‘Call Me Bae’ Review: Ananya Panday Steers a Lightweight Comedy

Call Me Bae, now streaming on Prime Video, stars Ananya Panday as Bella Chowdhury, aka Bae, in a riches-to-rags comedy. Created by Ishita Moitra and directed by Collin D’Cunha, the series tries to merge Mumbai's gritty reality with the superficial life of a ditzy South Delhi socialite, but the results are often uneven.

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Plot Overview

Bae, a wealthy socialite, finds herself ostracized by her husband and high-society friends after an affair with her trainer. Moving to Mumbai, she begins a journey of self-discovery, armed only with her questionable qualifications like 'psychic vegan cheese pairing.' Despite her glamorous background, Bae stumbles her way into a journalism internship and begins a quest to rebuild her life.

Performance and Direction

Ananya Panday’s bubbly, daffy energy carries much of the show, with moments of humor stemming from her character’s ridiculous misunderstandings and attempts to adapt to “ordinary” Mumbai life. Panday, who has played similar roles in Gehraiyaan and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, fits comfortably into the role, although the script gives her little emotional depth to explore.

The show’s humor is more literal than sharp. It takes pleasure in wordplay and absurd situations but often falls short in developing meaningful dramatic tension. Moments of genuine insight—such as a subtle commentary on different shades of parenting—are overshadowed by the heavy borrowing from Western sitcoms like Schitt’s Creek and Emily in Paris.

Supporting Cast

Vir Das, in the role of a news anchor, shines in the comedic portions but, like Panday, is held back by a narrative that doesn’t fully allow his talent to flourish. Mini Mathur as Bae’s overbearing mother also brings some humor, but her character’s arc remains limited.

Final Thoughts

While Call Me Bae tries to blend a comedic exploration of privilege with a more heartfelt narrative of personal growth, the result is a light, low-carb dish that lacks flavor. Panday’s charm and some moments of surprise do make it watchable, but the series struggles to find its own voice in the crowded space of riches-to-rags comedies.

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