I love stand-up comedy. If you go through my Google search, you’ll only find names of more and more stand-up comedians each day. So obviously, after reading Bhaag Beanie Bhaag‘s synopsis while compiling the December watchlist (if you don’t know about this, shame on you), I was pretty interested. Bhaag Beanie Bhaag is the latest release on Netflix, starring Swara Bhaskar as the main lead. I binge-watched it over the last couple of hours, and here’s my review for you.
Toh, Beanie aakhir kyun bhaagi?
Swara Bhaskar plays the role of Beanie Bhatnagar, an MBA graduate working in a 9-5 job whose boyfriend Arun Kalra (Varun Thakur) surprises her with a proposal. The only problem is that no one waits for Beanie’s approval and the families excitedly go into full-on roka mode. On the day of the roka, Beanie’s would-be saasu maa selects a dress that makes her look like a safed kabootar, while Arun surprises her with a 4 BHK flat. Overwhelmed by the pace of everything, Beanie freaks out and runs away from the party to attend a stand-up show. What follows next is six episodes of ‘Bhagodi Beanie Bhatnagar’ finding her way in life through stand-up, freedom, and hallucinations.
As someone who has dearly loved Swara in projects like Nil Battey Sannata and Raanjhanaa but questioned her choices because of Anaarkali of Aarah and Rasbhari, I really had no concrete stand on whether I love her or not. So, diving into Bhaag Beanie Bhaag was fairly easy for me as I had no pre-determined ’emotions’ in any way. The two things that interested me were the synopsis and the ‘romantic comedy’ genre. While the synopsis was fine, I’m not sure I agree with the genre. It’s neither romantic nor a comedy. Of course, they’ve attempted to make it so, but have kind of missed the bus on it.
Are we millennials really like this?
Why do millennial shows today think the path to finding yourself is hooking up with random dudes? Also, out of every gig that Beanie gets, the one that gets her the most laughs is a piece on her sexcapades. Either the film industry doesn’t know the real struggles of people in their late 20s, or maybe I am not fit for my generation. I’d like to believe the former though.
The show has special appearances by stand-up comics like Rahul Subramanian, Kaneez Surka, and Sejal Bhatt while Varun Thakur, Ravi Patel, and influencer Dolly Singh are supporting characters. One thing I did like in the show was the depiction of the process of becoming a stand-up comic. I don’t know how accurate it is, but it was definitely interesting to watch how someone analyses one’s own humour quotient to be better. Ravi Patel’s mentoring improv game on ‘Are you a cab?’ was fun to watch too as it makes your brain work as well.
Here’s my participation — Are you a cab? Cuz I would never trust you on a deserted road.
Bhaag Beanie Bhaag: Final thoughts
All in all, the show is okay-ish to watch. Swara is great as Beanie, Dolly is great as Kapi, Varun is great as Arun, and Ravi is great as Ravi. Basically, the cast is great but what bums you out is the thought that it could’ve been so much better. The jokes could’ve been funnier, the romance could’ve been…well, romance, and not forced flirting and jumpy-horny-awkward make-out sessions. As for continuity, it didn’t really end on a cliffhanger or anything that would excite you for a season two. Bhaag Beanie Bhaag could’ve easily been a dedh ghante ki movie.
Also, for all those who are wondering if it’s a ditto copy of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, no, it isn’t. Mrs Maisel was married, Beanie is not. So, not ditto. Also, will someone please call Netflix about the disturbing subtitles for the English dialogues?
See what I mean? Thanks.
Watch Bhaag Beanie Bhaag on Netflix.
