Made in Heaven

Made in Heaven is a riveting 2019 Indian web television series from Amazon, headlined by a talented ensemble cast including Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Shashank Arora, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Dalip Tahil, and Vijay Raaz. The show is set in New Delhi and delves into the workings of a wedding planning company, aptly called 'Made in Heaven'. Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the show deftly weaves the personal stories of its central characters along with an insightful gaze into the extravagant world of Indian weddings.

The narrative of Made in Heaven primarily unfolds through the intertwined lives of Tara (played by Sobhita Dhulipala), a woman from a lower-middle-class background who marries into wealth, and Karan (played by Arjun Mathur), a gay man navigating both his professional life and a society that's uneasy with his sexual orientation. They run a wedding planning business together, which allows the narrative to explore the grandeur and idiosyncrasies of Indian weddings while revealing band, baaja, and the drama tucked neatly behind the baraat.

The lens of Made in Heaven is sharp, highlighting the numerous dichotomies present in Indian society, straddling tradition and modernity, social norms and individual aspirations, ostentation and simplicity, adherence and defiance to the traditional marital archetype. Each episode, while centred around a particular wedding event, does a marvellous job at peeling back the layers of societal hypocrisies and the price of maintaining appearances in a class-conscious society.

Arjun Mathur delivers a stellar performance as Karan, effortlessly inhabiting the nuances and struggles of his character trapped in a world that seldom accepts difference. Dhulipala as Tara is deeply convincing, an embodiment of the complex interplay between ambition, love, and duty. These supremely layered performances extend to the supporting cast as well, rendering a vivid tapestry of relatable characters and human relationships.

The show also unabashedly pokes at India's obsession with opulent weddings, expressing the not-so-subtle transactional nature underlining these seemingly joyous, unifying events. Its strength lies not just in the extravagant visual spectacle that these weddings afford, but in the quieter moments of individual struggle, resilience, and transformation.

The characterization is remarkable in Made in Heaven, particularly the protagonists Karan and Tara, who are flawed, complex, and relatable, molded by their unique circumstances and the societal structures they are ensnared in. Their personal struggles and the challenging decisions they have to make strike a universal chord and set them apart from the usual one-dimensional characters seen on Indian television.

One imperative trait that sets Made in Heaven apart is its representation and normalization of LGBTQ characters. The character of Karan, portrayed by Arjun Mathur, is seen not just as a man who happens to be gay, but as a fully realized character, with his own ambitions, fears, and flaws, thereby dismantling prevailing stereotypes.

Moreover, the show uses the milieu of marriages to tackle various diseases of the society such as sexism, dowry, infidelity, class-divide, family pressure, the caste system, patriarchy, and breach of consent. Each episode deals with distinct societal issues and shows how they affect the characters, often reflecting a stark mirror of reality that not many Indian shows do.

From a production standpoint, the show is first-rate, with lush visuals that enhance its storytelling prowess. The meticulous detailing, coupled with a memorable soundtrack, is sure to captivate audiences. There's a certain poetic justice in observing the chaos, tenderness, conflict, and resolution in the midst of extravagant wedding preparations, making for compelling viewing.

In conclusion, Made in Heaven is a paradigm-shifting series that combines the charm of traditional Indian cinema with the gritty realism of contemporary storytelling. It provides a discerning look at the highs and lows caught amidst the merriment, chaos, and opulence of Indian weddings and the societal norms that shape these events. Engaging, evocative, and starkly honest, Made in Heaven is a must-watch for those seeking thoughtful and innovative Indian television. It's a richly layered drama that captivates the viewer's attention with its brilliant narrative, nuanced performances, and the refreshing bravery with which it tackles controversial topics.