Overview:
Title: Call Me Bae
Director: Collin D'Cunha
Cast: Ananya Panday, Vihan Samat, Varun Sood, Vir Das, Muskkaan Jaferi, Gurfateh Pirzada
Writers: Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar
Rating: 2/5

Plot Summary:

The story centers around Bella (Ananya Panday), a privileged young woman from a wealthy family. One day, her mother informs her that their family is on the verge of going bankrupt within a year. Pressured by her mother, Bella pursues and marries Agastya (Vihaan Samat), a wealthy business magnate, to save her family from financial ruin. However, due to Agastya’s indifference in the marriage, Bella begins an affair with her gym trainer, Prince (Varun Sood), and is eventually caught. As a result, she not only loses Agastya but also the financial security her marriage provided. The story then follows Bella’s transformation into an independent woman who learns to stand on her own two feet.

What Works:
Call Me Bae boldly addresses the disparity in wealth and privilege. Bella’s evolution from being highly dependent to self-sufficient is predictable but satisfying. Watching the protagonist grow is always heartening, as it reflects a personal journey of strength and independence.

What Doesn't Work:

Unfortunately, Call Me Bae falls into a predictable and uninspired narrative. The series comes off as formulaic, failing to offer anything fresh or standout. The story seems to cater to popular expectations without trying to push boundaries or leave a lasting impact. It lacks depth, giving the impression that the creators settled for mediocrity rather than striving for originality or emotional resonance.

While the show had the potential to be sharper, edgier, and more engaging, it ends up being overly polished and simplified. What viewers are left with is a conventional series that lacks the excitement to hold their attention or motivate binge-watching.

Performances:

Ananya Panday as Bella delivers an adequate performance, given the limitations of the script. Varun Sood, as the gym trainer, is underutilized, while Vihaan Samat as Agastya is similarly sidelined. Muskkaan Jaferi gives a decent performance, and Vir Das is serviceable as a cunning news anchor. However, the supporting cast, including Shiv Masand, Gurfateh Pirzada, Lisa Mishra, and Akashdeep Arora, fails to leave a strong impression, primarily due to weak writing.
Call Me Bae lacks the energy and creativity to make it a must-watch series. It feels too safe and uninspired, leaving little room for impact. In an era where grabbing viewer attention is increasingly difficult, complacency simply won’t cut it. Ultimately, it’s a missed opportunity to create something more engaging and memorable.