Many dedicated readers have found the book, which is set in the 1950s and portrays various interreligious friendships and relationships, to be enduring due to its relatable family dramas and as a guide for secular, independent citizenship. Despite multiple failed attempts, the beloved novel has finally been adapted into a luxurious new six-part series, directed by Mira Nair, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker known for "Salaam Bombay!" and "Monsoon Wedding." The series premiered on BBC One in July and was praised in Britain for being the network's first prime-time drama filmed in India with a predominantly Indian cast. However, in India, the response was more complex as members of the ruling Hindu nationalist party called for a boycott over its portrayal of interfaith romance, leading to an investigation by police into Netflix, the show's distributor there. In the United States, where "A Suitable Boy" premiered on streaming service Acorn TV, the series arrived with less fanfare and without any calls for boycott. Nair, who was raised in India but now lives in New York, has jokingly referred to the show as "'The Crown' in Brown" due to its grand story and production. However, beyond its impressive scale and reputation, the project holds deep personal and political significance for her. Nair stated in a recent video call from her home that she wanted to create a reflection of a world that seemed to be drifting further away. The 1950s, a time of idealism and secularism, has always resonated with her, as it was the year her parents got married. The novel "A Suitable Boy" was born during a time when Hindu nationalist politics were gaining prominence in India after violent clashes over the destruction of a mosque in Ayodhya in 1992. The story is set in the aftermath of the British partition of India in 1947, which led to the creation of Pakistan. His approach was to write a dramatic comedy of manners, focusing on a mother's efforts at Indian matchmaking and turning it into a complex and heartfelt story involving four upper-class families, forbidden love, religious harmony, and political issues after Partition. This novel became the definitive representation of India's early years. After facing challenges in getting the book adapted, Seth personally chose Welsh screenwriter Andrew Davies, known for his successful adaptation of Tolstoy's "War and Peace" in 2016. Seth entrusted his sister, Aradhana Seth, with overseeing the adaptation process while he worked on a sequel. The BBC commissioned the series in 2017, with director Nair joining the project the following year. Putting aside the humorous comparisons, the adaptation of "Suitable" is similar in soapiness and sweep to "The Crown," but did not have the same budget as the House of Windsor drama. In order to afford the desired locations and period detail, the production was reduced from eight episodes to six and streamlined the complex narrative of the book. Aradhana Seth emphasized the importance of approaching adaptations with fresh eyes and focusing on the TV version's main characters, Lata and Maan, as they navigate coming of age in 1952 India amidst the country's first post-independence elections. Maan becomes involved in his father's election campaign, exposing him to the broader politics of caste and religion, while Lata discovers her own path despite her mother's insistence on finding her a suitable Hindu boy. Maniktala commented on Lata's abundant energy, noting that she is a recent university graduate who has not yet experienced much of the world. Lata lives in a optimistic bubble where she believes everything will turn out well. Filming finished in India in December, and Nair took a break from editing the show in London to visit New York in March. However, her plans were disrupted when international borders closed due to the coronavirus. In a video interview, Nair showed how she edited the show with her team across multiple screens from different locations around the world. The music for the show was composed remotely, with a full orchestra in Budapest and composers Alex Heffes and sitarist Anoushka Shankar in Los Angeles and London. The show received praise in the mainstream press in Britain for its representation on the BBC, but South Asian critics criticized the English dialogue and accents. Some questioned why an 84-year-old Welsh writer adapted the iconic story about modern India and a young woman's romantic awakening. As social media criticism grew, Vikram Seth defended his choice of Davies, saying "race should have nothing to do with it" in The Telegraph. Davies explained that he was chosen for his experience in adapting long books, despite not being very Indian, from his home in the British Midlands. Nair, who has also adapted "Bleak House" and "Pride and Prejudice" for TV, expressed a need to defend his territory as a writer and to be able to put himself in the minds of characters different from him. Raised in a secular Hindu family, Nair fought to include more political themes from the novel in the screenplay. She aimed to shift the focus from marriage concerns to portraying Lata as a symbol of India's development. Nair also worked to incorporate spoken Hindi and Urdu into the screenplay, despite BBC broadcasting restrictions. When asked about balancing her Indian perspective with British television standards, she laughed. "It was a delightful struggle, I would say." This is a common challenge for Nair, who is experienced in advocating for more accurate and artistic portrayals of South Asians in Western media. She has directed several acclaimed films about India and its diaspora that address ongoing social issues rooted in everyday life. According to Amardeep Singh, a professor at Lehigh University and author of "The Films of Mira Nair: Diaspora Vérité," Nair's work, including "A Suitable Boy," explores the changes happening in modern India and fits well with her previous films like "Monsoon Wedding" and "Salaam Bombay!". The series was shot on location in real cities, where production designers worked to create a midcentury Indian minimalism by hiding the chaos of modern life. A mansion in Lucknow was transformed into the salon of a Muslim singer and courtesan named Saeeda Bai, symbolizing the aristocratic Islamic court culture and literary sensuality that was fading away at the start of the story. Tabu, one of India's most acclaimed actors, portrays the character of Saeeda in Mira Nair's film. Saeeda's poetry, singing, and beauty captivate Maan, the son of a prominent Hindu politician. Tabu emphasized Mira's commitment to portraying women on screen authentically, noting Saeeda's ethereal and untouchable quality. Maan, played by Khatter, highlighted the relevance of interfaith love stories in a diverse country like India, drawing from his own personal experience as the son of parents from different religions. The filming concluded just as protests erupted in cities following the government's controversial law that excludes Muslim migrants from obtaining Indian citizenship. Sadaf Jafar, who plays Bibbo, Saeeda's servant, took part in the protests and was arrested and beaten by police during a violent crackdown. Despite the warnings of friends, Nair launched a public campaign for Jafar's release, inspired by the words of poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. In the current political climate, speaking out for artists is challenging, but Nair believed it was important to do so. The themes of multiculturalism and hope in "A Suitable Boy" may seem outdated, but Maniktala, who portrays Lata, found them to be relevant and moving. She was emotional as she remembered her own grandfather's experience as a Hindu refugee during the 1947 partition. She expressed the significance of pain and the lessons it brings, emphasizing the diminishing empathy in society. She stressed the importance of remembering our roots and never forgetting where we came from.