Ever since I was a young girl, I didn’t see many people on television that looked like me. You see, I’m an Australian-born-Pakistani, and the only time a brown person was represented on screen was when filmmakers needed to fill the token geek role. South Asians have been made to be a caricature for the longest time, from Apu on The Simpsons to Raj on The Big Bang Theory. South Asians have so much more to offer, but it seems Hollywood was never interested in our rich culture unless it was to present an offensive trope.
Thankfully, there has been progress over the last few years. Don’t get me wrong, the industry still has a long way to go, but now, POC aren’t being cast as a background character. Instead, they’re given the lead. From Riz Ahmed being nominated for an Academy Award to Simone Ashley starring in the upcoming season of Bridgerton, it’s nice to see a step in the right direction.
Some don’t fully understand the effect representation has on young men and women, but when you’ve been overlooked your entire life, it’s life-changing. Which is why I thought it would be a good idea to celebrate shows that feature South Asians in a prominent role, or at least one that doesn’t reduce them to a punchline.
Netflix
Never Have I Ever
Of course this one was coming. Netflix’s teen drama starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi proved to be a huge success, and why wouldn’t it? As a viewer, it was painful at times to watch Devi jeopardise herself, but it reminded us of the struggles South Asian teenagers faced as they grew up in a western country. Her experiences were relatable, and we wouldn’t expect anything less from a show written by the one and only Mindy Kaling.
Netflix
Patriot Act
Hasan Minhaj is a king. There, I said it. Anything this man does turns into gold, and despite the show being cancelled by Netflix (still not over that btw), Patriot Act found the perfect balance of informing its audience while adding a ton of humour. Frequently talking about his Indian-Muslim upbringing, Hasan spoke to the masses, and the show was a huge success before it got canned. Oh, and if you enjoy watching Hasan, then make sure you tune in to Homecoming King on Netflix.
Hulu
The Mindy Project
Mindy Kaling is a household name at this point. If she’s not writing phenomenal dramas then she’s usually starring in them. The Mindy Project ended a few years ago, but the show, which ran for six seasons, made us laugh out loud more times than we can count. Mindy, who played an obstetrician and gynaecologist, navigated the New York dating scene in the hopes to get her romantic life on track.
Disney
Spin
The most recent win for brown girls is Spin, which came out on Disney+ last month. Starring Avantika Vandanapu as Rhea Kumar, Spin is Disney’s first original TV film with an Indian-American lead. Here’s to hoping she inspires young girls as much as Hannah Montana and Raven-Symoné did during their time. The show is based around Rhea, who while dealing with the loss of her mother, wants to pursue a career that most Indian kids stay away from. She wants to become a DJ, and as she follows her passion, viewers are taken along for the ride.
Netflix
The Good Place
You cannot compile a list of top shows with South Asian representation without featuring The Good Place. Everyone’s favourite Jameela Jamil stars on the sitcom as Tahani Al-Jamil. Can you believe that was her first acting job? Before the show, Jameela was a television and radio host, and now, she’s known for her activism.
Netflix
Squid Game
This show is all the rage right now, and for good reason. After finishing it in two days, I genuinely wondered if any other show could top it. Not only is the storyline unique and gripping till the very end, but the series features a Pakistani character, Ali Abdul, played by Indian actor Anupam Tripathi. No spoilers here, but let’s just say Ali was the purest person on the show, and if you haven’t watched Squid Game, then what are you waiting for?
