When you have female producers, directors, and writers (Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Alankrita Shrivastava, Nitya Mehra) at the helm—not to take away anything from the show’s co-director Neeraj Ghaywan or other writers Anil Lakhwani, and Rahul Nair—you get what can safely be termed as India's most socially aware show.
The second season of Made In Heaven addresses everything from divorce, bigamy, extra-marital affairs, and the crazy landscape of casual relationships. While there is inherent risk with this kind of material coming off as preachy or trying too hard, Made in Heaven manages to hit that sweet spot of being an engaging drama while addressing issues like domestic violence, teen sex, racism, and unwed pregnancies.
The writing is sharp; long after you’ve finished watching the series, you realise how seamlessly the issues that plague our society and lives are presented in the stories—from class and caste prejudice to toxic wealth and work dynamics. MIH2 showcases messy characters in a way that separates it from the crowd: it's unusual, unsettling, and designed to make you uncomfortable. It sneaks in essential questions while you are deeply engrossed in admiring the perfect lehengas, the ornate jewellery, and contemplating pouring yourself a glass of pink champagne.
Apart from being socially aware, MIH2 is also an inclusive show that peers into queer relationships alongside the struggles of a transgender girl looking for love in the cruel world of dating apps, all the while seeking understanding from friends that don't know better. It's all too real.
There is even a Bollywood wedding in the mix, a destination one at that. In the season of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, here’s a series that showcases multiple prem kahanis minus the loud humour and costumes. It's raw, real, and relatable. It’s a world of high profile divorces, designer clothes, over the top parties, and mega mansions. But there’s also Jassi’s universe of a dingy house, bills to pay, and side hustles. It’s also a world of Tara’s middle class roots, footing the bills of her niece’s education and struggling to turn a profit at her company. Then there’s the dynamic of Nadeem, the mechanic in love with a girl who wants to trade up. You sigh and smile intermittently, as the lives of these broken but beautiful people unfold.
In a country obsessed with weddings, it’s fitting that every wedding in the series is lavish and alluring, a perfect backdrop for the drama of the brides, grooms, and their families. MIH2 is undoubtedly India’s best-looking show, something that was also true of Season 1. The actors are great across the board. It’s a lot of characters to keep track of, and yet each one manages to stay with you.
The one complaint I have about Made in Heaven 2 is that it took so long to come out (the first season released in 2020). With the amount of content being consumed by audiences today, it’s hard to remember the trials and compulsions of the characters—especially because there are so many. I wish it had released soon after the first season to make it a more compelling watch.
