The show also touches upon queer representation and Islamophobia
The web series Class has started streaming on Netflix, and while the plot of the show remains the same as its Spanish counterpart ‘Elite,’ the Indian version explores casteism issues specific to the country. It doesn’t stop at this because they also touch upon queer repression and Islamophobia in the show.
Three students join Delhi’s Hampton International school after they get a fully funded scholarship for their education. This eight-episode long series shows how these three students dream big but are met with social, mental and psychological barriers. But what is commendable is the fact that mainstream content is talking about these caste-based issues which can play a larger role in sensitising people.
This conversation has picked up heed on social media platforms also and here is what people are talking about:
Class on Netflix is so eerily similar to Elite. From the 3 poor students being given a scholarship to an elite school to the classism and murder and relationship drama! The only thing different between these two are the actors/actresses. @netflix
— ✨Agatron🇬🇭🇺🇸🏳️🌈✨ (@SlimzyLinzy) February 4, 2023
watch Class on Netflix for a local conceptualisation of Euphoria. It has all the same ingredients: drugs, sex and social media in a Delhi high school, mental health battles, dirty family secrets, inter-religious and -caste and queer relationships. peak “elite modern India” scenes
— Sanjana (@ramachandranesk) February 4, 2023
Totally scandalised by watching Class on Netflix. Is this what South Delhi kids have become? 😐
— Sambhav Raj (@Sambhav7Raj) February 4, 2023
I did not like class on netflix didn’t watch the last ep it was terrible & cringe. But farukh and dhruv were beautiful together. The way they talked to each other was so so special. Like gay indian people talking to their lovers in that particular way is beautiful.
— 💕 (@brattyibo) February 4, 2023
First impressions of the ‘Class’ on Netflix, its making me feel that vulnerable and in fright or flight situation the same way when I used to face bullies in my school.
I think I need courage to watch this.— disasterpersonified (@disastrousage) February 4, 2023
This Class show on Netflix is triggering the shit out of me man.
— Unknown (@MrA_1908) February 3, 2023
class on Netflix and i’m GAGGING watching these people kiss every other second 😭
— •ھ•🌪️ (@baskahaaniyan) February 4, 2023
The original series was created by Darios Madrona and Carlos Montero. While the Indian one has been helmed by Ashim Ahluwalia, Kashyap Kapoor and Raghav Kakkar. The series strongly focuses on a murder mystery that happens when two worlds collide in a school full of elite and lower caste kids. The cast includes actors like Gurfateh Pirzada, Piyush Khati, Anjali Sivaraman, Zeyn Shaw and Naina Bhan. Despite a plethora of teenage dramas like Sex Education, Gossip Girl and Never Have I Ever, Class stays true to the Indian context and hence, stands out.
“In February 2020, I got to know about an audition which was for a show on the lives of young adults. Back then, we had Euphoria, 13 Reasons Why, and Riverdale, but not a single show in India on those lines. When I met the casting director, he explained to me the entire plot and my character and then gave me the liberty to play it out the way I want. The aim was to get a gist of how I enact the lines of Faruq, my character. Eventually, with India under lockdown, in August 2020 the production house reached out to me saying that the show-runner Ashim Ahluwalia liked my audition and they wanted to cast me for the role,” said Chintan Rachchh, one of the lead characters in the show.
Lead Image: Netflix
