Breaking the stereotypes of Indians being shy IT computer nerds or funny comedic relief
With globalization shrinking the world's borders, media of all kinds are adapting to an international audience, catering to people from different backgrounds and ethnicities. And with India being one of the leading countries from which brain drain, i.e, high-skilled workforce migration occurs, it’s no surprise that the four and a half million people who are of Indian descent desire to feel included and represented in popular media, to experience the happiness of finding a relatable character or a hero who looks just like them, the pride swelling in their chests upon having their traditions, beliefs, and customs reflected on-screen.
Additionally, with the movie RRR winning multiple international awards such as the Golden Globes and an Oscar, the limelight is shining upon Indian filmmaking and its culture, so it’s high time Indians are represented more than the poor, impoverished people as seen in the acclaimed but stereotypical movie Slumdog Millionaire.
1. Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a comedy-drama television series starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. The show is supposedly loosely based on Kaling's childhood experiences. It premiered on Netflix on April 27, 2020, and is about an Indian-American high school student dealing with the sudden death of her father. The series received extremely favorable reviews and has been praised for breaking Asian stereotypes.
The casting of a real Indian teenager who looks like an everyday person you would see at your high school is a breath of fresh air in the slew of seemingly model-looking high schoolers. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the actress who plays the main character, adds a charming, refreshingly relatable quality in her version of Devi, who is flawed in the way normal teenagers are. Mindy Kaling’s decision to hire young Indian-American writers adds authenticity to the show and the positive effects of hiring actual South Asian writers are evident in the show’s success.
2. Bridgerton Season 2
While Bridgerton was already popular in its first season, the Indian representation in Season 2 turned it into an even bigger sensation. Despite being set in Regency-era England, the Netflix original Bridgerton series presents racial and cultural inclusion without being colorblind. It revolves around the eponymous Bridgerton family during the social season where marriageable youth of nobility and gentry are launched into society.
Season 2 outlines the origins of the Sharma sisters from Bombay, Edwina and Kate Sharma, who speak the Indian languages of Marathi and Hindustani. From the Haldi ceremony to Brass accents and jewelry, a classical rendition of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, the mention of Indian medical practices and how the Western world has much to learn from them, etc, there are tons of social and cultural references which accurately represent Indians and their customs and traditions.
3. Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is an American comedy streaming television talk show hosted by Hasan Minhaj that premiered on October 28, 2018, on Netflix and ran until June 28, 2020. It also had all the episodes, exclusives, and deep cuts on its YouTube channel. The series was created by Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam, both of whom also executive produce alongside Jim Margolis, Michelle Caputo, Shannon Hartman, and Jennie Church-Cooper. With 40 episodes across six seasons, the show has won an Emmy, a Peabody Award, and two Webby Awards.
It aims to explore the modern cultural and political landscape of the world with depth and sincerity. And while not all of his content is not Indian in nature, he is important in representing the Indian diaspora and is recognized by Time Magazine, which included Hasan Minhaj on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world in April 2019.
4. A Little Late with Lilly Singh
A Little Late with Lilly Singh is an American late-night talk show that was broadcast by NBC. It premiered on September 16, 2019, and was hosted by comedian and internet celebrity Lilly Singh. Singh became the first openly bisexual person, as well as the first person of Indian and South Asian descent, to host an American broadcast major network late-night talk show. This was huge news in terms of Indian queer Representation at the time the show came out. Critics hailed Lilly Singh as an "engaged interviewer capable of steering the conversation where it needs to go”(Framke). With her incredible sense of humor and energy, she provides a refreshing relatable character to the Indian diaspora. With her incredible sense of humor and energy, she provides a refreshing relatable character to the Indian diaspora.
5. Grey Man
Eleven years after Tamil actor Dhanush first went viral in the South Asian community for his song Why this Kolaveri, he’s back this time on a global stage as part of the star-studded Netflix movie The Gray Man. Despite having a shorter screen time, Dhanush excelled in playing the role of an assassin Avik San who targets a CIA mercenary after the latter uncovers government secrets. , Co-director Joe Russo says Dhanush was cast because of “his speed and his elegance” and his “movement on the screen, especially in the action scenes, which is quite impressive to watch” (Ramnath). Dhanush also paid homage to his South Indian roots during the premiere, by opting for ethnic wear --a white half-sleeve shirt, a white veshti, and sandals. He also posed for the paparazzi with folded hands on the red carpet.
While the list goes on and on, these shows and movies are proof of a step in the right direction. Anthony Russo succinctly sums up the future of representation and inclusivity in his comment: “Joe and I like telling stories for a global audience. We think the world is continuing to move in that direction. We are experiencing narrative together as a shared experience globally, more so than we ever have. Having a diverse cast is part of how we connect with the world as a whole. We look for talent in every corner of the globe. It excites us to come to places we’re less familiar with and discover new creative energy there”(Ramnath).
WORKS CITED:-
Framke, Caroline. “TV Review: 'A Little Late with Lilly Singh'.” Variety, Variety, 20 Sept. 2019, https://variety.com/2019/tv/reviews/little-late-with-lilly-singh-review-1203343199/.
“Hasan Minhaj: The King's Jester.” Hasan Minhaj | The King's Jester, https://www.hasanminhaj.com/.
Mirhan Tariq.“'Never Have I Ever': Authentic Indian Representation Results in Show's Massive Success - Hollywood Insider.” Hollywood Insider - News Entertainment & Culture, 7 Sept. 2020, https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/never-have-i-ever-review-indian/.
Ramnath, Nandini. “Russo Brothers on 'the Gray Man': 'Having a Diverse Cast Is Part of How We Connect with the World'.” Scroll.in, Scroll.in, 21 July 2022, https://scroll.in/reel/1028705/russo-brothers-on-the-gray-man-having-a-diverse-cast-is-part-of-how-we-connect-with-the-world.
Spears, Jordyn. “Bridgerton: Every Element of Indian Culture Shown in Season 2.” MovieWeb, 4 Apr. 2022,https://movieweb.com/bridgerton-season-2-indian-culture/# haldi-ceremony.
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