Zeenat is one character that is closest to who I really am, says Vidya Malvade on Mismatched

The Netflix series Mismatched shows us that it’s never too late to learn and pursue your goals. Actress Vidya Malvade as plays an older student, Zeenat Karim, in the upcoming teen romance starring Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf.

The web-series, co-directed by Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadhikari, is based on the novel When Dimple Met Rishi by Indian-American author Sandhya Menon.

Malvade’s character is a widow from Lucknow, who goes back to college in her 40s. Though Zeenat feels out of place amongst the young IT crowd, she tries her best to be accepted and fit in with the younger generation.

Talking about the teen romance, Malvade stated, “Mismatched is a story that many young people are currently living and one that will make older viewers nostalgic. College was a wonderful and challenging time for all of us, and fitting in and finding your tribe was essential to the overall experience.”

“I found Zeenat’s character to be warm and endearing and a bit clumsy as she tries to fit in,” she said of her role. “Honestly, she is so much like the real me. She is one character that is closest to who I really am, so playing this role felt like second nature.”

“Plus working with this cast was a riot — they’re all so talented and highly energetic that their drive rubbed off on me as well,” Malvade added. “In fact, they were quite besotted by the image of Vidya Sharma, the character I played in Chak De! India (2007). I hope, in some way, the character of Zeenat encourages some women to go back to college, if they so wish, and follow their long lost dream.”

Koli plays tech wizard Dimple who must pair up with Saraf’s Rishi to create an amazing app for college. The Netflix web-series, written by Gajal Dhaliwal, also stars Vihaan Samat, Taaruk Raina, Devyani Shorey, Muskaan Jaferi and Rannvijay Singh. It is due to be released later this month.