“Showtime,” a film that graced the screens on March 8, 2024, boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, Rajeev Khandelwal, Shriya Saran, Vijay Raaz, Naseeruddin Shah, and more. Directed by Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar, this cinematic endeavor was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of producers Anand Raichura, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, Mihir Desai, and Karan Johar.
Despite receiving a rating of 2.5 stars, “Showtime” delivers an engaging narrative and captivating performances that keep audiences hooked from start to finish. Anand Bhaskar’s music sets the mood, perfectly complemented by Vivek Shah’s stunning cinematography, which captures the essence of each scene with finesse.
As the story unfolds, viewers are taken on a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. With themes ranging from love and betrayal to redemption and self-discovery, “Showtime” offers a rich tapestry of emotions that resonate deeply with audiences.
Manan Ashwin Mehta’s expert editing ensures that the film maintains a seamless flow, allowing the narrative to unfold organically while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
In conclusion, while “Showtime” may not have achieved the highest rating, it remains a testament to the dedication and creativity of its cast and crew. With its gripping storyline, stellar performances, and technical brilliance, the film offers viewers an immersive cinematic experience that leaves a lasting impact.
Relevant Links: Trailer
Hotstar launched a new web series called “Showtime” in several languages. Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, and Shriya Saran play prominent roles. Let’s see how the series fared.
Story:
Viktory Studios has a 40-year history in Bollywood. Victor and Raghu Khanna have very different thought processes and ideologies. The differences between father and son continue to grow, which coincides with the release of Raghu Khanna’s new film, Pyaar Dangerous. Raghu’s team offers a bribe to a movie critic, Mahika Nandy (Mahima Makwana), in exchange for a favorable rating. Mahika denies it and criticizes the movie, making her the talk of the town. In the midst of all this, Victor Khanna makes a shocking decision. Showtime tells the story of how Mahika and Raghu Khanna’s lives were changed by that decision.
Plus points:
Showtime attempts to reveal what goes on behind closed doors. It discusses a variety of aspects of the entertainment industry, including giving more emphasis to box office and review manipulations, as well as the outsider vs. insider debate. Nepotism is one of the most widely discussed topics since the lockdown, and the show revolves around it. There was a time when South films outperformed Hindi films, prompting speculation that South cinema would take over Bollywood. Elements like these pique our interest.
Those who want to know what goes on behind the scenes in the industry will relate to a few aspects of the series. Emraan Hashmi delivered a strong performance as someone who goes to great lengths to reestablish his control and power in the industry. Mahima Makwana, Mouni Roy, and Rajeev Khandelwal perform admirably in their respective roles.
Minus points:
The show begins on an interesting note, and there are many enjoyable moments in the first few episodes, but the remaining two are poorly written and boring. The potential is obvious, but the execution is inadequate. A subplot about domestic violence is unnecessary. It feels out of place and elicits no emotion.
A few things happen quickly, and there is little attention to detail. Several developments in a series that attempts to depict real-life events are unconvincing. An inexperienced person becoming CEO of a 40-year-old company overnight seemed strange, and it reminded me of Nithiin’s film Bheeshma.
There is another season on Showtime, but the series lacks a proper ending or cliffhanger to keep viewers interested until the second installment. Shriya Saran’s role is relatively minor in this first season. The appearances of Janhvi Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur, Hansal Mehta, Nitesh Tiwari, and a few others add little value to the story.
Technical aspects:
Anand Bhaskar’s music isn’t particularly great. Vivek Shah’s visuals are rich, and the show has good production values. Manan Ashwin Mehta’s editing is racy, and the best part is that the episodes aren’t overly long.
Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar’s direction falls short. Despite a promising start, the show loses momentum in the final few episodes. It doesn’t pique my interest enough to make me want to watch the rest.
Verdict:
Overall, Showtime sheds light on the dark side of Hindi cinema, but a few key aspects do not appear convincing. The first two episodes are interesting, but the remaining two are not. Emraan Hashmi delivers an outstanding performance, and the other actors are competent in their roles. The decision to have two seasons is perplexing, and the cliffhanger is weak. Despite its intriguing premise, Showtime joins the ranks of shows that fail to live up to their full potential.
