Pluribus Backlash: Fans Slam NRI Character's Distorted Hindi Accent in Vince Gilligan's Apple TV+ Series

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Vince Gilligan's highly anticipated sci-fi drama Pluribus has been making waves on social media, but not for its mind-bending plot twists or thought-provoking themes. The show's portrayal of Laxmi, played by Sri Lankan-Australian actress Menik Gooneratne, has come under fire for its jarring Hindi accent. In a tense scene, Laxmi's Hindi dialogue left many viewers scratching their heads, with some taking to social media to express their disappointment. 'Massive Hollywood productions, but they can't find one Indian actor who can speak in Hindi?' one user lamented on Threads. 'What is she even saying?' Another user concurred, 'It's a powerful character setup ruined by the dialogue.' However, not everyone was critical of Gooneratne's performance. Some users pointed out that an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) character's accent might be more authentic if they had stayed away from India for an extended period. 'A Sri Lankan who grew up in India speaking Hindi for a while and moved abroad would probably sound like her,' one user explained. The controversy has sparked a wider debate about representation in media and the importance of authenticity in casting. Some users suggested that casting a more Indian actor, such as Radhika Apte, would have been a better choice. 'It's so hard to watch her and not cringe, she's a first-gen Indian trying an Indian accent,' one user wrote. Pluribus follows the story of Carol Sturka, a best-selling author played by Rhea Seehorn, who is one of the few people immune to a hive-mind alien virus that has taken over the Earth's population. The Apple TV+ original premiered on November 7 and will wrap up its nine-episode season on December 26.