Yashica Dutt-Pallavi Menke Controversy: 10 Things To Know

Controversy arose around the second season of Made In Heaven when Yashica Dutt, the author of Coming Out As Dalit, raised allegations against the show's creators. Dutt asserted that the episode titled The Heart Skips A Beat, which showcased Radhika Apte's character, drew inspiration from her own life story but lacked proper acknowledgement. In response, director Neeraj Ghaywan has firmly rejected these assertions.

The depiction of the Buddhist wedding showcased in Neeraj's episode finale within the show received praise when it was released. The narrative centred around Pallavi Menke, an Ivy League attorney and writer engaged in inter-caste marriage. Pallavi, known for her vocal stance on her caste identity, advocates for equal treatment and suggests a Dalit-Buddhist wedding for her forthcoming marriage. Crafted under the creative direction of Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the second season of Made in Heaven was launched on Prime Video India.

10 Things You Need To Know About Yashica Dutt-Pallavi Menke Controversy

• Yashica Dutt in her statement described a particular scene involving a Dalit author who hails from Columbia, authored a book about Coming Out, and recounted her grandmother's role in cleaning toilets—a tribute to Ambedkar. This character, asserting her identity with her future partner, resonated deeply with Yashica, evoking a sense of surreal familiarity.
  
• However, her elation soon turned into disappointment. Dutt noted that although the scene contained her ideas and words, her name was conspicuously absent. The potential celebration of shared ideas became overshadowed by a sense of sorrow. She expressed how the very ideas she had nurtured, which continue to elicit strong reactions, were utilised without permission or acknowledgement.

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

•  The director, Neeraj Ghaywan, along with the team, has responded to recent claims made by author Yashica Dutt against the second season of Made In Heaven.

Statement from the Director and Team in Response to Claims

• While Dutt alleged that the episode was based on her life and work, the director and team have firmly denied these allegations. They expressed deep concern over the 'misleading' reports and comments surrounding the issue. The show revolves around wedding planners and exceptional brides challenging societal prejudices, emphasising that the narrative in question is fictional and unrelated to Dutt's life or work.

Character Clarification and Acknowledgment of Inspirations:

• The team clarified that this character was not drawn from Yashica Dutt's life or her book, Coming Out As Dalit. The narrative involving Pallavi Menke's grandmother's backstory was included as it was a common historical aspect that emerged repeatedly during the team's research of the community.
  
• Furthermore, Pallavi Menke's fictional book, titled Denied, pays homage to various influential works such as Ants Among Elephants by Sujatha Gidla, Caste Matters by Suraj Yengde, Coming Out As Dalit by Yashica Dutt, and the Tarshi article by Sumit Baudh. The team expressed utmost respect for these authors and their impactful contributions in shedding light on caste-based discrimination.

Commitment to Meaningful Discourse and Platforming Voices:

The team emphasised their sincere efforts and passionate approach to creating the show. They reiterated their commitment to platforming stories and voices that transcend their own perspectives, acknowledging that such narratives are greater than any individual's contribution.

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Suggested Reading: Made in Heaven 2 Makers Respond To Yashica Dutt's Plagiarism Claims