While it may have been criticised for giving us significantly less sex scenes this season, Bridgerton has still been making headlines all over the world. Despite its decision to turn down the raunch level, the Regency-period drama has still been serving nonstop drama, enviable fashion looks, and of course, as is customary, a forbidden love story.
Last season was all about the Duke Of Hastings while this season focuses on Viscount Anthony Bridgerton as he searches for a wife. As we know, he finds not one, but two potential love interests in the Sharma sisters, Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina (Charithra Chandran). Having travelled to London from India, the girls are as thick as thieves (until a man gets in the way, that is).
If you’ve been listening to the way Kate and Edwina talk to one another, you might have noticed their affection use of nicknames. Edwina (the younger sister) often refers to Kate as Didi, while Kate refers to Edwina as Bon. Wondering what these names mean exactly? Read on as we break it down.
In an interview for Shondaland (the production company behind the show), Charithra Chandran explained the meaning behind the nicknames, and honestly, it’s far more straightforward than we thought.
“Didi just means “older sister” in Hindi,” the actress said. “Bon, I have no idea. I think it’s made up. I think maybe they meant it like French for ‘sweet’?”
Several outlets have reported that Bon means ‘little sister’ in Hindi, with both names serving as a sign of respect between siblings.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the actress spoke further about the sacred, sisterly bond between Edwina and Kate and how important it was to the overall development of the show.
“The show is about all the different types of love that you have,” she told the outlet. “For Edwina and Kate, although it is a love story, they are each other’s soulmates. We often focus on romance being the centre of our lives, but in most cases it’s not. That relationship shows that — no matter what happens, these two will always choose each other.”
In the same interview with Shondaland, Chandran praised the show’s incorporation of Indian culture and traditions, despite it being firmly rooted in British culture.
“I think it’s important to remember the specific mindset that the Sharmas have, which is that they’re immigrants — they are from a different culture and background from the rest of the ton, but they are very familiar with the ton,” the actress explained. “Their mum is English, and she’s taught them everything that she knows. Edwina in particular, it’s almost like she’s been training for the Olympics — she’s been breathing, eating, sleeping the ton and its customs. I love that the sisters hark back to their Indian culture in moments of jubilation and in moments of distress — in moments where they seek comfort or they want to rejoice is when you see them embracing the Indian elements.”
She also explained the pre-wedding ritual known as Haldi, which incorporates turmeric to protect and ward off evil spirits.
“It’s a very common, popular tradition. My sister-in-law had a Haldi. It’s a staple part of Indian or Hindu weddings,” she revealed.
While this season undoubtedly sees their bond tested, the Sharma sisters remain tightknit in the face of adversity, proving that platonic love might just be the best kind after all.
Bridgerton Season Two is available to stream on Netflix now.
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