the show’s appeal. Vir Das, as the manic journalist Satyajit Sen, brings a unique energy, blending Miranda Priestly’s aura with his own comedic flair.
Call Me Bae is a show that leans more towards good than bad. Although it takes time for the characters and story to fully develop, it holds promise for future seasons. The series has the potential to become a beloved franchise, filling a pop culture niche but should have aimed higher. Its reluctance to fully embrace its own potential in favor of borrowed elements is its main shortcoming.
Call Me Bae is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
