The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh

Funny, easy to watch series. It's a comedy series, so, spoiler alert, they've exaggerated behaviours for comedy value. It's not real life or a documentary. I enjoyed the dysfunctional family dynamics and I lived for Sudha and little Vinod's characters.

Sudha, the mum, is played by Sindhu Vee who is a hilarious stand-up comedian in the UK (if you don't know her, she's worth looking up)

It's a fun, light hearted series with a few uncomfortable scenes but easy to watch. It's reflective of the 2020s and it's nice to see a non-white family as the lead characters. I've read a few negative reviews about authenticity but I'm fairly sure the producers were trying to create a funny series, not factually accurate. Enjoy!

The show felt like a guilty pleasure - entertaining but with average acting. What really disappointed me was the shallow portrayal of Indian culture, especially considering it was directed by an Indian.

I don't mind lighthearted jokes that play with stereotypes, but it missed the mark on traditions. For instance, Rakhi signifies a brother's duty to protect his sister, not the other way around, yet they got that wrong along with many other cultural elements.

On top of that, it rehashed the usual stereotypes about poverty and cleanliness in India without offering anything new or insightful. I had hoped for an accurate and authentic representation of India, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a mix of hits and misses.

The show's portrayal of Indian culture feels incredibly simplistic and fails to capture the true essence of modern India. For instance, the image of Indians wearing kurtas in meetings is a glaring stereotype that does not reflect reality. This reliance on outdated representations overlooks the diversity and dynamism of contemporary Indian society.

It would have significantly improved the show if the creators had conducted even basic research into how India is. A little effort could have led to a more authentic depiction, showcasing the nuances of Indian culture rather than resorting to clichés. Authenticity matters in storytelling, as it fosters a deeper connection with the audience and offers a more accurate reflection of the society being portrayed.

Moreover, while the plot has potential, the acting and direction leave much to be desired. The performances often feel flat and lack the depth needed to bring the characters to life. Strong direction is essential for transforming a good script into a compelling narrative, yet here, it seems to be lacking. Moments that should resonate emotionally instead fall flat, which detracts from the overall viewing experience.

Ultimately, the show misses an opportunity to present a richer, more relatable narrative. By relying on stereotypes and neglecting the cultural realities of modern India, it fails to engage viewers meaningfully. A more thoughtful approach, grounded in research and authentic representation, could have made for a much more impactful experience.

Yes the Pradeeps are Indian, they speak with Indian accents, they wear Indian clothes but they are also very Americanized despite living in Pittsburgh for such a short time. There are nods to the Pradeeps' heritage but by and large this is a show for a general American audience. That audience is still not ready for a dignified romantic relationship between a brown person and a white person. What we get instead is the daugher Bhanu lusting after her neighbor Stu but told to slow down because of their religious differences. The son Kamal lusts after his neighbor Janice who is also his school teacher. Its embarassing to see this on screen in 2024 and I was mashing the fast forward ten seconds button on my remote to get through it. The neighbor Jimbo remarks that women would be interested in the father character Mahesh for his understanding of Karma, but of course we will not ever see a woman show interest towards a brown man in this program.

If you're ready and willing to fast foward through the cringe there are some enjoyable dynamics in the show. The friendship between Mahesh and Jimbo was refreshing. The rivalry between Sudha and Janice is over the top but funny at times. I like the two investigator characters who play good cop, bad cop and try to get a confession out of the Pradeeps. The youngest son Vinod is meant to be a precious kid and draws laughs. Heck I like the entire cast and I hope they all get roles after this or if there is a season 2 it simply comes out better. Other television programs like 'Fresh Off the Boat' and 'Never Have I Ever' set a standard for immigrant and South Asian stories and they make 'Pradeeps of Pittsburgh' look feeble by comparison.

I found the show really entertaining! Honestly, just ignore the haters-most of the negative comments seem to come from people who just don't get the humor. I'm Indian, and my girlfriend is Colombian, and we both couldn't stop laughing at the accents and the little guy who's obsessed with garbage and recycling. The show definitely has its moments, and what's funny is that I even see some similarities between the characters and my own parents. It's refreshing to see something that plays with cultural quirks. These days, people are so overly sensitive that it's hard to enjoy anything without someone getting offended. But seriously, give it a watch and decide for yourself!