Many loyal readers appreciate the book, which is based in the 1950s and showcases various interreligious friendships and relationships. The novel is cherished for its relatable family stories and its portrayal of secular, independent citizenship. Finally, after numerous unsuccessful attempts, the beloved book has been adapted into a luxurious six-part series directed by Mira Nair, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker. The series was well-received when it premiered on BBC One in July, being praised as the network's first prime-time drama shot in India with an almost entirely Indian cast. However, the reaction in India was mixed, with members of the ruling Hindu nationalist party calling for a boycott due to its portrayal of interfaith romance, leading to police investigating Netflix, the show's distributor. In the United States, where the series debuted on Acorn TV, it arrived with less fanfare but without any calls for boycott. Nair, who was raised in India but now resides in New York, humorously refers to the show as "‘The Crown’ in Brown" due to its grand story and production. However, beyond its grandeur, the project holds personal and political significance for her. Nair expressed that she wanted to create a reflection of a world that was gradually moving away from her, particularly drawn to the ideals of the 1950s when her parents got married. The novel "A Suitable Boy" was conceived amidst the rise of Hindu nationalist politics in India after the destruction of a mosque in 1992, set against the backdrop of the religious division of India and Pakistan in 1947 by the British. His approach was to write a dramatic comedy of manners, focusing on a mother's efforts at Indian matchmaking which evolved into a complex and heartfelt story involving four upper-class families, forbidden lovers, religious harmony, and post-Partition politics. This novel became the definitive representation of India's early years. Despite initial struggles to adapt the book, Seth personally selected screenwriter Andrew Davies for the task. With the help of his sister, Aradhana Seth, who served as both producer and executive producer, the BBC commissioned the series in 2017. Director Mira Nair, who had shown interest from the start, joined the project the following year. Despite humorous comparisons, the television adaptation of "Suitable" lacked the lavish budget of "The Crown," resulting in the production being condensed to six episodes and focusing primarily on the young protagonists, Lata and Maan. The adaptation had to make compromises in order to afford the locations and period details desired by the creators, Aradhana Seth emphasized the importance of approaching the adaptation with fresh eyes and leaving the book behind. The TV version narrows its focus on Lata and Maan as they navigate coming of age in 1952 India, during the country's first post-independence elections. Maniktala commented on Lata's abundance of energy, noting that she is a recent university graduate who has not yet experienced much of the world. Lata lives in a bubble where she believes everything will be wonderful. Filming for the show was finished in India in December, and Nair took a break from editing in London to visit New York in March. However, international borders closed due to the coronavirus, forcing Nair to edit the show with her team from different locations around the world using multiple screens. The music for the show was created remotely, with a full orchestra in Budapest and composers Alex Heffes and Anoushka Shankar in Los Angeles and London. The show received positive reviews in the mainstream press in Britain for its representation on the BBC, but South Asian critics were less impressed, criticizing the English dialogue and accents. Despite social media backlash, Vikram Seth defended his choice of writer Andrew Davies, saying that race shouldn't be a factor. Davies explained that he was chosen for his experience in adapting long books. His previous TV adaptations include "Bleak House" and "Pride and Prejudice." "I feel defensive and protective of my work as a writer. I believe in my right to empathize with people who are different from me," Nair, who grew up in a non-religious Hindu family, fought to include more of the novel's political themes in the screenplay. "Politics was a major focus for me, and one of my main goals was to shift the story's balance," she explained. "Instead of focusing on 'will she or won't she marry,' like in 'Pride and Prejudice' with Mrs. Bennet, I wanted to emphasize Lata's role in shaping India." Nair also aimed to incorporate as much Hindi and Urdu dialogue as possible while adhering to BBC broadcasting rules. When asked about balancing her unique perspective with the expectations of British television, she simply laughed. “It was a delightful struggle, if I may say so.” This is a common challenge for Nair, who is experienced in the often tough battles for more authentic and artistic portrayals of South Asians on Western screens. Nair has created several well-received films about India and its diaspora, often focusing on social issues rooted in everyday life. According to Amardeep Singh, a professor at Lehigh University, her latest project, "A Suitable Boy," continues this trend by addressing the changes happening in modern India, fitting in with her previous works like "Monsoon Wedding" and "Salaam Bombay!". The series was shot on location in real cities, capturing both their grandeur and decay, with production designers working to create a midcentury Indian minimalism by concealing the chaos of modern life. In Lucknow, a mansion was transformed into the home of a Muslim singer and courtesan named Saeeda Bai, symbolizing a fading aristocratic Islamic court culture and literary sensuality. Tabu, one of India's most celebrated actors, plays the role of Saeeda in the film. Her character's poetry, singing, and beauty captivate Maan, the son of a prominent Hindu politician. Tabu mentioned that director Mira Nair is very particular about portraying women on screen, and Saeeda Bai is depicted as ethereal and untouchable. Maan, played by Khatter, emphasized the powerful theme of interfaith love in a diverse country like India. He shared his personal connection to the theme as the son of parents from different religions. The filming wrapped up just before protests erupted in response to a law excluding Muslim migrants from Indian citizenship under the Hindu nationalist government. Sadaf Jafar, who portrays Saeeda's servant, Bibbo, took part in protests and was subsequently arrested and mistreated by police. Despite warnings from friends, Nair launched a public campaign for Jafar's release, quoting poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz to justify her actions. The positive message of multiculturalism in "A Suitable Boy" may appear outdated, but Maniktala, who plays Lata, found the story's themes of hope and kindness to be relevant. Reflecting on her own family's history, Maniktala became emotional as she considered the impact of the 1947 partition on her grandfather. She acknowledged the significance of pain and the lessons it teaches. She believes that people are becoming less empathetic and that the humanity aspect is diminishing. She emphasized the importance of remembering our roots and never forgetting where we came from.