PremiumMade in Heaven recap: From lavish weddings to personal struggles, a rewind of the Sobhita Dhulipala-Arjun Mathur-starring series
The bold and transformative series created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti unveils personal struggles, societal challenges, and love.
Last Updated: 10.51 AM, Aug 08, 2023
It's been four years and five months, and Prime Video is bringing back one of the most beloved series, Made in Heaven Season 2. The wait has been long beyond expectations, and this has led fans of the series to rewatch the first season multiple times. Tara (Sobhita Dhulipala) and Karan (Arjun Mathur), two wedding planners in Delhi, are the subjects of the Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti-created series. Their stories intertwine throughout Made in Heaven. India is a dynamic fusion of ancient and modern, as depicted in the show. Against the backdrop of enormous, fat Indian weddings, tradition and modern aspirations collide, revealing many secrets and many lies. Arranged weddings, dowry transactions, and virginity tests all threaten to tear away the liberal veneer of the upper class as the couple negotiates them.
A lot of things unfold in the first season. We not only see talented actors guest star as the brides, grooms, and their families but also get neck-deep into each of the leading characters. Apart from Tara and Karan, we are introduced to the intriguing supporting cast, including Kalki Koechlin as Faiza Naqvi, who becomes Tara's best friend but also runs over her by having an affair with her husband, Adil Khanna, played by Jim Sarbh. The series also stars Shashank Arora as Kabir Basrai, the man behind the lens who captures all the emotions and also gives a voiceover about how matches are made in heaven but tough to follow in this world. Soon after, we meet Shivani Raghuvanshi as Jaspreet Kaur, aka Jazz, the newbie joining the world of Made in Heaven with her own set of agendas and desires.
While the weddings in Made in Heaven are spectacular, the series also digs deeply into the characters' lives, revealing their innermost wishes and conflicts. While helping their clients have picture-perfect weddings, Tara and Karan struggle with their own fears and the ghosts of their pasts.
2019 was still the year where OTT was just booming a year before the pandemic hit. Thus, watching a show addressing controversial topics including dowry systems, LGBTQ rights, infidelity, and more definitely would have taken one aback. The series addresses these issues squarely, illuminating the intricacies of society's standards and their effects on individual lives.
We see Tara Khanna (Sobhita) as an entrepreneur and not just a trophy wife to Adil Khanna. However, as the series proceeds, we see the way she made it into his life, and the path just gets darker and darker. Tara makes sure to break his engagement by secretly leaking a sex tape of her with Adil. Then, after getting married, she realises that although she has become a part of this elite world, her past is always brought into the picture. Not just that, her plans are on the verge of flopping as she soon discovers Adil having an affair with Faiza, her best friend. Towards the end of the first season, we see Tara confronting Adil and also admitting that she also cheated to get married to him, thus taking away all the jewellery she got during her wedding and walking out of the marriage.
Her partner in this business, Made in Heaven, is Karan Mehra (Arjun), who is a homosexual, soft-hearted man but irresponsible when it comes to handling financial situations. He takes loans from people but just can't repay them, which lands him in trouble every now and then. Not just that, to repay the money, he takes funds from the company's account, which also puts Tara in a spot. On the other hand, he is a commitment-phobic man and has multiple relationships. The reason behind it is revealed: he only loved his boyfriend from his teens, Nawab (Vikrant Massey). But they get separated after an incident in school and also when Karan's mother catches them. Karan's track is heartbreaking and empowering as we see him getting arrested for being "gay" and then also fighting back by filing a PIL.
We see stereotypes crumble bit by bit as the show goes on. The characters defy gender norms and societal expectations to pursue their goals and be true to who they are.
Moreover, in all their glitz and glamour, Indian weddings are depicted in this series, making for a visual feast. The care taken in creating each image enhances the narrative and transports the audience into the fictional universe.
At the end of season one of Made in Heaven, closure is achieved and fresh beginnings are made for the characters as the story comes to an end. Viewers feel accomplished and hopeful after witnessing this journey of self-discovery, progress, and acceptance.
The second season premieres on August 10, 2023, on Prime Video.