Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives: Only Hype No Substance

October 19, 2024: On Friday, October 19, Netflix dropped Season 3 of Bollywood Wives, rebranded with a twist as Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives. The new season promised a Delhi vs. Mumbai face-off by introducing three so-called Delhi girls. However, as any real Delhiite might ask: “Kya tha yeh?”

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Delhi, a city with over 5,000 years of history, rich in culture, politics, and diversity, was reduced to a superficial portrayal. Instead of showcasing Delhi’s vibrant festivals, legendary street food, or power-driven elites, the show leaned into tired stereotypes—over-the-top fashion, a lifeless party at the Taj with people wearing ‘bartan’ on their heads, and a forced Karwa Chauth organised by Ridhima Kapoor.

It appears the three Delhi women, Ridhima Kapoor, Shalini Passi, and Kalyani Saha barely knew one another. And the biggest shock? These women don’t seem to represent Delhi at all.

While Sundar Nursery was a refreshing location highlight, the rest of the show failed to capture the essence of the capital city. From influential businesswomen and designers to celebrated street food stalls and artists, Delhi is alive with culture, power, and creativity. Yet, the show glossed over all of this, leaving viewers with nothing but shallow drama.

Even in the food department, the show missed the mark. Neelam had Chola Bhaturas at Kwality, a restaurant that’s past its heyday. In a city with some of the finest cuisine and celebrated food spots, a quick glance at the Times Food Guide would have offered better options.

Shalini Passi, who was supposed to represent Delhi’s high society, came off as a caricature. From her bizarre statements to her equally strange wardrobe choices, Shalini stumbled through the season—whether singing off-key, diving in designer outfits, or rambling on irrelevant topics.

Overall, the series offered no real takeaway. It lacked juicy Bollywood gossip, behind-the-scenes insights, or even interesting trips to film sets. The Delhi vs. Mumbai rivalry felt forced, with no clear purpose, as the Bollywood Wives—Maheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari, Bhavana Panday, and Seema Sajdeh—claimed they had “enough of the Delhi girls.” But what exactly was enough? The show left us wondering.

The Karwa Chauth episode, in particular, felt unnecessary and painfully dull, while a trip to Mauritius did offer a slight reprieve—more credit to the beautiful island and its tourism efforts than the cast or storyline. The trip showcased some of Mauritius’ best assets, such as the rum distillery, wildlife sanctuary, and stunning beaches.

Cameos by Bollywood heavyweights like Saif Ali Khan, Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor, Neetu Singh, and Gauri Khan added a touch of star power, but it wasn’t enough to save this dull and repetitive season. Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives may have been high on hype, but it delivered very little in terms of substance or entertainment.