The Amazon Prime Series Made in Heaven, is garnering rave reviews from critics and viewers a like. An Excel Entertainment production, aka Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, the special series created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti features power-packed performances by Arjun Mathur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Shashank Arora and Shivani Raghuvanshi. Adding to the mix are respected character actors Yashaswini Dayama, Ayesha Raza, and veterans Vinay Pathak, Neena Gupta and Deepti Naval.
Made In Heaven takes a closer look into the lives of the elite. It narrates the journey of two wedding planners Tara and Karan whose efforts at delivering the perfect wedding for crazy rich Indians, leads them on a journey of self-discovery. The show portrays today’s India as a potent blend where tradition jostles with modern aspiration, set against the theme of the ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’. Indians believe marriages are made in heaven and it is against these sacred unions that Tara and Karan’s personal journeys are juxtaposed. With world-class production values and a magnificent scale, the show provides the viewer with a grand cinematic experience of intricacies and the drama around upscale Indian weddings.
Made in Heaven examines the value system of the moneyed, urban, supposedly liberal India. Each episode explores a social issue, which while mostly swept under the carpet in public, still looms in the shadows, in today’s progressive society. Each episode is entertaining yet thought-provoking! The story unfolds over the course of an ongoing wedding season and brings to the fore some hard-hitting issues such as power struggle, LGBT themes, class-divide, self-worth, questioning existing stereotypes, working women, and a culture in transition.
Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti said, “Creating Made in Heaven has been a labour of love. Our objective with this project was to tell a story that was inherently entertaining but strong and deeply rooted in our society. Grand Indian weddings acted as just the right backdrop to examine the liberal fabric of educated, modern Indians and their dichotomous value systems that co-exist peacefully at times and at others come into conflict. The 9-episode series is the culmination of the creative vision of four directors – Nitya Mehra, Prashant Nair, Alankrita Srivastava and me (Zoya Akhtar), brought to life by Amazon Prime Video, who have been fabulous collaborators to work with.”
Now let’s take a look at the cast of characters!
Arjun Mathur
The actor has been part of films since 2004 notably a brilliant turn in Luck By Chance, I Am, The Accidental Prime Minister to name a few. In Made in Heaven he plays the lead role of Karan a gay man living in a country at a time where homosexuality was illegal. He, ironically, makes his living by planning the perfect weddings for his clients, even though he isn’t legally allowed that privilege. He has received rave reviews for his performance.
Sobhita Dhulipala
A relative newcomer to the scene, she made her debut in Raman Raghav 2.0 and then went on to star opposite Saif Ali Khan in the official remake of Chef. In her role as Tara she is brilliant. An ambitious women who is passionate about her wedding planning agency “Made In Heaven”, Tara strives for perfection and security in a marriage that is less than ideal.
Not only are the leads incredible and elevate the show, the series boasts stellar performances by this star-studded ensemble cast. We list out some note-worthy actors in the series, who’s on-screen presence and dynamism has added a broader dimension to the narrative.
Kalki Koechlin
She surely needs no introduction. Ever since her debut in Hindi cinema in 2008, the gorgeous actress has been bagging accolades. Advancing into the digital sphere, the actress’ portrayal of ‘Faiza’, will add another golden feather to her innumerable achievements so far.
Shashank Arora
This critically acclaimed actor has films like Titli, Lipstik Under My Burkha and Rock On 2, to his credits. His character ‘Kabir’, are the eyes and ears that capture the uncaptured in all the big weddings that planning agency ‘Made in Heaven’ makes. His character adds an added dimension to the show as he sums-up the many dichotomies that surface even in the most modern and educated of Indian weddings.
Shivani Raghuvanshi
Jaspreet Kaur aka ‘Jazz’ is one bubbly reason to watch the series. After winning several hearts with her performance in Titli this young-lady is all set for her digital debut with Made in Heaven.
The series is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and we say it is not to be missed.
Check out the trailer and some amazing stills!
