If you’re a die-hard fan of rom-com series, let me introduce you to a gem that might have slipped under your radar. Even though Mismatched first released on Netflix in 2020, I only stumbled upon it a few days ago, and I’m completely in love! It’s got drama, romance, humor, and heart, all wrapped in a youthful, desi setting that feels both familiar and fresh.
Let’s break it down for you.
The series follows the journey of two very different people, Dimple and Rishi. Dimple is a smart, introverted, tech-savvy girl whose main focus in life is to become a successful app developer. She’s not here for boys, makeup, or marriage, just code and career. On the flip side, there’s Rishi, an old-school romantic, the kind of guy who still believes in arranged marriages and happily-ever-afters. While Dimple wants independence, Rishi wants commitment.
Their worlds clash when their families pair them together at a summer coding camp in Jaipur. That’s where things begin to get… well, “mismatched.”
Rishi, a kind-hearted and respectful teenager, agrees to his grandmother’s wish to meet his future bride through an arranged setting. He sees Dimple’s picture on a matrimonial site and is instantly intrigued. Determined to get to know her better, he joins the same coding program as Dimple, with no clue that she has absolutely no idea about this plan.
Dimple, meanwhile, is laser-focused on her coding dreams and not interested in romance. But when Rishi enters her world with his warm smile and gentlemanly charm, the walls she has built start to shake. Slowly, what begins as irritation turns into unexpected connection.
While the series is loosely based on Sandhya Menon’s novel When Dimple Met Rishi, which was set in the U.S., the show makes an interesting shift by placing the story in India; specifically Jaipur. This adds a beautiful cultural touch and brings in real-life pressures that Indian teens often face, from arranged marriages to career expectations.
The six-part series is not just about Dimple and Rishi. The camp is full of quirky and colorful characters, from nerds to jocks to rebels, all trying to figure life out in their own messy ways.
The camp instructor, Siddharth (played by Rannvijay Singh), tries to guide this chaotic bunch through the coding world. Among the classmates, there’s Zeenat, a middle-aged woman learning to code from Google, and Anmol, a gaming champion and Rishi’s rival in more ways than one. You also meet Celina (played by Muskkaan Jaferi), Dimple’s bold and hilarious roommate who steals every scene she’s in. Her line, “Kaajal is like a push-up bra for your eyes”, will stick with you!
Rohit Saraf as Rishi is just the right mix of innocence and sincerity. You can’t help but root for him. Prajakta Koli, who made her transition from YouTube to Netflix, delivers a believable performance as Dimple, torn between her dreams and unexpected emotions.
The supporting cast, including Devyani Shorey as Namrata and Vihaan Samat as Harsh, do a fantastic job adding depth and diversity to the story. Their friendships and conflicts feel real and relatable.
Mismatched touches on a lot of things today’s youth can relate to, career pressure, parental expectations, first love, identity, and personal insecurities. The show cleverly balances the seriousness of these themes with light-hearted moments and witty banter. While not laugh-out-loud funny, it has a charm that keeps you smiling. It also explores LGBTQ+ identity through Namrata’s character, adding more layers to the storyline and showing the complexities of coming out in conservative spaces.
What Works & What Doesn’t
What works:
- Relatable characters
- Cute romantic tension
- Great acting, especially by Rohit and Prajakta
- Strong supporting cast
- Visually appealing Jaipur setting
- A simple but emotionally engaging storyline
What doesn’t:
- Some scenes feel a bit familiar if you’ve watched teen dramas before
- The climax leaves you hanging, Season 1 ends on a major cliffhanger!
Mismatched isn’t breaking any new ground when it comes to rom-com plots, but that’s okay. What it does, it does well. It brings together love, laughter, ambition, and a bit of chaos, just like life itself.
If you’re someone who enjoys watching shows like Never Have I Ever, you’ll feel right at home with Mismatched. It has that same coming-of-age charm with an Indian twist. It’s a binge-worthy, heartwarming series that celebrates imperfections and young love. So, if you’re looking for a series that’s light, relatable, and packed with heart, Mismatched should be on your watchlist. Trust me, you’ll laugh, you’ll smile, and you might just believe in arranged-love-meets-modern-life stories again.
Grab your popcorn and enjoy the mismatched magic!
Available on : Netflix
Language : Hindi (with subtitles)
Genre : Teen Rom-Com /Coming-of-Age Drama
