What Is the Story About?
Anamika Anand (Madhuri Dixit) is a senior top actress. Everything looks perfect in her life for the outside world until one day she goes missing.
Who is behind Anamika’s disappearance? What happened to her and who are the suspects is the basic storyline of the series.
Performances?
Madhuri Dixit makes her foray into web space with the series The Fame Game. She plays Anamika Khanna, a role trailer made for her. Anamika is a star on verge of losing the stardom to younger ones. A mother of two kids trying and sole breadwinner of the family. It’s a part that hits too close to the home for a lot of female celebrities, including Madhuri.
If there is one reason to sit through Th Fame Game it is Madhuri Dixit alone. She is magnetic and attractive for her age. She grabs the screen with her presence and emotes with her eyes. A lot is conveyed with just casual expressions without saying much. It is therefore another typical performance from her which shines through mediocrity.
Analysis
Karishma Kohli and Bejoy Nambiar direct The Fame Game which is created by Sri Rao. The basic story seems to be inspired by the lives of senior heroines and their stardom once they go past their peak.
A number of movies or series set in the filmy background have ever got the story right in Hindi. Somehow they end up being hollow and pretentious offering nothing new. The Fame Game, however, begins on an exciting note with the kidnapping drama thrown in immediately.
One is hooked into the narrative instantly to know what might have happened to Anamika or who is behind her kidnapping?
The investigation part and the enticement of a family with secrets is exciting, but what we get besides it is routine as it gets.
The backstories each character reveal (to show them having a potential motive) is hardly anything new. We have seen it all before and they are presented in a more sugarcoated syrupy way. It makes it even hard to get ahead.
The investigation and the regular family drama also lead to an uneven drama. The narrative feels inconsistent with the writing sticking out at times.
What still holds interest is the central character of Anamika. But, a twist related to her further takes away all the interest. It brings forth many loopholes besides making the narrative misleading.
The ending basically leaves us with a lot more questions than answers and that’s where The Fame Game loses it all.
Overall, The Fame Game has an exciting premise and some interesting drama. But, the predictable drama and logicless twists and turns hold it back from achieving true potential. Give it a try if you like the genre and Madhuri Dixit, but be wary of mediocrity.
Other Artists?
Sanjay Kapoor is perfect casting for the part and his granular voice adds to the impact. He is alright as a performer though with his huffing and puffing in key moments. Manav Kaul is okay playing a star, as he feels lacking in flamboyance. But, he is superb in expressing the personal side of the role. The depressed star who is longing for happiness is neatly conveyed. We can see the pain.
Lakshvir Singh Saran irritates for a large part but gets better towards the end. Muskkaan Jaferi is passable playing a star daughter. She shows promise in a couple of scenes, but that’s it. Suhasini Mulay is dependable as usual.
Rajashri Deshpande‘s role starts well but is lost along the way as the investigation progresses. The personal touch comes across as a forced add on. The uneasiness shows in the act. Kashyap Harsha Shangari is another interesting role that’s not utilised well. It is the same with Gagan Arora. The rest of the actors too are alright.
Music and Other Departments?
Andrew Orkin and Harini Raghavan are the music composers for the series. They have done a decent job. Manoj Kumar Khatoi’s cinematography is vibrant catching the glitz of the film industry well. The editing by Monisha Baldawa could have been better. The writing is okay, in parts, but terrible otherwise.
Highlights?
Madhuri Dixit
Casting
Investigative Parts
Drawbacks?
Profitable Drama
Uneven Tone
Length
Ending
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
The Fame Game Series Review by Binged Bureau