A new web series that confronts marital rape in India has put the spotlight on this grim topic in a country that has stubbornly refused to criminalize it.
'Chiraiya' - the Hindi word for small birds - aired on JioHotstar in March. It has already drawn an audience of millions, making it one of the network's most popular Hindi shows in months.
Praised by media critics for tackling a subject that is largely seen as taboo, it has sparked conversations on social media about consent and misogyny. At the same time, some commentators have described it as anti-men and an attempt to undermine the sanctity of marriage.
Divy Nidhi Sharma, the show's scriptwriter, says the series follows two women, Kamlesh and Pooja. Kamlesh, played by Divya Dutta, is a middle-aged homemaker who firmly believes that women should be interested in cooking and housework. Pooja, played by Prasanna Bish, is educated, socially conscious and talks about gender equality and dignity.
Their worlds collide when Pooja marries Arun – Kamlesh's brother-in-law that she reared as her own son. He is seen as the perfect match for Pooja, but her dreams of a happily ever after are shattered when he rapes her on their wedding night.
When she confronts him, Arun tells her he has just taken what's mine. Why do you keep repeating that I raped you? he says, adding that marital rape is not a crime in India and there is no law to deal with it.
Dutta states that the show is fundamentally about consent, specifically in a marriage, which is considered a very, very special bond. Moreover, the series paints a picture of how deep-rooted societal norms can impact a woman's perception of security and choice within marriage.
According to government data, 6.1% of ever-married women experience sexual violence in India. Despite years of campaigning by activists, marital rape remains legal in the country, prompting outrage over cases where perpetrators are repeatedly excused under colonial-era laws.
Sharma emphasizes how relevant the topic is, noting that there are no legal or social recourses for justice after such actions occur. Through intimate storytelling, 'Chiraiya' aims to spark a conversation within society about these injustices.
Notably, the series shows that the male characters are not portrayed as outright villains but as representations of a patriarchal system that many adhere to without realizing its implications. Director Shashant Shah highlights that the intention behind 'Chiraiya' was to challenge viewers internally rather than directly question legal systems.
As viewers engage with Pooja's harrowing journey and Kamlesh's eventual awakening to support her, the series underlines a call for societal change and the recognition of women's rights in marriage.
Dutta reflects on the response the show received, mentioning the overwhelming support, but also admits to backlash from sections of society uncomfortable with the reflections of their systemic biases. 'Chiraiya' not only entertains but demands that audiences grapple with uncomfortable truths, using art to bring a critical conversation into the mainstream.
