Made in Heaven Season 2's Dalit portrayal sparks controversy; here's why

livemint.com:

Made in Heaven 2, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has thrust the spotlight onto the delicate subject of casteism. In the episode, Radhika Apte portrays Pallavi Menke, a courageous Dalit author, unapologetically advocating for her community. Now, journalist and author Yashica Dutt, known for her insightful book "Coming Out as Dalit", has taken to Instagram to express her take on the episode.

While she commended the series for its portrayal of a Dalit-Buddhist wedding, she voiced her disapproval for what she saw as a lack of recognition for her contributions to the episode's central ideas. The episode, titled The Heart Skipped a Beat, portrays the empowerment journey of a Dalit woman during her inter-caste wedding. Dutt acclaimed the episode's brilliance in showcasing the resilience of Dalit women but called for due credit where it is deserved.

In her Instagram post, Dutt disclosed, "Seeing my likeness on screen without warning or permission was a roller-coaster starting from thrill and excitement to sadness and loss." Dutt's sentiments stem from her perception that certain elements of the episode mirrored her own experiences, yet her name remained absent. She expressed how disheartened she felt that her words and ideas were woven into the narrative without proper acknowledgment. Dutt, however, did not mince her words while praising the episode, calling it “no less than a cinematic triumph".