Netflix India has released Call My Agent on Friday 29th October. Adapted from a French series, the Hindi version of Call My Agent stars Aahana Kumra, Ayush Mehra, Soni Razdan and Rajat Kapoor in the leading role. The Netflix India original also features special appearances by Farah Khan, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha, Lara Dutta, Jackie Shroff, Dia Mirza and more.
Call My Agent's characters are a mixed bag. From a feisty Aahana Kumra to a super sweet Soni Razdan as one of the most experienced Bollywood agents, who hates the word 'agent', this mixed bag are the show's real stars. While each episode handles a new celebrity challenge or rather taunt, the first episode which establishes life inside ART, it does seem a stretch.
While Soni and Rajat Kapoor seem to be the most earnest of the lot, there's little to be a part of this superficial world even though we know it exists in reality. Yes, the writers keep it relevant with the times as Aahana's character is written as a lesbian, but it seems difficult, not impossible, to go back and finish the remaining five episodes. Call My Agent is all glitz and glamour but doesn't score high on solid substance.
The six episodes that comprise the first season closely follow the French series in terms of plotlines, characterisations and situations. All writers Abbas Dalal and Hussain Dalal and director Shaad Ali had to do was replicate the light and engaging tone of the source material and localise the agent-star dynamics for Indian viewers.
Pas de chance. The remake is riddled with shoddy direction, indifferent writing, shabby production values, and barely any insights into the workings of one of the biggest film industries in the world. A moment when Sarika is told that Shaad Ali wants to cast her in a movie and she expresses her delight is surely an in-joke.
The agents, who should be at the heart of the story, suffer the most from the shambolic direction and writing. The plasticky world in which Call My Agent: Bollywood plays out makes few of its conflicts believable, let alone entertaining.
The cameos by the film talent ultimately overshadow the agents. Tigmanshu Dhulia, Farah Khan, Nandita Das and Jackie Shroff each have amusing turns. The project Dhulia is supposed to make, titled Paidaishi Killers (Natural Born Killers), is a movie we would like to see.
Monty, portrayed by a miscast Rajat Kapoor, is barely the smooth operator who has the ability to make or break ART. Aahana Kumra is unable to find the balance between assertiveness and nastiness for Amal. Her character’s ardour for Jasleen is a sorry excuse for gratuitous girl-on-girl moments. Mehershaad, played by Ayush Mehra as a most unlikely Parsi, is still buffering, like much else in this series.
Call My Agent: Bollywood Story
From pulling off casting coups to calming celebrity egos, the drama never stops for four Mumbai talent agents hustling to save their sinking company.
Call My Agent: Bollywood Trailer
Call My Agent: Bollywood is out on Netflix from October 29, 2021.
Details
Director: Update Soon
Writer: Update Soon
Stars: Aahana Kumra, Rajat Kapoor, Suchitra Pillai, StarsSoni Razdan, Ayush Mehra
Summary
From pulling off casting coups to calming celebrity egos, the drama never stops for four Mumbai talent agents hustling to save their sinking company.
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