'Mismatched' (2020) Review - What Makes The Netflix Series A Hit Among The Youth

Picture credit: Netflix

Series Name: Mismatched (S1&S2)
Director's Name: Akarsh Khurana Nipun Dharmadhikari
Genre: Romantic, Comedy
Language: Hindi

Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadhikari's romance drama web series Mismatched is based on Sandhya Menon's When Dimple Met Rishi and was written by Gazal Dhaliwal. Mismatched Season 1 consists of 6 episodes with an average length of about 30 minutes. The show stars Prajakta Koli, Rohit Saraf, Rannvijay Singha, and Vidya Malavade.

I had a variety of emotions while listening to Mismatched, the most of them were unpleasant. Although I won't delve too deeply into the review aspect of things in this article, the series has the impression of examining the life of bullies and attempting to win our sympathy.

While the plot is a watered-down version of various socially significant topics that only focuses on the romance between Dimple and Rishi, that too, in an irksome way, it is undoubtedly cute in some places, especially the pairing of leads Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf.

Tale Of Mismatched Season 1

Picture credit: vakao

Dimple is an intelligent and reclusive coder who genuinely wants to succeed in her field, while Rishi is from a whole other world. In the meantime, Rishi is searching for "the one" for himself, considering himself to be an ancient soul who belongs in the world of traditional romance. However, things don't go well for them when they first meet.

Rishi and Dimple gradually begin to adjust to their new lives as college begins and they get to know one another and their surroundings. They also start to identify the things that motivate them to work towards their objectives and one another.

Dimple, a fellow student of Anmol's, is still up against him in the coding competition known as The League of Legends Championship, which is being conducted in their institution. She opens up to Rishi as their relationship deepens, sharing her secrets, goals, and dreams with him. Eventually, she even asks him out on a date and reveals to him her app concept.

She's unfortunate because her secret code leaks, shattering her dream. Rishi is the only one who is aware of the code, hence she claims he is trying to ruin her. However, when Dimple learns the truth about Rishi's best friend Namrata's sexual orientation, there is a terrible argument that ends with Dimple kissing Harsh, another classmate. Rishi also confides in Dimple about his best friend Namrata's secret sexual orientation.

Meanwhile, Dimple's flatmate Celina stops her connection with Rishi, leaving Namrata sad about the social exclusion and now being dumped by her infatuation. After the devastating deceit and misunderstanding, Rishi also decides to quit college.

The sole source of light in these very dismal times, however, continues to be Zeenath and Siddharth's relationship, which appears to be heading someplace even though the young people ultimately fight tooth and nail.

Tale Of Mismatched Season 2

Picture Credit: SheThePeople 

The second season of Mismatched strives to cover every subject, with difficult emotions and problems at the forefront. It nonetheless makes a greater effort than the last attempt to comprehend the difficulties associated with growing up in a fast-paced and always-connected environment, even though not all of them are understood that well and some truly intriguing characters don't receive as much screen time as you'd want.

There is something in the mix for everyone, whether it is Dimple's intense desire to achieve in her professional life, which puts a lot of strain on herself, or Anmol dealing with some really serious trauma. Again, despite receiving a second season, the show doesn't really develop all of its major characters all that much; some are even abruptly dropped.

Picture credit: IMDB

However, keeping in mind how I felt about the first season, I must say that season 2 is cute and fluffy in addition to being emotionally engaging and highly impressionable. Although I wasn't a fan of Rishi's fling, the leads, Saraf and Koli, are adorable as a button together, and Harsh is a sight to behold. Even though he's just a minor supporting player in the Rishi-Dimple love tale, his portrayal of the character has an impact because it's so real.

Even though Saraf and Koli are constantly arguing with one another, you can still sense the chemistry between them. Their more endearing exchanges are delightful to see, and as I've already noted, Harsh's persona nicely complements Dimple. Additionally, they have a sweet chemistry that, thankfully, outweighs the frustration of their frequent brattish behavior.

But I thought Saraf's character never really had a clear path to follow. Rishi is only another character in the narrative, which seems like Dimple's tale and existence. He has his own problems, of course, but these are not well addressed, so we regrettably miss out on his life and his character. It's never pleasant to observe a pivotal character solely as an outgrowth of another.

Anmol, Simran, Celina, Namrata, and Krish all have their own storylines that do not actually interfere with the main plot, so let's speak about the other characters. Since Anmol's arc is the steepest and we don't get to see a lot of the journey, it will probably make everyone a little emotional. Unfortunately, more conversation between Celina and Namrata was actually required, but whatever.

Picture credit: Times of India

But does Mismatch season 2 address some of the social problems it introduces? Both, actually. The series, as usual, introduces various important story elements that neatly resolve quickly. I believe that the series might have benefited from placing a little bit more emphasis on the others rather than on the trivial arguments between Rishi and Dimple.

Finally, Mismatched Season 2 ends on yet another minor cliffhanger, which I find so odd that it even makes sense. Whatever happens, Rishi and Dimple are poisonous in the long run. Why therefore the needless dramatic conclusion? Perhaps it works oddly because, if the series is anything, it is dramatic!

The second season of Mismatched is a light, dramatic, and too serious show. The spoiled kids might be annoying, but luckily, season 2 has some sweet moments that keep us interested.

Written by: Yuvashree S