What Is the Story About?
The Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives tracks the lives of four celebrity wives, Neelam Kothari, Maheep Kapoor, Seema Khan and Bhavna Pandey. What happens in their day to day lives and how they spend an outing together is what the series is all about?
Performances?
The Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives is a docu-series. Here the real-life actors essay the roles in the series as well. It is, therefore, not much of a big task to be their real self. They do it with considerable ease. The issue here is more to do with what is shown rather than what is acted.
Analysis
The eight-episode series, The Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives track the journey of four celebrity wives. The entire show focuses on their lifestyle and issues that create tensions in their lives. Has that appropriately been showcased?
The opening episodes make it clear where the series is headed, and it does not disappoint one bit. There is a clear agenda as far as the series is considered to whitewash the ‘Bollywood’, in general, using the female celebrity wives. If it is not clear in the first episode, it will become clear as one progress ahead.
The show is inspired by the Hollywood reality series of the same type. The only difference is the Indian-ness mixture to the narrative. So, we have the moms here who despite their lavish lifestyle, still have fears related to their husband and kids like a typical Indian mom.
No matter how exaggerated lifestyle Neelam, Miheek, Saima, and Bhavana have, they have the routine and identifiable problems. Similarly, there are a couple of other issues like the foursome being outdated with the ‘current’ lingo or one of the husbands rekindling his past ‘post’ the achievement of the daughter, which brings an emotional resonance.
Unfortunately, everything else beyond those moments mentioned-above lacks any depth. It is all about silly trivial issues and maintaining of the lifestyle. The latter is fine, but extreme devotion to only one aspect reduces the impact of the ‘real’ problems. One takes them lightly as a result of what happens elsewhere.
The superficiality and the way it is projected and acted gives a cringy feeling. It becomes too much to handle as the narrative focuses if one gets disconnected immediately. There is no coming back for them. To those who don’t mind it, there is nothing immersive or engaging content presented to them despite the presence of big names.
In the end, The Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Lives feel like a grand ‘PR’ exercise to whitewash the industry. The subtle pushing of nepotism and struggle for the ‘celeb-kids’ gives it away. It makes it so obvious. It reminds one of the blockbuster biopic ‘Sanju’ where Sanjay Dutt gets clean chit with all the issues.
Overall, the series is well cast and presented lavishly. There are engaging moments, no doubt, and some might find the whole thing a harmless fun outing. But, such an opinion will be fewer among the larger whole. If you don’t mind the superficiality and cringe-inducing narrative for the peek into celebrity lives, give the show a shot, otherwise, stay away.
Music and Other Departments?
The overall tone and cut of the series reminds one of the Four More Shots Please even though what we have here is a docu-narrative. The elevation background score with ‘money shots’ is well done. The editing is fine, and so is the cinematography considering the genre.
Highlights?
Primary Cast
The Setup
The Surprises
Drawbacks?
Superficial Narrative
Relentless Cringe Moments
Lack Of Depth
No Emotional Connect
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, in Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservation
Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives Review by Binged Bureau
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