Listen to Story Release Date: 23 Aug, 2024 In the eighth episode of Follow Kar Lo Yaar , fashion designer Sandeep Khosla empathetically talks about cheering for those with big ambitions. He is referring to Uorfi Javed and her desire to have 100 million followers on Instagram. It is probably because of the same emotion that you manage to sit through the nine episodes of Follow Kar Lo Yaar , an unscripted show on Prime Video that delves into Uorfi and her family's lives.
It's confusing if the show was meant to give audiences a new perspective on Uorfi, introduce her family to the industry, or help her gain investment for her business, which she plans to build as a unicorn. At times, she does show her vulnerable side, but with cameras around, you don't know how much to believe. While we understand the makers wanted to be 'real' for this reality show, it's absurd how they even opened the door to her counselling sessions with her shrink.
Isn't that against medical ethics? Anyone who's missing Bigg Boss on screen now can definitely give the show a try. It has screeching fights, abuses, people backbiting about each other, and even tears. Minutes into the series, we are introduced to Uorfi Javed's sisters, Uurusa and Asfi.
Later, we also meet her other siblings Dolly and Sameer, and their mother, who has single-handedly brought them up for more than a decade now. While Uurusa and Asfi, who are also working in the industry, seem to have a mind of their own, Dolly often plays the role of a yes-woman to her elder sister, whom she considers her biggest inspiration. There is also a manager, who is also her sister's boyfriend, and they together spell dysfunctional in capital letters.
Coming to Uorfi and her antics, the fashionista oscillates between desperation and inspiration. Her harsh treatment of her managers and condescending attitude towards her sisters can be very off-putting. While she does confess to having anger issues because of her childhood trauma, it comes across as unprofessional and disrespectful.
There are many moments when she even subtly taunts her sisters for not having a successful career like hers. It's also so unpleasing to see her act like their fairy godmother, advising and pushing them into building their careers. There's also the constant cry "I do not have fans; I only have haters" that gets on you after a point.
Given that Uorfi embodies self-confidence like no one else on the internet right now, it's disappointing to see this kind of emotion, which we don't know is gloating or self-pity. It's almost like she wants to prove that the world is against her. Uorfi also claims she is way above the influencers on social media and is on a journey to build her brand.
You get to see the fire in her to take the brave path of entrepreneurship. One must also appreciate the hard work she puts into every attire to get the most out of that 15 minutes of pap meet. The social media star also speaks uninhibitedly about using 'injections' to enhance her beauty, and wanting to get breast implants to be the Indian Kim Kardashian.
A post shared by Uorfi (@urf7i) Follow Kar Lo Yaar is actually an amalgamation of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Bigg Boss and gives audiences the same voyeuristic pleasure. She even introduced her brother as the Rob Kardashian in the family. The sisters fight like sworn enemies but also have each other's backs.
They are splitting images of each other and even sound quite similar. Bonded over how their father abandoned them, their love for their mother, and their zidd (determination) to prove their naysayers wrong, keep the wheel rolling in this family. Guest appearances by Munawar Faruqui, Orry, and Sandeep Khosla also try to give a new dimension to Uorfi's personality.
While Munawar lauds her bindaas attitude, Orry reveals that Uorfi is not just the firebrand she projects herself as but is quite a calm, sweet person. Sandeep Khosla, who has been the first designer to work with Uorfi, talks about how he was impressed by her creativity and passion. But in the same breath, he also advises her to zip it a bit and focus on the bigger picture.
Directed by Sandeep Kukreja, the show feels slightly stretched, with conversations often looping, particularly within the family. It could well be two episodes shorter. With impressive production quality, the show is aesthetic, and we even get to travel to Lucknow, to Uorfi's house.
Even though it's been called an unscripted show, there are a couple of plots that seem designed to add to the drama. But all's fair in love, war, and reality shows. People who have been following Uorfi Javed already know about her struggle and thus would be more emotionally connected to the show.
As for those who dislike her, they would call it just another gimmick. For the neutral audience like me, it's a window that gives a sneak peek into the struggle of creators like Uorfi who must slog to stay relevant in a time when there is a new face waiting to take centre stage. Follow Kar Lo Yaar is quite a reflection of Uorfi Javed herself—unfiltered, controversial, funny, bold, and undeniably all things OTT.
Whether she can win over new audiences with this show remains uncertain. So, tell us, will you be following her, yaar ?.
