(Riya Singh, Intern Journalist): The six-part adaptation of Vikram Seth’s 1993 tome ‘A Suitable Boy’ from the BBC that began on Sunday night put off some because of its slow pace, but many applauded the effort that marks a landmark for the broadcaster: no white character in a historic India series. The lavishly crafted show, all filmed in India, is set in the 1950s.
It was offered a thumbs-up by several commentators of UK press media. Yet others took to social media only to express frustration with its speed, acting, and what seemed to be a lack of engagement with its substance.
The drama is directed by Mira Nair, starring Tabu, Ishan Khattar, and Tanya Maniktala. One Twitter user shared a screen-grab of one of the actors’ watch and wrote: “(That) watch doesn’t exactly look as if it belongs in 1951 does it”.
Writer William Dalrymple tweeted: “Very, very, very good opening episode…lots of brave decisions & pitch-perfect in a million ways. I watched it with a room of people, half of whom knew India well & half of whom did not. All loved it. Tabu especially magnetic. A hit!”
The film, revealed in 2017, tells the story of university student Lata (Maniktala), coming of age in 1951 in north India at the same time as the country carves out its own history as an independent nation and is about to head to the polls for its first general election. Torn between her family’s responsibility and the passion of romance, Lata embarks on a voyage of love, ambition, and heartache as three very separate suitors struggle with her side. Her election plays against India’s turbulent political backdrop in the 1950s.
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