Zoya Akhtar and ReemaKagti’s highly anticipated show, ‘Made in Heaven’ season 2, finally graced the OTT platform after a prolonged two-year wait. While the series garnered considerable acclaim, it was not without its share of controversies that have added a layer of complexity to its reception.
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A critical perspective emerges from voices within the Bahujan community and artists who have long grappled with the issues of appropriation and misrepresentation. The show came under fire when a Dalit author vociferously criticized its use of her real-life narrative as the basis for Radhika Apte’s episode. This incident raises questions about the ethical implications of drawing inspiration from marginalized lives for entertainment purposes, without genuinely engaging with their stories.
However, the controversy did not end there. TarunTahiliani, a prominent Indian designer, raised his voice against what he perceived as a misuse of his creations by the show’s makers. Venting his frustration on Instagram, he decried, “It is deeply disheartening to witness a widely acclaimed OTT series disregarding the essence of clothing. The case in point is the second episode of ‘Made in Heaven’, wherein our garments from the TarunTahiliani studio were employed by the stylist. Shockingly, a fictional designer (actor) assumed the role of representing an entirely imaginary label, donning our genuine creations. This amounts to a shocking betrayal of trust. If the production house intended this outcome, they should have collaborated with a costume designer, meticulously designing outfits, and proceeding in a manner that respects the original intent.” In this episode, Mrunal Thakur portrayed the role of the bride, caught in the midst of this controversy.
Tahiliani’s lament extends beyond his personal experience. He issues a plea that such disregard for the true essence of artistic collaborations should not become a recurring pattern for other designers who have generously lent their work to OTT projects. Moreover, he underscores the urgency of rejecting such practices as permissible in the future. Notably, Bhawna Sharma, the stylist responsible for curating the cast’s appearance in ‘Made in Heaven 2’, has refrained from offering a response to the ongoing controversy, leaving the artistic and ethical quandaries raised by these critical perspectives unresolved.
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