The trailer for Netflix’s The Fame Game (2022) shared a glimpse into the life of film star Anamika Anand, played by Madhuri Dixit Nene, who disappears without a trace, leaving behind some secrets.
The virtual launch was attended by producers Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, producer, showrunner and writer Sri Rao, co-directors Bejoy Nambiar and Karishma Kohli, Netflix India’s vice-president of content Monika Shergill, and the cast of the series.
The Indian web-series trailer was premiered in the week in which the streaming platform first began 10 years ago with its original European series, Lilyhammer (2012). This week, Netflix also nabbed 27 Oscar nominations, the highest of any film studio, Shergill said. She called the upcoming series a “first-of-its-kind family mystery drama” that will keep the viewer wanting more.
“It’s a story about family, the love we sometimes find hard to express, the secrets we keep, and the wounds we unfortunately inflict on each other," Shergill said. "Everyone’s got an act that conflicts with their dreams and beliefs.”
Dixit Nene makes her streaming debut with Netflix; it is also the platform’s first collaboration with Dharmatic, digital arm of Dharma Productions.
Producer Karan Johar added, “The Fame Game is much more than what it appears to be. Behind the life of every single movie star there lies a story that you don’t know. There lies a mystery that you are not aware of. There are secrets that perhaps no one knows. This is not just applicable to our character Anamika, but to every single movie [star] in the world.”
The actress and Johar have known each since they worked on Yash Chopra's Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), but they only worked together thereafter with her special appearance in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), and her role in the multi-starrer Kalank (2019).
Showrunner Sri Rao narrated his vision for series. He stated, “The Fame Game is a very special series for me that's been three years in the making! It all started with one very simple vision: to create a character and story for Madhuri Dixit that will do justice to her incredible talent as an actress. Along with the rest of the world, I've been a fan of Madhuri's for close to 30 years, so when I was in a position to create a series for Netflix, I knew I wanted it to center on this brilliant artiste, to showcase her versatility and breadth as an actor who's at the top of her craft.
"In the role of Anamika Anand, she takes on every shade and enlightens every aspect of a woman — from mother to wife to daughter to lover to superstar. I guarantee you, The Fame Game will be a thrilling ride. You've never seen Madhuri Dixit quite like this before!”
The series has been co-directed by Bejoy Nambiar and Karishma Kohli. They joked about a healthy competition between them while directing the series. Nambiar added that he had made a friend for life with Kohli.
The ensemble cast, which includes Sanjay Kapoor, Manav Kaul, Suhasini Mulay, Muskkaan Jaferi and Lakshvir Saran, was also present for the launch. The trailer revealed that actress Rajshri Deshpande plays an investigative officer in Anamika Anand’s disappearance.
Sanjay Kapoor and Dixit Nene have previously worked together in Raja (1995) and Mohabbat (1997). Calling it an unbelievable experience, the actor said, “Working with [Madhuri] is a pleasure, she’s been very supportive. The first shot I gave was way back in 1993 and I didn’t feel that I’m working with a superstar. Today, when she is playing a superstar, on set, she was as simple as possible. It’s a privilege to work with her.”
Speaking about the show’s response and her foray into web-series, Dixit Nene said it had all been very positive. “I’m very fortunate,” the actress said about her journey to stardom. “My life has been good. [It's] very different from what Anamika Anand went through in her life. I think my life has been blessed. I have someone looking over me always. I have a lovely family, lovely co-artistes. In my life, I was fortunate to work with such good directors, and the love from people I have received, that’s most important for me.”
Produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, the suspenseful family drama will be premiered on 25 February.