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Following the roaring success of Made In Heaven Season 1, the highly anticipated second season of the web series hit screens earlier this year. As accolades poured in for the hardworking team, which included creative forces like Zoya Akhtar, Nitya Mehra, Neeraj Ghaywan, Alankrita Shrivastava, and Reema Kagti, an unexpected controversy shook the celebratory air. Indian author Yashica Dutt emerged, calling out the makers for what she perceived as a glaring issue.
Dutt's claim centered around the fifth episode of Made In Heaven 2, titled The Heart Skipped a Beat, starring the talented Radhika Apte. Yashica alleged that the episode's storyline was a mirror to her own life experiences. The Columbia University graduate went further, asserting that the makers not only failed to seek her permission for adapting her life into their narrative but also neglected to give her the due credit she deserved. Nevertheless, the makers were quick to deny Yashica's accusations.
Recently, Anurag Kashyap, in a conversation with Bollywood Hungama, was prompted to share his thoughts on the simmering controversy. Asked to weigh in on the motives behind Yashica's outcry, the filmmaker questioned the magnitude of the issue, deeming it worthy of a vigorous debate. He challenged the sincerity of her intentions, suggesting that her focus appeared to be on seeking validation rather than addressing the matter at hand. In Kashyap's view, Yashica's approach, which included directing her criticism at individuals who had previously been supportive, hinted at opportunism more than a genuine concern for the alleged wrong.
Labelling her actions as those of an opportunist, Kashyap asserted, "For me, it looks like an opportunist. Nothing more than that."
In response to Yashica's allegations, Zoya Akhtar, one of the core members of the creative team, took the initiative to counter the claims. Akhtar stated unequivocally that the character of Pallavi Menke, portrayed by Radhika Apte, bore no resemblance to Yashica Dutt's life. Radhika Apte herself echoed this sentiment, reminding everyone that the focus should remain on the show's underlying themes and the issues it aims to shed light on.
Made in Heaven, an anthology series created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti for Prime Video, revolves around wedding planners played by Karan Mehra and Sobhita Dhulipala. Set against the backdrop of opulent Indian weddings, the series offers a platform for diverse stories to unfold. Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, Nitya Mehra, Neeraj Ghaywan, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti, the show continues to provoke conversations about contemporary social issues.
