Image source, JioHotstar
In India, where marital rape has consistently been denied classification as a crime, a new web series has brought this grave issue back into the spotlight.
The web series titled ‘Chirainya’ was released in March on the ‘Jio-Hotstar’ streaming platform. ‘Chirainya’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘small birds’. To date, millions have viewed the series, making it one of the most popular web series on the network in recent months.
Critics have praised the series for tackling a typically taboo subject. It has sparked debates on social media around consent and misogynistic attitudes. However, some commentators have criticized it as “anti-male” and an attempt to “weaken the sanctity of the marital relationship.”
According to the series’ writer Divya Nidhi Sharma, the story revolves around two women, Kamlesh and Pooja.
Actress Divya Dutta plays Kamlesh, a middle-aged housewife who believes that women should be interested in cooking and household chores. Meanwhile, Prashanna portrays Pooja, an educated and socially aware young woman who advocates for gender equality and respect.
After Pooja marries Arun, the brother-in-law whom Kamlesh raised like her own son, their world turns chaotic. Arun was considered a perfect match for Pooja, but on the wedding night he rapes her, shattering her dreams of a happy married life.
When Pooja protests, Arun claims that he was “taking his right.”
“Why do you keep saying I raped you?” he asks, adding that in India marital rape is not considered a crime and there is no law to address it.
Image source, JioHotstar
According to actress Dutta, the central theme of this web series is “consent,” especially within marriage — a relationship many regard as highly special.
“Talking about marital rape is still very difficult. Many women who experience this think it is a personal ordeal, and fear that speaking out will bring social stigma and disrupt family life,” she said.
In the series, when the traumatized Pooja raises her voice against her husband Arun’s behavior, everyone including her mother advises her to endure silently, warning that speaking out will lead only to shame and dishonor.
Dutta explains that Kamlesh initially believes that sexual consent is automatic after marriage.
However, as the plot unfolds and she is forced to choose between her “comfort zone” and standing by a woman she doesn’t particularly like, her perspective begins to change.
“Ultimately, she chooses the right path,” Dutta says, becoming a trusted ally to Pooja.
Government statistics indicate that approximately 6.1% of married Indian women have experienced sexual violence. Yet, despite years of advocacy, India remains one of three dozen countries—including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia—where marital rape is not legally recognized as a crime.
Activists have filed several petitions in the Supreme Court demanding that marital rape be criminalized. However, the government, religious groups, and men’s rights activists have opposed any amendments to the colonial-era law, which under certain circumstances exempts husbands from prosecution for non-consensual sex with their wives above the age of minority.
Last year, nationwide outrage was sparked when a man convicted of raping his wife was released on appeal. The case involved alleged forced intercourse that resulted in the wife’s death within hours, but the judge cited the lack of legal recognition of marital rape in India as grounds for the husband’s release.
Writer Sharma states: “This injustice happens right inside our homes and neighborhoods.”
“What worries me most is that there is neither legal nor social redressal. As a writer, I felt compelled to do something about it.”
Image source, JioHotstar
Adapted from the Bengali program ‘Sampurna,’ ‘Chirainya’ was reimagined for North India, a comparatively more patriarchal region.
“The main character in ‘Sampurna’ is a feminist,” Sharma explains. “Our lead, Kamlesh, is a woman who doesn’t even know how to spell ‘misogyny.’ She is so deeply immersed in patriarchal thinking that her ability to discern right from wrong is distorted.”
“But in the end, she is willing to fight against injustice.”
Director Shah on Kamlesh: “We wanted to present a woman whom millions of women in India can relate to.”
“She is a woman who trusts the family system, but gradually you begin to see her transformation. As her world starts to collapse, she perceives it as false and like a drama where people inside the family are victims.”
He adds that ‘Chirainya’ wasn’t created to question the government or laws.
“We wanted to raise the question in society: how do you view this? Our aim was to raise awareness among people.”
Pooja’s story is fictional, but it reflects the reality of millions of women, he says, and the character Kamlesh represents the sisterly bond between the two women.
Although the narrative centers on female characters, director Shah emphasizes that men are not depicted as exaggerated villains.
“They are not monsters, just ordinary people from our daily lives. Patriarchy is so deeply rooted that most people are unaware they are perpetuating misogyny,” he says.
Image source, JioHotstar
Actress Dutta says the audience response to the web series has been “quite remarkable.”
“I have received messages, calls, and personal notes on Instagram and Twitter. Everyone is watching it. Prominent artists have been calling to thank me for the series. Some have sent gifts with heartfelt messages, others have shared their own poems. I feel it has genuinely touched everyone’s hearts.”
Some negative feedback has also emerged. Sharma said some viewers were “angered” and that some men’s groups claimed that the series presents men in an unfair manner.
“But our goal was only to start a conversation. We are artists — we cannot make laws, control crime, or rapidly change society. But we can use art to bring taboo topics into the mainstream,” she explains.
Dutta says she focuses on the positive feedback and ignores the rest. “I don’t want to read the 1% negativity and prefer to focus on the 99% who love it and are thankful. Let’s focus on gratitude.”
According to the actress, potent works like ‘Chirainya’ have the power to bring about change.
“It shows us where we might be making mistakes and, in my view, will make a difference in many ways. It emphasizes starting change at home rather than blaming others.”
“That is the first but a very strong step.”
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