Netflix’s latest release The Fame Game saw Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit make her OTT debut. Madhuri Dixit plays Anamika Anand in The Fame Game, and much like her career in Bollywood, the series also shows her as an evergreen star. What it does bring to light is a slightly different world – far from reality – where it’s an actress over 50 thriving in the industry that in the real world, is plagued – for lack of a better word – by actors of the same age.
Directed by Sri Rao, Madhuri Dixit shines brightly throughout the series – even in not-so-glamorous moments. And if that’s not what star power is, I don’t know what is. The actress makes sure to maintain her grip throughout the series with the perfect amount of intensity needed for each reaction. Over-the-top reactions were good in the 90s but Madhuri Dixit understands that now, content is king. She’s no short of a queen either and she understands that the only way to survive this wave of content – which might just be the changing force in Bollywood – is to take let is take over you. And that is what she does in The Fame Game, while maintaining aura, of course.
The Fame Game also stars Muskan Jaferi and Lakshvir Saran as Anamika Anand’s children, and Madhuri Dixit carries them throughout the course of the series. Not only is this the demand of the story, but it also shows her class as an actress to be able to help young actors make their mark on screen. And that is what the new lot did too.
The direction doesn’t fall short anywhere either. Sri Rao is careful with how he wants to execute the story and does so with ease – maintaining the suspense which keeps fans guessing, and hinting at a clue, only to surprise viewers with yet another twist that doesn’t seem forced.
All in all, Madhuri Dixit’s The Fame Game is proof that the actress’ time was never ‘gone’ and that it is her skills and talent that she can mold to suit the need of the hour.
Verdict: 4/5
