Bridgerton Season 2: Representation matters, but at what cost?

Shefali Saxena Wednesday 13th April 2022 02:12 EDT
 
 

Shonda Rhimes’ Bridgerton Season 2 has dropped on Netflix and it’s more than just about the diamond of the season, waltz and mazurka and certainly more nuanced in writing than season 1. 

 

However, while South Asians feel seen and represented in characters like Edwina and Kathani Sharma who have Indian roots, Bridgerton Season 2 seems to have meddled with linguistics while intending to get it right. 

 

South Asians have critiqued the narrative and representation and in some cases, quite rightly so. 

 

Mandira Sarkar said, “I’m very confused with Bengali ‘bons’ and southern Indian Appas. A Sharma surname from Mumbai royalty is a complete hotchpotch!”

 

Prof Sunny Singh, Co-founder of Jhalak Prize wrote a Twitter thread saying, “The race free utopia of this Bridgerton season is being constantly disrupted. The choice of corgi for in a narrative about mixed heritage people/inter-racial couples is…well, inimical to my suspension of disbelief.”

 

“So Bridgerton S2 casts two South Asian women in major roles, gives their characters the last name Sharma, they supposedly speak Marathi and Hindustani but they call their father ‘appa,’ and the older sis calls the younger one ‘bon.’ Confused much?” Prof Singh reacted.

 

‘Nazi romances’ however, continue to a disgusting (and yes antisemitic) part of contemporary romance genre although I have not encountered one any that places victims into position of perpetrators with Bridgerton’s insouciance,” she added in one of her tweets. 

 

“Also bon which is “bone” and Bengali for sister pronounced incorrectly as bon as in bonbon,” Mallika Basu added. 

 

Entrepreneur and BBC Presenter Sonya Barlow told us, “As someone who is called didi, I loved the fact that they referenced that. Generally, yes more research could have gone on though that clearly showcases why we need the representatives in the decision making. However, another thing to note is that SA culture is so vast, so not everything will be 100% accurate but as a 20-year-old South Asian woman, I'm excited the conversation is starting and we are coming into mainstream media. Gives me hope as a radio presenter and TV and media personality.”

 

E.L. Johnson, a historical mystery author, told Asian Voice, “Shondaland’s Bridgerton has been a pioneer in progress, in the sense that people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds are taking centre stage. Featuring actors from an Asian background in starring roles is a step in the right direction, and with any luck, we’ll be seeing more of this in the days to come.

 

“As viewers, we are there to be entertained and swept away by the costumes, the scandals and the lush romances of the ton in Julia Quinn’s portrayal of Regency England. Whilst some fans might question whether the depictions and cultural references are entirely historically accurate, it’s worth remembering that this is a period drama and is fiction at its best.

 

“What is great about this show is not the just the incredible romantic tension between Viscount Bridgerton and Miss Sharma, but the slight references to history, especially when it comes to the commercial relationship between the UK and India in the 19th century. The British East India Company was trading with India since the 1600s, so when Miss Sharma declares in the second episode how much she dislikes British tea, it may well be a subtle nod to the historical trade between those nations.”

 

The show uses Karan Johar’s blockbuster Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’s title track during the ‘haldi’ ceremony of Edwina, while also using the custom of applying turmeric to unmarried girls as a sign of good luck for their future nuptials.

 

The show interestingly (this season) reminds viewers of the movie Mujhse Dosti Karoge at many instances, where the storyline coincides with what happens between Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor who fall in love with the same man, Hrithik Roshan. The exchanging of bangles, tiffs and picking up of romantic vibes between Kathani and Anthony, and Edwina eventually accepting their relationship, is a deja vu experience for Bollywood fans. 

 

Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas also tagged the lead actors and creator of ‘Bridgerton’ on Instagram and wrote, “I have to say..it's so wonderful to see desi representation on mainstream TV. It was such an anomaly when I started. Love the show and the Sharma sisters.” 

 

While audiences may stand divided in opinion over the show this season, representation matters, yes. But, not at the cost of fiddling with facts and linguistics. 

 

If you would like to share your opinion on the South Asian representation of women in Bridgerton S2, do write to us at [email protected] by Monday 12 pm BST. 


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