Every so often, a show comes along and provides so much unexpected entertainment, you look back and ponder why its debut didn’t come earlier!
We’ve all grown accustomed to the Netflix dating shows (for example, Love is Blind) which basically sticks around for a few weeks and inspires so many internet memes you’re eventually so sick of it that you hastily scroll past in on your Netflix account in order to avoid seeing the trailer.Â
This week, a new Netflix dating show has inspired so many discussions and memes, we’ve completely forgotten about the topic of coversation from the week before!
Indian Matchmaking follows a Mumbai-based ‘matchmaker’ Sima Taparia as she helps Indian and Indian Americans find a suitable partner for marriage. While some would say it’s the perfect kind of trash to binge when you have nothing to do, others might say it’s rooted in a systemic structures of oppression. Either way, it’s got people talking and meme-ing endlessly.
PROOF:
Am I the only one who realizes Pradhyumans is gay??#IndianMatchmaking
— Sarah Masters (@SarahMathers34) July 16, 2020
I’m on episode three of #IndianMatchmaking and here are my thoughts:
1.) Aparna is so damm annoying and will never find love.
2.) Nadia is an absolute sweetheart and she deserves the best guy ever.
3.) Pradhyumans is in the closet.— Sneha Daniel (@snehaliz) July 17, 2020
So we not gonna address the constant and blatant colourism in #IndianMatchmaking? Okay, cool. Carry on.
— Bianca Sidhu (@bsidhu) July 16, 2020
The next time anyone asks me why I’m still single.
#IndianMatchmaking pic.twitter.com/9LnJlV8Kbg— uSandile (@SimplySandile) July 19, 2020
I get why Aparna is single, but the fact that Nadia is as well shows us that movies lie #IndianMatchmaking pic.twitter.com/iFigxvETeu
— Koupe Tet, Boule Kay (@faithfullymari) July 18, 2020
While the first season of Indian Matchmaking currently holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the success of course hasn’t come without the intense backlash which the show has garnered in India.
In an age when people believed to be largely pushing away the stereotypes, breaking free from the regressive patriarchal mind-set of society, this show throws light on the ugly truth of Indian matchmaking.
Like it or not, the show accurately points to the realities of any Indian family that dives deep into caste, colour, height and an ‘adjusting’ girl while seeking a match for their son.
No matter how much the show makes one twitch, the truth is that a large population of Indians still opt for an arranged marriage. Despite Twitter rants on the show, calling it out for promoting colourism, cast and beauty standards, Indian Matchmaking elucidates the reality of Indian household loud and clear on the screen.
And it shows that a sure change in society as regards choosing a match today is that parents don’t force their choices on their children anymore.
Producers have hinted at the possibility of a second season, however this is yet to be confirmed.
Have you watched Indian Matchmaking yet? Let us know in the comments!