The tension between practicality and passion is a major theme in When Dimple Met Rishi. Dimple is a passionate coder, and although Rishi is passionate about comics, he initially has chosen to attend MIT to pursue a more practical engineering degree. At the novel’s outset, it seems as though Rishi represents practicality and Dimple represents passion, though these simplistic designations are made more complex throughout the course of the book.

When Rishi’s parents tell him about the arranged marriage to Dimple, Rishi notes that he values compatibility and stability, saying that he doesn’t want “a million dramatic, heart-stoppingly romantic moments” but rather “one long, sustainable partnership” (17). However, when Rishi courts Dimple, he orchestrates the very “heart-stoppingly romantic moments” he claims he doesn’t want: He organizes a romantic dinner at Two Sisters Bar and Books and gives Dimple a meaningful edition of A Wrinkle in Time.

In contrast, Dimple strongly pursues her passion for web development, in spite of her mother’s disapproval. Dimple’s mother wants her to be practical and focus on finding a husband, but by American standards Dimple is immensely practical. At the relatively young age of 18, she wants to attend Insomnia Con to better position herself in her chosen career path.