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Ananya Panday has done it again! After Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, she delivers yet another stellar performance in Prime Video’s new web show,Call Me Bae. And the best part? She brings her authentic self to the screen, representing the new generation, especially Gen Z, with a fresh, relatable, and unique mindset. When she delivers her morning affirmation, “I’m flawsome, I’m awesome. I’m Bae. I’m here to slay,” it doesn’t come across as over the top – it feels real, especially to all the working women in their 20s juggling life and trying to stay sane.
Storyline
In this eight-episode comedy-drama, Ananya Panday plays Bella, aka Bae, born with a "golden spoon in her mouth," who marries a wealthy businessman, Agastya (played by Vihaan Samat). However, things quickly go south in their marriage, or as Bae puts it, “downhills mein chale sirf.” Bae soon finds herself drawn to her gym trainer, Prince (played by Varun Sood), and after being caught in an affair during an office party thrown by her husband, her life takes a sharp turn. The once-super-rich housewife becomes a struggling Mumbaikar overnight.
Bae, a true-blue fashion enthusiast, stumbles through her career until one of her videos, where she boldly challenges journalist Satyajit Sen’s (played by Vir Das) false narrative about simplicity—claiming his outfits are Desi but IRL they're imported—goes viral. This catches the attention of another journalist from the same media house, Neel Nair (played by Gurfateh Pirzada). Neel hires Bae as an intern, and soon after, sparks fly between the two. But what happens next? How does Bae uncover a massive blackmail ring targeting women? What’s the status between her and Agastya, Prince, and Neel? You’ll have to watch the show to find out!
Performances
Ananya Panday shines by just being herself and the perfect girl next door, and that’s the magic of the show. She’s effortlessly 'flawsome' in her own words. She’s easy-going and bubbly, makes mistakes, loves fashion, learns from her experiences, cries, refuses to give up, and always shows up. Isn’t she all of us? Ananya’s portrayal is incredibly relatable, and she embodies the modern woman perfectly.
As for Vihaan, Varun, and Gurfateh, they deserve huge appreciation for playing their roles with utmost perfection. Vihaan nails the role of the business-minded husband, capturing his character’s essence. Varun, as the flamboyant gym trainer, brings charm and leaves no crumbs behind. Gurfateh stands out as a smart, sweet journalist with a strong mindset, grabbing attention with his subtle yet impactful performance.
Direction
Collin D’Cunha delivers a binge-worthy guilty pleasure. The show never drags and keeps you hooked from start to finish. What’s impressive is how seamlessly it transitions from a fun, filmy rich-girl storyline to addressing serious issues like crimes against women, all while maintaining its entertainment quotient. Collin masterfully balances humour, drama, and social commentary, keeping the viewers engaged throughout.
Final Verdict
Call Me Bae is the perfect escape you’ve been craving. Ananya Panday becomes Bae in every sense, and we can’t deny it. Her transformation from a sassy rich woman to someone facing real-life challenges and growing with time is unmissable. She’s flawed, she’s relatable, and that’s her victory. It would be incomplete not to mention the songs—they work perfectly as add-ons to set the mood in certain scenes. If you’re looking for a light yet meaningful watch, this show is exactly what you need.