Dalit writer Yashica Dutt calls out Prime for no credit in Made in Heaven for Radhika Apte character
In Made in Heaven S02, Radhika Apte portrays a determined Dalit activist based on the life and experiences of author Yashica Dutt. Photo Yashica Dutt/Prime Video
Season 2 of the Amazon Prime series 'Made in Heaven' has garnered attention for its engaging storytelling. However, amidst the praises, a controversy has emerged involving author Yashica Dutt and the show's creators Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Neeraj Ghaywan.
Yashica, author of 'Coming Out as Dalit,' took to X (formerly Twitter) and accused the show's makers of using her life story and ideas without proper credit in episode 5 titled 'The Heart Skipped a Beat.'
Neeraj Ghaywan acknowledged on Instagram that the introduction of Radhika Apte's character was inspired by an interview Yashica had given, only after people started calling out the absence of Yashica's mention in the credits of the show.
Yashica's accusations
- In the particular episode, directed by Masan fame, Neeraj Ghaywan, actress Radhika Apte portrays the character Pallavi Menke, based on Yashica's life where Pallavi, an accomplished Dalit writer, navigates the complexities of revealing her identity in a caste-conscious society.
- Yashica expressed her dissatisfaction, pointing to the importance of recognising her contributions, highlighting that the historical pattern of appropriating Dalit contributions without proper credit needed to change.
The past few days have been overwhelming. I continue to support @ghaywan’s excellent work, now with Made in Heaven and earlier with Geeli Pucchi on Netflix. But this needs to be said. pic.twitter.com/tU1xro3QzC
— Yashica Dutt (@YashicaDutt) August 14, 2023
- Like Yashica, Pallavi is depicted as a Dalit writer who has penned a book titled 'Denied' and frequently mentions the phrase "coming out," a term popularised by Yashica's book. However, Yashica's name is notably absent from the credits.
- She added, "seeing my likeness on screen without warning or permission was a roller-coaster starting from thrill and excitement to sadness and loss."
- She pointed out that despite her pivotal role in shaping the ideas presented in the episode, the creators failed to acknowledge her contribution adequately.
- While she acknowledged Neeraj Ghaywan's impactful work in depicting Dalit experiences in the mainstream, she underscored the necessity of advocating for herself in this context. Yashica emphasised that her ideas had been incorporated into the episode without her permission or proper credit.
Demand for acknowledgement
- Yashica's plea to the show's creators was straightforward. She requested Neeraj Ghaywan, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti to formally recognise her life's work and the ideas she contributed to the episode beyond social media posts or show credits.
- Yashica intended to ensure that the millions of viewers understood that the central ideas presented in the episode were not conceived out of thin air, but were rooted in the struggles and contributions of a Dalit woman.
Leaving this here pic.twitter.com/1YpHE7ju2b
— Yashica Dutt (@YashicaDutt) August 14, 2023
- She also added, "Dalit women, in particular, are the easiest to take from what’s the worth in the labor they’ve created anyway. It’s for everybody to claim. Except this time. I’m reclaiming my work, my worth and my contribution to the discourse and history, defying the order of what’s expected of me as a woman who is always supposed to fine-tune the ‘register of her rage’.
Yashica Dutt's call for acknowledgement highlights the need for a more inclusive and respectful approach to storytelling that properly credits the individuals whose experiences and ideas shape the narratives we consume.