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From Wedding Season to The Mindy Project: Hollywood films and shows that feature uplifting depictions of Indian culture
Indian culture is making its mark in Hollywood, with representation in films and shows like Never Have I Ever, Lion and Bend It Like Beckham.
Check out these Hollywood depictions of Indian community on screen
There has been a long-going debate about the accurate representation of particular communities in Hollywood, and one such community is the Indian American community, aka the desis. For the longest time, the Indian American community has suffered from either gross misrepresentation or lack of any, when it came to silver screen works. But it seems that American cinema is learning from its mistakes and going in the right direction with interesting stories based on the desi community. From Wedding Season to The Mindy Project, check out all the Hollywood movies and shows that have had accurate depictions of Indian culture and its people.
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Wedding Season
The 2022 Tom Dey-directed film is a coming-of-age social commentary on the stereotypical agendas of Indian culture and society, which is keen on people finding an ideal partner and living happily ever after. The film features Suraj Sharma and Pallavi Sharda in lead roles as two contrasting personalities who are on a journey of finding an ideal partner on the insistence of their parents. It is a story about them falling in love and breaking away from the stereotypical notions of society. The film is available on Netflix.
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Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a comedy-drama series with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan in the lead role. Created by Mindy Kaling, it features her trademark comic style and accurate depictions of Indian culture. The series follows the life of Devi, played by Maitreyi and her high-school life in the Western world while trying to stay true to her Indian roots. It is available on Netflix.
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The Mindy Project
The Mindy Project is a 2012 romantic comedy-drama created by Mindy Kaling that aired in 2012 and ran for six seasons till 2017. It features the life of Indian-origin American doctor, Mindy Lahiri and her romantic fantasies. It showcases her struggle with love, career and family but in a humorous way. It is available on Amazon prime Video.
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Bend It Like Beckham
The 2002 sports-comedy-drama, Bend It Like Beckham is directed by Gurinder Chadha. It features Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley in lead roles. It narrates the story of Jasminder, played by Parminder and her struggles with playing football which her family disapproves of. It is available on Disney+Hotstar.
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Lion
The 2016 biographical drama features Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and David Wenham in lead roles. The Garth Davis-directed film revolves around the real-life story of an Indian boy named Saroo Pawar who got separated from his family, ends up in an orphanage and ultimately gets adopted by an Australian couple. It's a story about Saroo searching for his roots back and reaching out to his past. It is available on Amazon Prime Video.
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Spin
Spin is a 2021 Disney Channel original film with Avantika Vandanapu, Meera Syal and Abhay Deol in lead roles. It is about a young Indian-American girl Rhea Kumar and the hurdles she overcomes in order to fulfill her dream of becoming a DJ while coming out from the shackles of her conservative family. It is available on Disney+Hotstar.