Mismatched: A Coming-of-Age Story That Transcends Dating Apps

After I finished watching Schitt’s Creek, I entered a state of mourning (no for real), and contrary to popular belief, I actually don’t watch a lot of T.V- don’t really have the time to, I struggle to sit still, and maybe it’s a good thing because I get so invested into the characters. So when I asked my friend about Mismatched and she shrugged her shoulders and said “meh…time pass” – I thought, ‘Yeah okay I need something a bit lighter anyway’ (and it helps when you have a lil crush on Rohit Saraf right?!)

Little did I know, that not only Rohit, but the entire cast would grab me in a chokehold in a way that I haven’t experienced in a long time. I binged Season 1 and 2 in two days (and I’m really not a binger!), and I purposefully put off Season 3 because I was expecting pain and I didn’t really want to end it with these characters like that.

You know what though, I’m so glad I paced gently through Season 3 and that it ended the way it did. Grab your chai, let’s talk Mismatched with a psycho-social lens, from your favourite therapist at Muted Healing, Advocate Afsar. (I’m an advocate today because my favourite part is the end – #JusticeForDimple)

Netflix’s Mismatched evolves far beyond its initial premise of an arranged-meets-dating-app setup into a nuanced exploration of young India finding its voice. Through three seasons, the series masterfully weaves personal growth with social commentary, particularly evident in the stellar third season.

Dimple and Rishi’s journey reflects the tension between tradition and modernity that defines contemporary Indian youth; in my opinion, both in India, and the diaspora. Despite fearing disappointment I ended up loving Season 3 the most, because of how it moves past the ‘will-they-won’t-they’ dynamic to tackle weightier themes. I came to the show for Rohit Saraf (Rishi) but from episode 1 of Season 1, I was staying because of Prajakta Koli (Dimple). She brings a remarkable depth to Dimple’s character arc whilst not letting go of a single nuance of the growing pains of teenage hood. She effectively shows us how academic ambition and emotional vulnerability aren’t mutually exclusive. Her confrontations with family expectations feel especially raw and authentic, and not in a ‘dramatic, loud shouting’ kind of way, but a more natural, believable approach (kudos to the writers, and Prajakta).

While Dimple and Rishi anchor Mismatched, it’s the supporting characters’ evolution that showcases the series’ exceptional storytelling depth. Season 3 particularly excels in exploring the complexities of relationships beyond conventional romantic narratives that portray a diverse, interconnected India. REPRESENTATION?! I mean…I don’t even want to call it that. I want to call it the vision of a better tomorrow, and the potential of today. From Namrata’s (and Celina’s) journey of self-acceptance to Harsh’s struggle with privilege and purpose, each character embodies different facets of a generation wrestling with identity.

The Heart of Mismatched is Beyond the Main Romance

Sid and Zeenat’s storyline emerges as one of the most poignant developments. Zeenat is a mature student, and her teacher Sid is actually younger than her. While sparks are alluded to fly from Zeenat’s side in the earlier seasons, it’s only after the summer school ends that they decide to bring their relationship to fruition. Age, religion, caste, nor creed stops them blossoming a beautiful relationship, which in turn, ultimately takes it’s share of challenging bumps due to core differences in what they want from life.

I loved the way that the writers didn’t force the discrepancy in religion storyline, it was such a non-issue; what beautiful way to let their love simmer than through their shared fondness of cooking and food. There was something very easy about their relationship, whether it was getting together, long-distance, or moving cities for each other. Even their contention with adoption didn’t lead to shouting matches, rather a mature understanding of each other’s lives diverging. The way that getting married in order to adopt, wasn’t a source of tension, to the way they even got married and announced it to everyone – everything was so relaxed and not highly strung, a true breath of fresh air for a culture in need of some grounding when it comes to these so called ‘big’ life decisions. Sid and Zeenat are a slap in the face of a far-right India and promises hope for many youngsters who set aside to keep trying again, and again, and again.

The Anmol-Vinny dynamic offers a masterclass in portraying complex emotional entanglements. Anmol’s character arc from the charming player to someone confronting their own trauma and defence mechanisms is particularly well-executed. We see the frustrations of an angry young man in the aftermath of an accident that completely changed the course of his life handled with a raw aggression. The show doesn’t shy away from showing how past hurts shape current relationships, even in the moments where you try to be a better person. Handling important concepts like ‘woke currency’ and ‘cancel culture’ – these two are hope yet that love can transcend and heal trauma.

Krish is another character that has layers yet to be explored (perhaps a Season 4 platform!?). For a guy who gave up a career in medicine to pursue his love, lost his long-term girlfriend, best friend, hair, all in one summer, there’s a lot of potential for growth for us to see. Perhaps his obsession with one-night-stands was a defence mechanism to keep people at a distance from his deteriorating mental health, confusion about who he is and whether he’s of value amongst such turbulent times. Abhinav Sharma plays the frustrated, horny, prankster well, and I’m excited to see more of him.

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In Defence of Dimple: The Beautiful Mess of Being Human

So when I was avoiding all things about Season 3 on socials before I’d even seen it, the TikTok and reels were all Team Rishi and commenting about how nobody should ever be like Dimple. As I watched each episode, I was increasingly confused as to why so much frustration towards her character. The beauty of Mismatched’s third season lies in its courage to let Dimple be unapologetically human, with all her flaws and complexities intact (although I struggle to even call them flaws when she portrays just a human experience). While the internet rushes to cast her as the villain in Rishi’s romantic hero narrative, the show presents something far more nuanced – a young woman grappling with ambition, grief, and self-discovery.

Dimple’s season 3 arc powerfully explores the weight of being the “chosen one.” Now interestingly, you’d think her struggle with impostor syndrome would be in the tech world, as this reflects a reality many high-achieving women face. The irony is that the tech world is where Dimple feels the safest, and the most herself. The impostor syndrome most arises in her relationship with Rishi. And without saying the words, I knew what she felt – “am I good enough for them?” And let’s be real, when a walking, talking, green flag like Rishi is your partner, those feel like some pretty big shoes to fill! (One of the beauties of their relationship though is that they communicate…well for the most part lol).

The series brilliantly denies the typical “good girl reforms for love” trope. Dimple’s hesitation about marriage isn’t portrayed as a character flaw but as a legitimate response to her life experiences, including the grief of losing her father. Deep it, her relationship with her career isn’t just ambition – it’s her way of claiming agency in a world that constantly tries to define her through her relationships. It’s why she was ‘DimpleNoDamsel‘ in the online world of League of Legends while she grew up with a mother who was constantly obsessed with her skin colour and making her marriage material. How many of us can relate with the way we latch on to an aspect of our identity that gives us the freedom to be ourselves? Some respond with maladaptive behaviours like addictions, and others find their life’s purpose and mission through it.

The show allows Dimple to make mistakes without demonising her. The writers don’t force her to choose between being “likeable” and being authentic. When she expresses doubts about her engagement with Rishi and the traditional path he envisions, it’s not portrayed as her being difficult – it’s shown as her being honest about her needs and fears.

And this friction between Dimple and Rishi isn’t simply about compatibility; it’s about two people at different stages of their journeys. While Rishi has a clearer sense of what he wants from life, Dimple is still figuring it out – and that’s perfectly valid. Her journey isn’t about becoming “worthy” of Rishi’s love; it’s about understanding what she wants for herself.

I think we need to cut Dimple some slack. She went through an entire 3 years of a depressive episode when she was rejected for something she had worked her entire life towards. An experience that many 20-somethings will go through when their entire childhood and youth of education gets brought into question. Just when life was picking itself up, she suddenly lost her father, and life was expected to move on quickly with her abrupt engagement to Rishi. So netizens, chill out! Y’all are moving like Season 3 was the end of Rishi and Dimple. I’m not so sure it is. I think they’re story has more beauty to show us, and I’m hopeful that there’ll be a Season 4 that takes us through to their happy endings (and guess what, that happy ending may not be with each other!) Life has a funny way of demonstrating that what you want isn’t always what you need- who knows this better than our Dimple. I can’t lie though, I don’t wanna see Rishi cry or Dimple have another panic attack again. I can’t handle it.

So there you have it. Came for the time pass/ Rohit crush, stayed for the representation and Prajakta Koli! Mismatched portrays an India that’s both rooted and progressive. The characters navigate dating, careers, and mental health while maintaining connections to their cultural heritage. It’s a powerful counter-narrative to regressive ideologies, showing that embracing modernity doesn’t mean losing one’s identity. There is beauty in intersectionality. Thank you Mismatched, I’m closer to Sid’s age than any of the youngsters, but I feel the same hopeful promise that he does too.