Mismatched is an Indian coming-of-age romantic drama series on Netflix, inspired by the novel When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. The story centers on Dimple Ahuja, an ambitious and tech-savvy girl who dreams of becoming a successful app developer, and Rishi Singh Shekhawat, a sweet and traditional boy who believes in arranged marriage and comes to a coding camp hoping to meet his future wife—Dimple.
Their first meeting is anything but smooth, as Dimple is furious about being unknowingly set up for marriage and is focused entirely on her career. Despite their differences, the two are forced to work together on a project and gradually develop a complicated relationship.
The show captures their evolving dynamics alongside the journeys of other students at the Aravalli Institute, each facing their own struggles with friendship, love, mental health, and identity. As the characters grow, they encounter betrayal, heartbreak, and personal breakthroughs, all set against the backdrop of modern college life.
The series stars Prajakta Koli as Dimple and Rohit Saraf as Rishi, with a strong supporting cast. Season 1 premiered in 2020, followed by Season 2 in 2022, continuing the story with more emotional depth and relationship drama. The series blends humor, romance, and real-life issues, making it relatable for a younger audience.
Mismatched – TV Series – Season 1 – Summary
In Mismatched Season 1, Dimple Ahuja, a driven young woman passionate about technology, joins a summer coding program at the Aravalli Institute. She wants to escape her traditional upbringing and focus on building her career.
At the same time, Rishi Singh Shekhawat, a romantic who believes in old-school arranged marriages, joins the same program after seeing Dimple’s profile through his parents and believing she could be his future wife. Their first meeting turns awkward and tense when Dimple throws coffee on Rishi after realizing she was being set up.
Despite their rocky start, Dimple and Rishi are paired up for a project to create a groundbreaking app. As they work together, they slowly develop a connection, though Dimple continues to struggle with her desire for independence while Rishi remains hopeful about love. Around them, a group of diverse classmates—including Harsh, Celina, Namrata, and Anmol—deal with their own personal challenges, from disability and hidden identities to friendship conflicts and romantic confusion.
As the season progresses, Dimple’s app idea gains traction, but her growing ambition causes friction in her relationships. Tensions rise when secrets are revealed, including a betrayal involving Celina, and a leaked video that threatens Dimple’s reputation. The season ends with several relationships fractured and the future uncertain, setting up emotional stakes for the next chapter.
Mismatched – TV Series – Season 1 – Trailer
Mismatched – TV Series – Season 2 – Summary
In Mismatched Season 2, the story picks up after the chaos of the previous season, with Dimple and Rishi navigating the aftermath of their fallout. Dimple is focused on her app and her future, while Rishi is dealing with heartbreak and confusion about his place in her life. Their relationship remains tense and unresolved as both try to move on while still being drawn to each other. Dimple gets closer to Harsh, her app partner, which further complicates her bond with Rishi.
Meanwhile, other characters also go through major personal growth. Namrata explores her sexuality more openly but faces challenges in her relationship with Ayesha, including trust issues and external pressure. Anmol struggles with his anger and attempts to become a better version of himself, attending therapy and trying to connect with people beyond his aggressive persona. Celina tries to rebuild her life after the falling out with Dimple, while Simran starts finding her own voice and confidence.
The competition around the app development intensifies, leading to conflicts, revelations, and betrayals. Dimple’s ambition puts her at odds with others, especially when her leadership style becomes controlling. Relationships are tested, some break while others deepen. The season ends with mixed outcomes—some characters find clarity and closure, while others are left facing uncertain futures. The emotional stakes are higher, the friendships more strained, and the romantic entanglements messier, reflecting the complexity of young adult life and identity.
Mismatched – TV Series – Season 2 – Trailer
Mismatched – TV Series – Season 3 – Summary
In Mismatched Season 3, the story takes a time jump, shifting from the Aravalli Institute in Jaipur to the tech-driven city of Hyderabad. Dimple Ahuja and Rishi Singh Shekhawat are now dealing with the challenges of a long-distance relationship, while focusing on their careers. Rishi has joined the prestigious Nandini Nahata Institute of Technology (NNIT), where he gets involved with “Betterverse,” a virtual reality platform aimed at creating immersive digital worlds. Dimple, still determined to succeed in the tech world, enrolls in a new institution and continues pursuing her passion for app development.
The central theme of this season revolves around the emergence of Betterverse and how the virtual world impacts personal relationships and identities. The characters face the struggle of balancing their real lives with their virtual personas, prompting deeper questions about authenticity, self-expression, and the influence of technology on their connections with each other.
The supporting characters also undergo significant growth. Anmol, now in a relationship with Vinny, deals with themes of redemption and maturity. Celina continues her journey of self-discovery, while Krish navigates his evolving role within the group. A new character, Rith, a queer hacker, adds an important dimension to the story as they try to find their true identity within the digital world, highlighting the show’s exploration of LGBTQIA+ themes.
While Season 3 introduces fresh concepts and attempts to address relevant issues about technology and relationships, it doesn’t fully develop some of its storylines. The digital identity and virtual reality elements, though timely, feel underexplored, and some character arcs seem less impactful compared to earlier seasons. Nonetheless, the season still offers an interesting perspective on how young adults are grappling with love, identity, and ambition in the digital age.