Ms Marvel is about as desi as it can get in Hollywood, and we are here for it! Created by British-Pakistani screenwriter Bisha K. Ali, Ms Marvel combines the best and the worst of being South Asian in a foreign country. Even though we expected nothing short of greatness, we have been left impressed with the nuances in the show that are relatable to any desi around the globe.
Stars from home
Instead of casting white actors to speak in fake Asian accents, the casting directors of Ms Marvel have brought in people of Indian and Pakistani origin to add to the cast. Starting with Iman Vellani, a Pakistani-Canadian actor who plays Kamala Khan, to her parents played by Mohan Kapur and Zenobia Shroff, both Indian actors, the cast fits perfect into their roles. In the upcoming episodes, we can also expect to see the powerhouses of talent, Fawad Khan and Farhan Akhtar. While Fawad has been roped in to play a character named Hasan, Farhan Akhtar’s role is yet undisclosed. In a promo of the show, Akhtar is shown sporting long hair and quoting philosophical lines in a sombre tone. Popular Pakistani actors Mehwish Hayat and Samina Ahmad will also be seen in pivotal roles.
Everyday desi-pan done right
In most Hollywood films, even if you have good representation, there is always a fear of those characters being whitewashed. Thankfully, the creators of Ms Marvel have steered clear of that possibility. Yusuf and Muneeba Khan are the typical desi parents to Kamala Khan. Even her brother Aamir hasn’t forgotten his desi roots. From praying before starting his breakfast to telling Kamala to say Bismillah before she starts her car for her driving test, the Khan family is highly relatable for desis.
The series doesn’t shy away from using Hindi dialogues, and the best part is that the Asians are not made a mockery of. This in itself is quite a refreshing change. In one instance, Kamala and her mother go shopping for her brother’s wedding. Like true desis, they end up in a South Asian market. From the shopkeepers to the customers, everyone is South Asian. In the same sequence, Kamala can be seen wearing heavy jewellery from head to waist. Almost everyone who has gone wedding shopping with their parents will relate to Kamala at this point.
The dramatics of Muneeba, Kamala’s mother, are quite Bollywood-esque. From her rant about how everything is her fault when Kamala fails her driving test, to giving her a lecture on the importance of taking her father to the AvengerCon, she is a true-blue Bollywood mother.
The South Asian music sets the tone
The music often sets the tone for a good movie or show. It gives you an idea of what kind of show to expect. If you have watched Guardians of the Galaxy, you will know how much of an impact music has on MCU. In Ms Marvel too, the show’s background score is a lot of South Asian music. From a Hindi song playing as Kamala starts her car during her driving test, to the popular Pakistani pop song, Ko Ko Korina playing as she walks through the market, the music matches the brownness of the show.
Desi music is sprinkled through the show even in the end credits. The first episode ends with Eva B’s Urdu rap Rozi, while a lot of other Pakistani songs are interspersed in the show. Indian music also has a place in Ms Marvel with AR Rahman’s Oh Nanba making an appearance in the show. With this, we also get the melodious vocals of SP Balasubramaniam in the MCU.
We all know how important music is to Bollywood and we see the same importance given to music in Ms Marvel. Don’t be surprised if the show turns out to be a mini-Bollywood presentation after all.
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