Movie Name : Emraan Hashmi’s Showtime
Piktalk.com Rating : 2/5
Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Rajeev Khandelwal, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, Vijay Raaz
Directors: Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar
Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah-starrer web show promises us a great juicy deal , on Hotstar.
Hotstar has recently released a new web series titled “Showtime” in various languages. The show features key roles played by Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, and Shriya Saran. Let’s explore and evaluate the series.
Story :
For four decades, Viktory Studios has been a big deal in Bollywood. The founder, Victor Khanna (played by Naseruddin Shah), started it all, but now his son Raghu Khanna (Emraan Hashmi) is the one running the show. While Victor and Raghu have very different ways of thinking, things take a turn when Raghu’s new movie, “Pyaar Dangerous,” hits the screens.
Raghu’s team tries to sweeten the deal by offering Mahika Nandy (Mahima Makwana), a film critic, a little something to give the movie a good review. But Mahika refuses and ends up slamming the film, becoming the talk of the town. In the middle of all this drama, Victor Khanna makes a surprising decision that shakes things up.
Find out how this decision changes the lives of Mahika and Raghu Khanna in the new series “Showtime.”
Positive Aspects :
“Showtime” dives into the secrets of the entertainment world, peeling back the curtain to reveal what really goes on behind closed doors. It explores the glitzy showbiz industry, shining a light on things like the pressure on box office success, manipulating reviews, and the ongoing debate of outsiders versus insiders. The series also takes on the hot topic of nepotism, which has been a big talking point post-lockdown.
For those curious about the inner workings of the industry, “Showtime” touches on various elements that grab your attention. Emraan Hashmi delivers a strong performance as someone fighting to maintain control and influence in the business. Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, and Rajeev Khandelwal do well in their roles, adding to the show’s appeal.
Negative Aspects :
The show kicks off interestingly, with some good moments in the first couple of episodes. However, the next two episodes take a nosedive in terms of writing and become quite boring. You can see the potential, but the way it’s brought to life isn’t satisfying. There’s an unnecessary subplot about domestic violence that feels out of place and doesn’t stir any emotions.
Some things in the series happen too quickly, and there’s a lack of attention to detail. For a show trying to depict real-life events, some developments just don’t feel believable. The idea of an inexperienced person suddenly becoming the CEO of a 40-year-old company sounds odd and somewhat similar to a movie called “Bheeshma” starring Nithiin.
Despite having another season, “Showtime” lacks a proper ending or a cliffhanger to make you eagerly await the next installment. Shriya Saran’s role doesn’t seem very important in this first season. The cameos from Janhvi Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Hansal Mehta, Nitesh Tiwari, and a few others don’t contribute much to the overall story.
Technical Elements:
The music by Anand Bhaskar doesn’t leave a lasting impression. On the positive side, Vivek Shah’s visuals are impressive, offering a rich viewing experience. The show boasts good production values. The editing by Manan Ashwin Mehta keeps the pace brisk, and the episodes are thankfully not overly lengthy.
However, the direction by Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar falls short of expectations. Despite a promising beginning, the show loses its momentum in the final couple of episodes. It fails to generate sufficient interest to eagerly anticipate the remaining episodes.
Conclusion :
In a nutshell, Showtime tries to uncover the not-so-glamorous side of Hindi cinema, but some crucial parts don’t quite make sense. The first two episodes grab your attention, but the next two fall short. Emraan Hashmi shines in his role, and the rest of the cast does a good job.
However, the decision to split the story into two seasons is a bit confusing, and the cliffhanger at the end isn’t very exciting. Showtime ends up being one of those shows that, despite having an intriguing idea, doesn’t quite live up to its full potential.
Piktalk.com Rating: 2/5
Reviewed by Team Piktalk