Showtime Review: Emraan Hashmi-Starrer Is Astutely Mounted & Promises More Complex Power Dynamics

Director:  Archit Kumar

Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, Rajeev Khandelwal, Shriya Saran, Neeraj Madhav, Vijay Raaz, Vishal Vashishtha, Gurpreet Saini

Where: Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar

Rating: 3 stars

With a mundane title like ‘Showtime,’ what do you expect?

An insight into the glitz, glamour, and drama in the film industry, where time alters fortunes and destinies. This is exactly what you get.

But since the happenings in Bollywood are written in-depth, there is a familiarity to the content, and you may feel as though you have come across the plot before. However, despite this, the story in this series is rooted in fiction. 

There are numerous subplots in the series that showcase the enormous pressures and realities of such a cut-throat industry. Whether it is the intense rivalries between production houses or the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of stardom, the series offers a compelling exploration of the highs and lows of life in showbiz.

This series plunges you into the heart of the industry as it follows the on-goings at Viktory Studios, which was- built and nurtured by the ace director Viktor Khanna (Naseeruddin Shah). How the affluent studio on the threshold of many productions passes hands from his son, Raghu Khanna (Emraan Hashmi), to his granddaughter, Mahika Nandy (Mahima Makwana), is the crux of the first episode.

Of the four episodes provided for review, we learn about the subtleties and economics of the industry and the workings of a studio. We also get to see the manipulation of egos and the dynamics between fathers-sons, actors, lovers, and siblings. 

The narrative focuses more on the interpersonal relationship between the characters versus the actual shooting, casting, and other concepts of the industry. Well, this is not to say that it eliminates the work aspect of their lives. It uses this professional chaos to fuel personal decisions.

While the narrative weaves in a rich cinematic fabric, the script has the energy and direction that comes from first-hand experience, and thus, the sharp dialogues and the fine performances capture our attention.

Mahima Makwana has promise. With the show pivoting on her, she is impressive, as Mahika Nandy.

Emraan Hashmi essays the disgruntled Raghu Khanna to perfection. So does Rajeev Khandelwal, portraying the insecurities and idiosyncrasies of Superstar Armaan Singh. Mouni Roy is seductive as dancer Yasmin Ali, who now wants to graduate to meaty roles.

The series is star-studded with actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey playing his second wife, Sriya Sharan as Armaan Singh’s wife Mandira, Vijay Raaz as a wannabe filmmaker, there are many other big names from the industry making guest appearances too.

The series, mounted with ace production values, promises more complex power dynamics in the forthcoming episodes.

Overall, despite being passionately mounted, there is an air of campiness to the series, making it a bitter pill of a series from its creators. Everything is a “commodity,” and this one feels like a generic me-too product.