Of late, Netflix has started working on expanding its docuseries library, especially in crime genre. Coming up with shows like The Tinder Swindler and Tiger King, Netflix has successfully created a following of the specific genre and is now all set to release another one alike, Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives.
The story makes us visit the life of Sarma Melngailis, one of the biggest names in the raw food services back in 2010s. The popularity of the Pure Food and Wine wasn’t just limited to New York or to the US, the fame was worldwide because of the progressive idea which was way ahead of time back then. But things went haywire for Melngailis and her diner when she got involved with Anthony Strangis, a career criminal, earlier convicted of impersonating a police officer and a grand theft. The trailer of Bad Vegan was dropped recently which gives a certain insight into both the good days of the business and how it completely went south due to Sarma’s outrageous belief in her then-husband, Anthony and his claims.
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives Trailer
The trailer gives an idea of a mind boggling scandal involving Melngailis and her path from being the owner of world famous vegan restaurant to becoming a fugitive, convicted of fraud. The trailer starts with a threatening kind of a recorded conversation where a man demands blind obedience of a woman no matter what he asks for. The scene changes to Pure Food And Wine, a well know New York based vegan restaurant where the ex-employees of the diner tell how the restaurant was just the best place to work in with high profile clients like Owen Wilson who would often come to for a stroll in the kitchen and what not.
But the praises didn’t last long and came out a truth that just doesn’t make sense but is the truth. Sarma met a mysterious guy named Anthony online and in no time the pair tied the knot. Things go weird when the guy tells Sarma that he can make her and her dog immortal in exchange of complete obedience, which disturbingly, Sarma accepted. And in no time, a lot of restaurant’s money started going to Anthony’s pockets including financers, investors and employees’ share.
In January 2015, the employees walked out due to Sarma’s failure to pay the wages. Sarma tried to sweep the matter under the rug but failed to do so. The restaurant was shut down but opened again in April, however, majority of the staff didn’t return. Once again in July, the employees walked out to unpaid wages and the restaurant was permanently shut. At this point, the husband and wife duo came into the law enforcers radar and tried their best to evade them. However, a domino’s order by Anthony’s real name in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, got them caught. As per the trailer, Sarma, herself, would be there in front of the camera to shed light on the controversy along with the other related people.
When will Bad Vegan release on Netflix?
With the convicted, the investigators and the victims coming together, the viewers will unravel the story behind one of the biggest scandals of New York City in Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. on March 16. 2022 on Netflix.