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Made In Heaven 2: Radhika Apte's Episode of Dalit-Buddhist Wedding Ignites Controversy
The fifth episode of Made In Heaven Season 2 has gained significant attention for its portrayal of a Dalit-Buddhist wedding, with Radhika Apte in the lead role. The episode, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been praised for shedding light on the issue of casteism. In the episode, Apte plays a successful lawyer and Dalit author who enters into a Buddhist wedding with an upper-caste Hindu man.
Although the episode has garnered positive feedback on social media, a recent controversy has emerged. On August 14th, journalist and author Yashica Dutt accused the show's creators of drawing inspiration from incidents in her life without giving her proper credit. The controversy centers around the episode's portrayal of a character launching a book titled 'Coming Out'.
Yashica Dutt pointed out that she had previously written a book titled "Coming Out as Dalit," which provides insights into the experience of being Dalit in India. Taking to Instagram, Dutt expressed how the episode's representation of her life gave her mixed emotions. She commended the show for its depiction of a Dalit-Buddhist wedding while also criticizing the makers for presenting a version of her life without seeking her permission or acknowledging her contributions.
Yashica shared a clip from the episode alongside her statement, praising the makers for their cinematic achievement in showcasing a Dalit-Buddhist wedding. However, she questioned their failure to recognize her influence on the central ideas explored in the episode.
In her Instagram post, Dutt mentioned, "It's been an overwhelming few days. Seeing my likeness on screen without warning or permission was a roller-coaster starting from thrill and excitement to sadness and loss. I continue to support Neeraj Ghaywan's excellent work, but this needs to be addressed."
Dutt emphasized the significance of the episode in transforming cinematic representation by showcasing unapologetic Dalits. She noted that the episode captures the empowerment of a Dalit woman in a caste-conscious society.
Dutt asserted that her ideas were incorporated without permission or acknowledgment, particularly referencing a scene where a Dalit author discusses her personal experiences. She expressed both the surreal feeling of seeing her life on screen and the disappointment of her contributions going unrecognized.
Yashica said that as filmmakers are increasingly featuring Dalit stories, they should acknowledge those who have contributed to shaping these narratives. She appealed to Neeraj Ghaywan, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and the show's creators to formally recognize her work and ideas beyond social media posts and credits.
The controversy remains unresolved, as the show's creators and Amazon Prime Video are yet to respond to Yashica's claims. Made In Heaven, headlined by Arjun Mathur and Sobhita Dhulipala as wedding planners, addresses societal issues within the backdrop of extravagant Indian weddings. The series is directed by notable filmmakers including Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Nitya Mehra.
- PTC PUNJABI
