Web Series Review “A Diwali Dilemma” It’s “A Christmas Carol”…brilliantly, comedically reinvented and served South Asian style
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
***PLEASE NOTE*** This Review encompasses the WHOLE of the project, and not the individual segments that will be rolling out later this month as mini webisodes on YouTube.
First, the Recap:
Overworked, stressed out, and just plain tired. In this hectic, even more fast-paced world we exist within, reaching this state of being is sadly becoming more and more common and EASY. As we allow those things which, granted, currently mean the most to us to drive us through it all, it doesn’t preclude the fact that we then tend to leave behind those things that are truly far more important. Lost in a haze of busy-ness, what if we suddenly get reminded of this? Will we change…..or keep resisting?
Beleaguered investment banker Mala (Priya Pappu) is BURIED in her job, aiming for a promotion in a toxic workplace, swallowed up in wanting success and financial gain as the marks of her accomplishments. However, the Diwali holiday is upon her, and the office party being thrown by her uniformed boss Michelle (Ruth Kaufman) only serves to annoy Mala, who could care less about it anyway. But when she gets confronted by the past (Priya Deva), present (Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar), and future (Pappu again), an alteration of mind and heart might just be in order.
Next, my Mind:
There is something to be understood when it comes to the ever-growing commonality of reboots, remakes, and/or reimaginings of timeless stories or themes that have been permeating the film realms for many a year now…..it sometimes seems like TOO MUCH! Some might herald it as a conspicuous indication that the entire notion of presenting anything NEW has been lost, and that falling back on that which has been done before is, quite simply, “easier” to do. However, what might happen when a very oft presented story, yes, gets told once more, but THIS time from an entirely different culture’s perspective, with only the baseline premise of said tale being what’s appropriated? Might THAT be enough to make it….FRESH?? Even…..ORIGINAL?? Well, when it comes to this latest web series from writer/director Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, executive producers Roopal Badheka and Christina Paschyn, plus associate producer Farabi Khaleque which sees Charles Dickens’ immortal classic “A Christmas Carol” placed in a South Asian, Gen Z-based context….yeah, I’d say THAT is something creative, inspired, impactful, and absolutely entertaining!
And so it is precisely that which comes about as we are guided through this effort that takes on the foundational premise of the aforementioned literary gem and puts it into an entirely different societal arena AND cornerstone holiday as we witness the trials and Holiday Spirit-centric challenges being faced by an overzealous, highly overachieving investment banker who experiences a revival of faith, belief, and the importance of needing to be who she TRULY is and wants to be after an office Diwali party going seriously wrong brings her into contact with the Three Spirits of Diwali and the lessons each “persuades” and encourages her to listen to, acknowledge, accept, and apply. The mere fact that this project successfully manages TO revitalize this narrative we’ve read and/or seen COUNTLESS times in both film and TV form is impressive in itself, and for this critic, a further ode to WHY South Asian cinema has been such a wonderfully enlightening and invigorating journey that I truly feel FAR more of us here in America really do need to take advantage of watching.
What next stands out for me is the adeptly written and smartly directed intermixing of comedy and drama to create the ambiance of blatant hilarity and stirring heart this series provides in only a grand total of 17 short minutes combined. The forays into gender roles, being someone reluctant to ask for help, striving for independence and acknowledgement as a woman in the workplace, experiencing personal loss of importance and joy that a given traditional celebration always used to provide us, coping mechanisms, a shared cultural obsession with financial/work success being the MARK of success, how we influence others who end up looking up to or “following” us even when we might not have intended it, Western ignorance about South Asian holidays, misnomers for diversity vs. its genuine meaning, and other elements of culture clashes, misunderstandings, and the need to be reminded of WHO we are so that we may progress in a more constructive, healthy manner are all addressed throughout the series and give way to a finale that, yes, we basically know and anticipate, yet it still feels rejuvenated, charming, cathartic, and necessary all over again.
As hinted at earlier, so much of these previously mentioned facets are played for some awesomely hysterical instances (the WAY Mala ends up in touch with her “hauntings” is a riot in itself, yet SO apropos!). But again, there is plenty of seriousness to go around as well, which makes the sum total of the series so worthwhile to watch and consider regardless of your own ethnicity, beliefs and faith, or holiday preferences! That’s the artistry and grounded relatability we find in independent circles, and this effort is certainly no exception. Pappu is a total delight, filled with a vibrant energy that immediately engages you with her via the lead role of Mala, a woman filled with drive and ambition but whose constant toil at her job has caused her entire identity to be focused on just the tangible success there…and not much else. Now feeling hounded by the Diwali holiday she used to love, the office party for it makes it even more tedious than ever.
But during the party, in her attempt to “escape” it, an unfortunate…stumble…causes her to encounter three Spirits of Diwali who immediate begin to show her that everything she believes she wants to be ISN’T at all in her real best interests. How these visits impact Mala and the consequent decisions she must make are expected, but thanks alone to the culture switch and Pappu’s excellent, grounded, and believable performance, it once more makes everything come alive. Deva continues on her own winning streak of wonderful performances through her role as Sunita, the Spirit of Diwali Past aka: Mala’s grandmother, who becomes the first lovingly doting yet also (comedically) firm wake-up call for Mala and the jerk back to reality she needs while having a blissful reminiscing of her childhood and the Holiday’s meaning. Deva is unpretentiously skillful at playing characters like this, as the actress possesses a wholly natural delivery that exudes the kind of wisdom Sunita needs to embody while still being able to be credibly and playfully humorous as well.
Rajakumar steps out from behind the composition and camera to enact her role here as the Spirit of Diwali Present aka: Jean, a former professor of Mala’s who becomes the reminder of the REAL dreams and aspirations her former student actually had and tossed aside for the sake of never believing it could amount to anything. I applaud the more straightforward attitude that Rajakumar brings to this character, as it befits someone who is passionate about teaching and seeing others take what’s she’s provided and excelled, which is the challenge that must get presented to Mala to reinitiate her thinking about what she REALLY wished to do but didn’t. Finally, Pappu actually returns as Mala via the Spirit of Diwali Future, who appears to let her know that all she believes is already set and coming does NOT end up the way she’s envisioned. It is a sobering actuality Mala must endure learning about that will have the ultimate impact on her and then knowing how she must move forward to find genuine joy in herself, others, and Diwali.
Cattinari shines brightly and with a very controlled sense of both urgency and wholehearted exuberation through her role as Urmila, Mala’s sister. I very much appreciated how Cattinari was able to effectively take on the character here, and it lends itself so well to the narrative and its course, allowing a new star in the making (I really do feel) to showcase some initial talents that we should be seeing more of going forward. Primary supporting roles arrive starting with a completely hilarious Kaufman as Michelle, Mala’s boss who doesn’t waste much time showing how arrogant and utterly clueless she is about ANYTHING related to Diwali, much less South Asian people! Levin Valayil plays Manoj, a fellow co-worker who looks out for Mala, both professionally and we get the feeling personally as well. He is a very vocal advocate for correcting ALL the mistakes about the holiday and South Asian people his painfully naïve and (amusingly here) racist co-workers seem intent on commenting about. Speaking of said co-workers, the roles are played to purposeful and mirthful magnitude by Jordon Kline, Walter J. Buck, Jill Holder, and Virginia Vogt who milk each and every moment they have on screen to ensure we get plenty of jovial “shock and awe” over their evident insensitivity.
An additional appearance is made by DeMarco C. Jackson and a host of others. So, in total, “A Diwali Dilemma” has beautifully proven that even one of the most known tales in history can be reinvented anew, providing a unique and applicable point of view about us as people, our reactions to other cultures, our mutual need to find our true identity, demonstrate a willingness to abscond from what is detrimental to our journey, embrace our heritage and customs, follow our dreams, and ultimately recognize the validity of sharing this world with each other in, ideally, a better mindset to co-exist peacefully while still being able to respect others, and remain open to, perhaps even take part in, what they hold dear. Hey, just do some research ahead of time so you at least grasp what you’re talking about first, ok? And just be YOURSELF.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
