Critics Review:
TVF has built an enviable reputation over the years. Whether it is the grounded storytelling of Aspirants, the warmth of Gullak, the realism of Panchayat, the emotional turmoil of Kota Factory, or the philosophical battle between dreams and destiny in Sapne vs Everyone, the production house has consistently delivered stories that connect with audiences beyond entertainment. Which is precisely why The Pyramid Scheme feels disappointing.
Starring Paramvir Singh Cheema, Ranvir Shorey, Shekhar Suman, Aanjjan Srivastav, Alfia Jafry, Ashish Raghav, Smita Bansal, Ravi Behl, Sonal Jha, Akhilendra Mishra, Indresh Malik, Sushant Singh, and Gulshan Suryavanshi the series takes up a subject that is both relevant and important. Unfortunately, despite its noble intentions, it struggles to rise above surface-level observations.
A Scam We Could Spot from Episode One
One of the biggest issues with The Pyramid Scheme is that it spends too much time revealing what the audience already knows. Right from the title, promotional material, and opening episodes, it is clear that the company at the centre of the story is a fraudulent MLM operation. There is little suspense surrounding that revelation. The challenge, therefore, was never to expose the scam.
The challenge was to explain how such scams operate, why intelligent people fall prey to them, and how they continue to thrive despite obvious warning signs. Sadly, the series only scratches the surface.
A Weak Understanding of the MLM Ecosystem
The biggest drawback of the writing is its apparent lack of understanding of the multi-level marketing world.
A successful MLM operation is rarely about products. It is about dreams. It is about creating aspiration, manufacturing success stories, exploiting emotional vulnerabilities, and convincing people that financial freedom is just one recruitment away. The show touches these aspects but never explores them in depth.
In fact, even the product ecosystem appears confused. What begins as a company selling everyday products such as perfumes and toothpaste suddenly expands into fans, air conditioners, and even AI courses. The transition is so abrupt that it feels less like business expansion and more like random additions to keep the plot moving. The result is a world that feels artificial rather than believable.
However, to be fair, the research team has not entirely missed the technical side of the MLM world. Terms such as upline, downline, and CBV (Commissionable Business Volume) are used correctly, and the broad operational structure of the network is represented with reasonable accuracy. However, the problem lies in how these concepts are introduced. Rather than organically building the audience’s understanding of the system from the beginning, the jargon suddenly appears at moments when the plot desperately needs it. For viewers unfamiliar with MLM structures, these terms may feel like convenient narrative tools instead of integral parts of the ecosystem. Had the series invested more time in explaining how these hierarchies function and how commissions, targets, and recruitment cycles drive the business, the scam would have felt far more authentic and threatening.
The Most Real Aspect of the Story
Ironically, the strongest part of The Pyramid Scheme has very little to do with the scheme itself. The series works best when it focuses on the desperation of young Indians searching for opportunities.
In a country where employment remains a challenge for millions, the promise of quick success often becomes irresistible. The show effectively highlights how hope can become a weapon in the hands of manipulators. Many youngsters who join such organisations are not foolish. They are ambitious. They are desperate. They are looking for a way out. Those moments carry emotional weight and remind viewers why these scams continue to flourish.
A Stellar Cast Carrying a Weak Script
If The Pyramid Scheme remains watchable, it is largely because of its performers. Paramvir Singh Cheema once again proves why he is one of the most exciting actors working today.
There is sincerity and vulnerability in his performance that keeps the audience invested even when the screenplay falters.
Ranvir Shorey delivers a measured and effective performance, while Shekhar Suman brings gravitas to every scene he appears in. Similarly, Sushant Singh, Ravi Behl, and the rest of the ensemble do everything they can to make the material work. The problem is not the actors. The problem is that the writing rarely gives them enough to work with.
Too Many Red Flags, Too Few Questions
One peculiar aspect of the series is how casually most characters ignore glaring warning signs. Everything about the company is excessively grand, unusually fast, and suspiciously profitable. In real life, those are often the first indicators of a scam. Yet only a handful of characters seem capable of recognising them. The rest continue following the dream despite repeated reasons to question it. While some eventually realise the truth, the journey towards that realisation feels rushed and underdeveloped.
An Ending That Solves Nothing
The final few episodes further weaken the narrative. Instead of offering meaningful closure, the story appears more interested in creating a setup for a future season. The cliffhanger feels forced rather than earned. Rather than answering important questions or completing character journeys, it leaves the audience with the feeling that the story simply stopped midway. There is a significant difference between leaving room for a sequel and withholding a conclusion. Unfortunately, The Pyramid Scheme leans towards the latter.
The TVF Burden
Perhaps the harshest criticism of The Pyramid Scheme comes from the standards set by TVF itself. This is the same production house that gave audiences stories where every character felt real, every conflict felt personal, and every emotional moment felt earned. Compared to those benchmarks, The Pyramid Scheme feels surprisingly undercooked. The intent is commendable. The performances are solid. The subject is relevant. But the execution never reaches the level expected from a TVF production.
Final Verdict
The Pyramid Scheme is not a bad show. It is simply an average show carrying the expectations of an exceptional production house.
While it raises important questions about unemployment, ambition, and financial exploitation, it never dives deep enough into the mechanics of MLM culture to become the definitive story it wants to be. The research is visible in fragments, but the storytelling never fully capitalises on it. The writers seem aware of the terminology and framework of MLM operations, yet they stop short of translating that knowledge into a compelling and educational narrative. Supported by strong performances from Paramvir Singh Cheema, Ranvir Shorey, Shekhar Suman, and the ensemble cast, the series remains watchable but never truly memorable.
The Pyramid Scheme wanted to expose a fraud. Unfortunately, in the process, it forgot that understanding the fraud is often more important than merely revealing it.
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
By: Anushka Singhal
