Showtime Review: Emraan Hashmi Shines In This Bollywood Drama Series But 4 Episodes Fail To Keep Us Hooked!
Waiting for it to get better!
2 / 5
The Bollywood industry is full of complex stories, some known and some unknown. Showtime is a web series that explores the inner workings of Bollywood, revealing its hidden complexities. Under the direction of Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar, and with the creative brilliance of our esteemed writer, this series promises to be an unforgettable experience. Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment and premiering on Disney+ Hotstar on March 8, 2024, along with a stellar cast including Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, Rajeev Khandelwal, Shriya Saran, Vishal Vashishtha, Naseeruddin Shah, and Vijay Raaz, Showtime promises to offer a peek into the glamour and drama that goes behind the silver screen, but fails to deliver the peek due to the element of anticipation left with the audience.
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Plot
Naseeruddin Shah portrays Victor Khanna, an aged Bollywood producer, while Emraan Hashmi plays his son Raghu Khanna. Their relationship is strained due to their differing approaches to filmmaking: Victor favours original, narrative-driven films, while Raghu prioritizes profit-driven productions. Upon Victor’s death, his company, Victory Studios, finds a new heir in Mahika Nandy, a young entertainment journalist portrayed by Mahima Makwana. The web series, spanning four episodes, depicts the rivalry between Raghu, who has lost his empire and now stands as an outsider, and Mahika Nandy, the fresh face in the industry and the inheritor of the esteemed Victory Studios.
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Apart from the mentioned characters, there is a young model aspiring to establish herself in the industry: Yasmin, portrayed by Mouni Roy, a former female actor longing for a comeback to the big screen: Mandira, played by Shriya Saran, a financier enticed by the allure of South cinemas, and a star seeking stardom through his first action-packed project: Armaan, portrayed by Rajeev Khandelwal.
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Also Read: Showtime Teaser: From Cast To Nepotism Debate, 5 Reasons Why We’re Excited For KJo’s Emraan Hashmi Starrer Series!
Performances
Emraan Hashmi’s performance undoubtedly steals the spotlight in the series. Portraying the character of a greedy, selfish, and egotistical film producer, Hashmi fully embodies the role. Despite being depicted as a morally ambiguous character and somewhat the antagonist of the series, the audience finds themselves empathizing with his predicament, making it difficult not to root for him. However, it must be noted that the strength of Hashmi’s performance highlights the weaknesses of other actors, who fail to shine as brightly in comparison.
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Mahima Makwana, playing Mahika Nandy, one of the main characters in the web series, doesn’t quite capture the raw impact of someone new to the industry. Her transformation from a naive entertainment journalist to a confident businesswoman after a sudden change in fate feels lacking. Mahima’s character struggles to resonate with the audience as both an outsider and the new head of Victory Studios due to weak writing and an excessive focus on drama in their lives. Given the four-episode release of Showtime, it is hard to see any ground-breaking character development in Mahima’s character.
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Looking at the other characters, Mouni Roy plays a model and up-and-coming Bollywood star, but her role in the four episodes mostly revolves around being Raghu Khanna’s love interest. Despite the ups and downs shown in her character’s life, Mouni’s performance doesn’t stand out much, and there’s room for improvement in future episodes. Rajeev Khandelwal does a good job playing an arrogant movie star, adding some funny moments to the series that viewers enjoy. His portrayal of a movie star and his jealousy towards his wife, played by Shriya Saran, is a bit exaggerated at times, but overall, his character stays true to the script. Naseeruddin Shah’s short appearance at the beginning of the series leaves a strong impression.
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Also Read: Showtime Trailer: Emraan Hashmi, Mouni Roy, Mahima Makwana Starrer Stirs Debate On Nepotism, Stardom And More
Verdict
The series initially aimed to explore the hidden world behind the glamour of Bollywood, but it seems to lose its focus from the first episode. While Showtime may appeal to viewers seeking a drama-filled binge-watch, those craving a compelling storyline might be disappointed. Moreover, splitting the series into two parts could backfire, especially with the abundance of binge-worthy content available. The plot feels underdeveloped within the limited four episodes, diluting the original concept.
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When it comes to the drama element, being one of Dramatic Entertainment’s projects, Showtime definitely revolves around constant drama but not enough to keep you at the edge of your seats. The upcoming episodes might offer a fresh perspective, provided the series regains control over its performances and storyline. Otherwise, Showtime risks becoming just another Bollywood masala show, enjoyable only during snack time. Despite its potential, if the series follows the path of never-ending soap operas like Kyun Ki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, viewers might quickly forget its twists and turns after a single watch.
First Published: March 12, 2024 11:22 AM
