It took Mithila Gupta four years to complete her latest television series, Four Years Later—a fitting reflection of how much life can change in that time. Here’s why.
Gupta conceived the idea in 2021. It took three years to develop and refine the concept, and this year, she finally brought it to life.
Four Years Later is an eight-part series set to air on SBS on 2 October. Weaving together themes of love, identity, and cultural clash, it follows the journey of Sridevi (Shahana Goswami) and Yash (Akshay Ajit Singh) through their arranged marriage, told from both perspectives across two timelines. Their relationship breaks traditional moulds and is set against the backdrop of Jaipur, Mumbai, and Sydney.
For Jaipur-born Gupta, who moved to Australia at the age of four, straddling two cultures—India and Australia—has deeply influenced her storytelling approach.
It is also the first time, says Gupta, that she has been able to capture the duality of her own identity in Four Years Later.
“I speak fluent Hindi and stay closely connected to my culture. My connection to my culture comes from my parents and from watching Hindi cinema. However, moving to Australia at a young age meant I also grew up here as an Australian,” Gupta explains in a Zoom interview with The Indian Sun.
Through the love story, Gupta presents two perspectives on what happens when someone moves overseas. “For some, this transition leads to thriving, while for others, it does not,” she notes.
The biggest inspiration for her, apart from her own cultural clash and identity crisis, is her parents. She has witnessed them building a life for her in Australia, experiencing a range of hardships and successes, with each day bringing something different.
“I think that is what informs my storytelling more than anything.”
The series’ takeaway is that love is a powerful and beautiful force, and we are fortunate to experience it, says Gupta. “However, it’s equally important to understand what you want and have the strength, confidence, and support to pursue your own path. This is especially vital for women, who should not let their lives be solely defined by their partners.”
Four Years Later is just the beginning of Gupta’s bold exploration into the power of cross-cultural narratives.
“It has been challenging because there aren’t many successful examples for us to look to. But I hope we can be the next generation of storytellers. The future of storytelling lies in cross-cultural narratives because that reflects our reality. We don’t live in a monoculture, yet Australian television has largely operated within a single world.
“I’m thrilled that, despite the challenges, we managed to stay true to our vision without compromising on many fronts. If we can achieve this now, just imagine what we could accomplish in a few years. I truly hope this paves the way for others.
“Many people I know, including myself, have often felt unseen and unheard in TV series. Our stories, struggles, and triumphs are significant, and our voices matter,” she adds.
For the first time, viewers will experience Hinglish—a blend of Hindi and English dialogue—which adds a relatable touch. “It wasn’t easy to pitch, but with the right support, we made it happen. Now, we’re excited to share it with the audience.”
While the South Asian diaspora worldwide may relate to the story, Gupta hopes viewers will primarily see reflections of themselves in the characters.
By her own telling, Gupta entered storytelling knowing she wanted to share Brown stories. She began her career in 2010 in the story room at Neighbours, where she introduced an Indian family to the regular cast of Ramsay Street. She went on to script edit and write for the show.
Gupta also contributed to Bump (Stan) and both seasons of Five Bedrooms (Ten, Peacock & BBC One). She served as Head Writer for Aquarius Films’ The Unlisted (ABC & Netflix), where she penned several episodes, including the pilot. Both series highlight Indian leads and celebrate family and cultural themes.
“It has been a beautiful and challenging journey,” she reflects.
“My very first job taught me that by holding strong to my values and surrounding myself with supportive people, we can make a real difference. That’s why, with Four Years Later, I wanted all the writers to be from similar backgrounds.”
The challenge was not just writing a story for herself but doing so in an authentic way that resonates with everyone, regardless of their background. Achieving that level of storytelling and confidence was the greatest hurdle, but it’s one that Gupta has embraced and overcome.
“I know this is just the beginning, but it’s a step towards making things less difficult,” says Gupta.
(SBS Original romantic drama series Four Years Later premieres Wednesday, 2 October)
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🎬❤️ Mithila Gupta's 'Four Years Later' explores love, identity, & cultural clash in an arranged marriage. Premiering on @SBS, 2 October, this series promises a powerful narrative. Read the full article & share your thoughts! ✨🌏🇮🇳 #TheIndianSun
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