The Fame Game REVIEW: Madhuri Dixit starrer relies more on the actor’s fame than the game

Director: Sri Rao

Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Kapoor, Manav Kaul, Muskkaan Jaferi, Lakshvir Singh Saran, Suhasini Muley, and Rajshri Deshpande

Bollywood Bubble Rating: 3 stars

Netflix’s new original series The Fame Game is an ambitious thriller backed by Dharmatic. With Madhuri Dixit making her digital debut, the show takes us through the complicated life of a Hindi film star in her 40s, who grapples with the fading stardom, lost love, unhappy marriage and kids. Anamika Anand, played by Madhuri, is a star who is ready for a comeback in a film produced by her husband, Nikhil (Sanjay Kapoor). To create a solid buzz, Nikhil ropes in Manish Khanna (Manav Kaul), as the male lead. Anamika and Manish were a hot thing in their initial days, we are told and the tales of their romance is well known. The perfect recipe for a hit comeback film, Right?

Only, things turn upside down for Anamika and family as the star goes missing amid all this. As the story unravels, you see through an emphatic lens the many faces of people around her. Who has kidnapped Anamika and why is what forms the premise of the 8-episode long series. There are many suspects, each having their own reason to possibly kidnap Anamika. That is perhaps the only interesting thing about the series.

The series focuses on the other side of the stardom, which the common man is not preview to. The lows and the highs, the many secrets and rendezvous of the star. While it is interesting in bits, the perceptive to it, however, seems puzzled. Madhuri Dixit is flawless onscreen. She plays herself, a star in the series. There are moments where she shines brightly; especially scenes where she sheds off her makeup and lets us see her naked emotions. The ability to make you choke just with her eyes and expressions has always been Madhuri’s strength as an actress and she uses that very well in the show.

Madhuri is definitely an ace at her game as she plays her age. The writer uses a satirical approach to debunk many of the rumours and jargon used in the media with regards to stars and stardom. However, there are moments where you feel that the situation is forced, rather than going for an organic approach. The scenes with kids are heartwarming and gutting at the same time.

 

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Sanjay Kapoor brings in a level of mystery and vulnerability to Nikhil with conviction. The kids, Lakshwir and Muskaan Jaffery are truly a revelation. They bring in a sense of honesty to their respective roles and hold their own.

Manav Kaul is truly gifted with the ability to make us feel so many things. Though his character lacks depth, he still manages to bring a sense of empathy to Manish.

The performances elevate the otherwise mediocre script. The attempt to make it ab engaging thriller is ambitious but it is too far from leaving us on the edge. It would be rather be qualified as a family drama.

Another problem with the writing was the need to put everything wrong it woke with the industry in one script itself. It seems like a desperate effort to call everyone but the industry out.

The 8-episodes series somehow didn’t interest me enough. It seemed to be riding on the fame more than the game.

ALSO READ: The Fame Game Trailer: Madhuri Dixit starrer unravels the mysterious side of Anamika Anand’s life

Bhavna Agarwal

Assistant Editor at Bollywood Bubble. An ambivert who is currently high on K-dramas and K-Pop. A forever Bollywood fan, who continues to gush over solid stories and characters. Hit me up for a fine conversation over chai.

You can also reach me on – https://twitter.com/filmybugB