Digital Review: ‘The Fame Game’ (Netflix)

It seems the whole world waits for certain things and to see Madhuri Dixit making her web debut is surely one of those things. ‘The Fame Game’, previously titled ‘Finding Anamika’, premiered on Netflix on 25th February and has been getting some interesting reactions online. Along with Dixit, Sanjay Kapoor and Manav Kaul are in the main roles with a whole host of others adding to the mix. The show is written by Sri Rao.

Anamika Anand (Dixit) is an actress on top of her game but what she portrays to the world is far from her reality. After returning from an award function where she as in the middle of the razzmatazz, she returns home but disappears in the morning, giving away to an investigation into the events leading upto her disappearance. Who could possibly have done this? And why?

With Bejoy Nambiar and Karishma Kohli joining Rao for the direction of this eight-episode series, the first thing that’s noticeable is that the pace of the story is helped by the chopping and changing between the present and the past. With a lot of films of series, this type of style of unravelling can get super confusing. With ‘The Fame Game’ it keeps up the pace in the most part, and adding pieces to the jigsaw in a viewer’s mind one piece at a time. The story is definitely an interesting one and the twists in the final few episodes are totally unexpected but not without meaning.

There was never really any doubt that Dixit taking on her first web series would be special. And special it most definitely is. This role is suited to the actress to a tee and it’s difficult to imagine anyone else in it. She ticks every possible box there is in this role and provides a unique performance. Her chemistry with Kapoor is fantastic but this time they are playing conflicting characters with him playing a baddie somewhat. The comfort level between them both as actors is very evident. The most exciting part of this series, arguably, is the addition of Kaul. Kaul is undoubtedly a fabulous actor and always a pleasure to see on the screen but what his charisma and charm as the character of Manish Khanna brings about lures you in completely. What’s more is that he provides a fresh bond with Dixit on screen which this series really needs to freshen things up a little. They are electrifying together and it gives viewers an interesting new jodi to get their teeth into. The younger actors such as Muskkaan Jaferi and Lakshvir Singh Saran are strong supporting parts, definitely making their mark despite the very popular main cast. Rajshri Deshpande who takes on the role of the police officer interrogating the main family and getting a rounded picture of Anamika’s disappearance is a great anchor who takes the story forward through her changing outlook of the incident. She provides the direction the story needs when it needs it, aiding the twists to be food for thought.

Overall, this is one web-series which is worth a watch. The prime reason for this will always be Dixit and her on-screen presence which is just magical in this a protagonist’s role. However, there are so many other things about these eight episodes which will keep you entertained. The thrill and suspense is always meaningful and the eventual climax is a little unexpected, even though previous episodes try to build you up for it. The story also gives a strong grounding for how “the fame game” plays out and can hide the deepest secrets but also how you can play it at it’s own rules too. The slowness in some parts can be forgiven because the twists and turns and the unique characters and their back stories are pretty much always enough to make you want to know what happens next. The cliffhanger end is definitely something that will leave you wanting a second season. And why not, if the first is this solid!