In the unpredictable world of Industry, financial liabilities always come due. This is particularly evident in the experience of Rishi, portrayed by Sagar Radia, whose gambling addiction culminates in a devastating climax during the finale of the show’s third season, titled "Infinite Largesse."
Rishi’s journey throughout the season sees him spiraling further into debt. The season finale delivers a shocking revelation: his bookie, Vinay, murders Rishi’s wife over an outstanding gambling debt of £600,000. This poignant twist exemplifies the intense narrative that has become synonymous with HBO’s Sunday-night programming. However, this storyline almost did not make it to air, as co-creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay revealed that HBO initially opposed it.
"There was a conversation about Rishi’s wife’s death, which HBO balked at," Kay noted.
Initially, Down and Kay planned a different resolution for Rishi. In episode four, "White Mischief," inspired by the film Uncut Gems, the true extent of Rishi’s gambling and risky lifestyle is unveiled. The original script had a more optimistic arc where Rishi is saved by a market recovery and his wife pays off his debts. However, a suggestion from HBO prompted the creators to explore the consequences of his actions further.
Down recalls the guidance from HBO: "They said, we have to show what happens to him." This led to the dilemma of depicting real repercussions for Rishi’s actions. Eventually, the idea that Rishi’s wife, Diana, would be the tragic casualty emerged, despite HBO’s reservations.
"At the script stage, HBO wanted to get rid of it," Kay confirmed. The creators convinced HBO to let them shoot the scene, after which HBO found the result compelling. The final aired version closely resembled the initial cut.
Additionally, earlier drafts contemplated Rishi being the one shot. However, the creators believed that having his wife bear the consequences would be more impactful and set up Rishi’s future journey in a resonating manner.
By the end of the episode, the stage is set for the next season, as HBO has since renewed Industry for a fourth installment. Audience reactions mirrored the intense emotions the creators aimed to evoke, with many responding quickly and passionately online.
"Industry is so good because they just keep moving forward," one viewer commented on social media, while another expressed experiencing "emotional whiplash" from the dramatic developments.
Down noted the significance of these events on Rishi’s character arc, emphasizing that, "Your wife being shot in front of you to settle the gambling debt is a seismic thing," setting the stage for a transformed Rishi in the upcoming season.
[Script from the platform Twitter.com]
