Review : A Suitable Boy

Netflix has showcased the web series based on Vikram Seth’s iconic novel “ A Suitable Boy “ . I had read about the book a lot , though I am yet to read the novel. I have read another book titled “ Two Lives “ by Vikram Seth .Its a love story about his Uncle & Aunt against the background of the Jewish massacre by Nazi Germany,World WaII ,et al. I  loved the book & was therefore, looking forward to watching this web series on Netflix.


“A Suitable Boy “ is one of the longest novels in English & was priced at a whopping Rs 500 when it debuted in 1993 ! The novel consists of 19 parts .The title of each of the 19 parts is described by a rhyming couplet.Vikram Seth has penned notable poems as well.


The web series “ A Suitable Boy “ is directed by the Indian American filmmaker Mira Nair who has many films to her credit on the international cinematic arena .Some of her acclaimed films are Salaam Bombay, Mississippi Masala, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, et al. It is produced by BBC & is one of the most expensive ones at a budget of 16 million pounds ! And it is the first BBC production to have almost the entire cast of coloured people .


The series opens with the wedding of Lata's sister to a Professor who is the elder son of the Revenue Minister. Lata’s mother starts harping that she has to start looking for “ a suitable boy “ for Lata now that the older sister is married. Lata’s mom never tires of reminding Lata that her daughter must marry the boy ,she chooses for her because mother of course knows best. Her mother seems very controlling right off the bat, and wants to take charge of Lata’s life. We see these parallels run often in Indian homes even today, echoing how history tends to repeat itself. Lata’s mother definitely has a liking for the dramatics and will apply it to any window she might see.


Lata is torn among three men ,who are besotted with her. One of them, is her college mate. Another is a poet modeled perhaps on Vikram Seth , who himself is an acclaimed poet & author & the third one, is a shoemaker .Incidentally, Vikram Seth’s father was a shoemaker & worked at Bata . I learnt about Vikram Seth’s family from a reading of an autobiography by late Leila Seth, mother of Vikram Seth.Leila Seth was a woman in her own right. She was the first woman Chief Justice of a High Court & also the first woman judge in the Supreme Court.



Lata is too independent, to simply toe the line that her mother wants her to take .Lata refuses to obey her brother’s choice of a befitting suitor Yet, Lata is unsure ,if the one she likes is going to turn out to be the one worthy of her .


The search for the ideal bridegroom for Lata goes on ,against the background of the general elections being held in India, in its dusty villages & towns. A country, where the zamindars are up against the abolition of zamindari . India, where people may befriend others from different communities & yet, this can rarely translate into marriages. A country ,where society will look down upon relationships with a prostitute & yet ,men pine for her company in secret. A nation where one’s faith makes them question the beliefs of others to supposedly strengthen their own creeds . And these scenes make one wonder whether India has changed at all now or remains as it was in those days ?

A politician, who is fed up of corruption & hesitant to ask for favours when his son is in jail tells us that such people existed & some continue to hold on to such exemplary ideals even today. A son, who is deviating from a path which brings disgrace to his family & yet ,he may be the one who perhaps inherits his father’s legacy. These short & eventful narratives are woven into the main plot & make it more engrossing.


The ladies who are part of the series are bold & independent. The women enjoy their wine & sherry & a fling or two. And they seem to be ,on an equal footing with men. And finally, Lata manages to choose her life partner. And who is her groom ? The series is only six parts long The dialogues are slow .Perhaps, keeping with those times, where life moved to an unhurried pace.


The set design is truly magical. The costumes, the décor, and the whole vibe is accurately representative of India in the 50’s. With all of that vintage touch, the director aims for all the nostalgia & one can feel it.


Some of the actors have a Bollywood background,& others are from the television industry . Some of the acting can definitely be improved upon.Yet ,as a unit ,they managed to create an engaging narrative . There are many characters & each character has a wonderful presence .The actors who play them are nuanced .This makes it a simple & engaging tale.


And though viewers may be wanting more, they may have to wait for Vikram Seth’s “ A Suitable Girl “ to be published .Mira Nair may, direct season two of the web series in the future.