When Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever came out on Netflix, a whole generation of South Asian Millennials finally got a modern franchise that combined the frustration and sexual drive of their most hormonal years. And the show had other perks. It came with hints of American heritage and customs. The global movement to show more diverse stories on TV and in movies can sometimes look like a cynical way to cash in on people’s desire for social change. But you have to agree with the fact that Never Have I Ever has surely helped in changing things.

Let’s put light on how the show has helped South Asians living in America. Let them relate to something that they’ve been missing for ages.

Never Have I Ever is a landmark for South Asian prime shows

It’s safe to say that the show’s protagonist, Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), isn’t a typical heroine. She is beautiful and smart in the classroom. However, she lacks sexual experience. It is certainly nice to see a more toned depiction of sexuality in Never Have I Ever than in other adolescent TV series.

Devi’s obsession with boys is central to the plot. Confidence building for South Asian Millennials, who were intimidated for ages by the standards set by American TV shows, can be found in watching her as the center of a love triangle and being seen as sexually desirable by the most highly desired boy in school, despite her innumerable insecurities.

Sex and the diversity

Devi’s network of friends includes people of many different backgrounds, and they all actively date, whether or not their parents approve. The show’s main girl gang is shown to be more empowered to withstand social pressures to have sex. They also stand up to being slut-shamed. Despite that, their expectations of having sex still exist, especially in the most recent season as Devi explores her new relationship with the school hottie Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet).

Never Have I Ever‘s a spot-on depiction of the South Asian cultural setting is a power stroke. Older viewers like the ability to reminisce about their formative years. On the other hand, younger viewers appreciate the chance to see themselves represented in the media. The show’s appeal spans generations since viewers of all ages can enjoy it.

If you haven’t watched the show yet, watch it now on Netflix.