Showtime ending explained - Emraan Hashmi and Mahima Makwana's conflict deepens, setting stage for intense second half

Showtime's season finale promises a high-stakes battle between Emraan Hashmi and Mahima Makwana's characters, Raghu and Mahika, as tensions escalate.

Emraan Hashmi and Mahima Makwana in a still from Showtime

Only four episodes from Showtime are out, and the rest of the episodes from the first season will be out in June this year. If you've started watching the show, be prepared for the cliffhanger, as the Bollywood expose continues nearly three months later. However, the end of Showtime gives a hint as to how the drama will unfold further, as the battle between Raghu Khanna (Emraan Hashmi) and Mahika Nandy (Mahima Makwana) is not ending anytime soon.

The conflict unfolds: Raghu vs. Mahika

In Showtime Victor Khanna (Naseeruddin Shah), the once-famous "Godfather of Romance," is feuding with his brash but charming son, Raghu Khanna. Victor believes Raghu has ruined his heritage by turning into a sellout and producing soulless flicks. In a startling change of circumstances, an ailing Victor makes one last attempt to salvage Viktory's legacy by handing over the studio to an unknown in the industry, an idealistic young journalist called Mahika Nandy. Mahika and Raghu begin a violent fight over control of Viktory Studios' legacy. The uncertain inheritance sparks a debate between new ideas and established techniques, creative ambition, and commercial pragmatism, with outsiders confronting the Bollywood establishment. 

The struggle begins, with both of them furiously competing for allies, stars, finances, and projects, even forsaking relationships and principles to keep their companies afloat. Amidst the chaos, an unexpected new player emerges, hoping to capitalise on their antagonism. The series tells a riveting story of ambition, sacrifice, and moral compromise in the turbulent world of Bollywood. It highlights the complexities of the profession, providing an intimate representation that goes beyond the glitz and glamour, revealing the weaknesses and problems that lie beneath the surface. 

ALSO READ: Showtime review - Emraan Hashmi and Mahima Makwana's series goes on a stereotypical stroll through Bollywood's glitz without the grit

We see that as victories and defeats build on both sides, Mahika and Raghu go far enough to remain in the game.

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Scandal and intrigue: Threats to Viktory Studios

In order to secure their survival, Raghu and Mahika begin over and compete for superstar Armaan (Rajeev Khandewal). Armaan's decision to choose Mahika is obvious. He harasses and ultimately replaces his female co-star, who receives praise from the director. This leads to Raghu taking an undue advantage by casting her alongside Armaan's wife, Mandira (Shriya Saran), while replacing his own girlfriend, Yasmin (Mouni Roy). In this process, Raghu and Mahika don't stop facing difficult realities about themselves while they establish their careers.

Meanwhile, in the last episode, we see that a new scandal jeopardises Viktory Studios' future amid the mayhem leading up to the premiere of Screw Dheela. Yasmin becomes pregnant, and Mahika threatens to expose this information to the media, which can have a very negative impact on Raghu because he is the father of the child. On the other hand, Armaan's affair with a starlet comes out in public, revealing that he is cheating on his wife. This leads to the public demanding a boycott of his film on Tatya Tope, as he is playing the historical character.

Now, we have to wait and see what is up in the second part, while this pulpy story gets beaten more to bring out the meaty content that the cliffhanger promises.

ALSO READ: Showtime review: Stereotypes and clichés overshadow talent in Bollywood exposé

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