Dalit Author Yashica Dutt Slams 'Made In Heaven 2' Creators For Using Her Work 'Without Permission Or Credit'

Dalit author and activist Yashica Dutt claims that her work is used by the makers of 'Made in Heaven 2' in Radhika Apte's episode.

New Delhi: 'Made in Heaven 2' premiered on Amazon Prime Video last week. Creators Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have received high accolades for including social themes in the show's plot. In episode 5 of the second season directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, we witness a Dalit woman who is determined to maintain her caste identity. Now, a Dalit author Yashica Dutt slammed the makers of the series for using her work without giving her credit.

The episode in 'Made in Heaven 2' showcases a lovely Dalit-Buddhist wedding and stars Radhika Apte as Pallavi Menke, a writer who is proud of her identity and advocates for her people. Despite her achievements, Menke has difficulties planning her Dalit-Buddhist wedding since her future in-laws have trouble accepting her Dalit status. Yashica Dutt, a writer and journalist, said on Monday that the producers stole her concept without giving her any credit for it.

Yashica Dutt provides a portrait of life for Dalits in modern-day India in her book ‘Coming Out as Dalit’. She praised Radhika Apte's performance but criticised the makers for using the episode on her life without her consent.

On Instagram, She expressed her thoughts in a long statement and captioned, “It’s been an overwhelming few days. Seeing my likeness on screen without warning or permission was a roller-coaster starting from thrill and excitement to sadness and loss. I continue to support @neeraj.ghaywan’s excellent work, whether now with Made in Heaven or Geeli Pucchi before. But this needs to be addressed."

The journalist-author called it a "cinematic triumph," although she stressed that "The [episode] is stunning in its portrayal of a Dalit woman and her Buddhist inter-caste wedding. It also unfortunately erases my contribution to my own ideas."

Many readers have commented showing their support for the author and sharing their disappointment that she did not get credit for her work. Neither the show's creators nor Amazon Prime Video, where it is available to watch, have addressed the controversy as of yet.