What happens when a modern, forward-thinking and progressive family speaks the language of equality and empowerment but continues to practice patriarchy behind closed doors? Chiraiya, a social drama on JioHotstar explores exactly this.
The show tells the story of a newly married bride, Pooja, who becomes a victim of marital rape. The core issue revolves particularly around consent Consent within marriage. While the story explores the complicated intersection between marriage, consent, sexual violence and women’s agency, it also reflects the story of many Indian women who experience this reality but have few opportunities to make their voices heard.
The world of Chiraiya
The story follows the lives of Kamlesh and Pooja, the daughters-in-law of a traditional Indian household. Kamlesh (Divya Dutta) is a devoted housewife and an “ideal” daughter-in-law who has built her identity around her household. She firmly believes that her family can do no wrong and accepts everything they say unconditionally. This reflects how much she has internalized the patriarchy. On the contrary, Pooja (Prasanna Bisht), the younger daughter-in-law, is aware of her autonomy and tries to exercise it. The clash of Kamlesh and Pooja’s words and the subsequent events form the world of Chiraiya.
Kamlesh (Divya Dutta), Pooja (Prasanna Bisht) and their family in a scene from Chiraiya. Image source: SVF Entertainment
Her father-in-law (Sanjay Mishra) is the patriarch of the house and an educated, respected and influential man. He is often seen encouraging Kamlesh to read newspapers and participate in intellectual conversations. In his poems and by quoting religious scriptures, he even talks about empowering women. Arun (Siddharth Shaw) is the younger son of the house and Pooja’s husband. Kamlesh raised Arun and it is seen that he is very attached to him. On the surface, the family appears progressive; But as the story progresses, her patriarchal mindset soon comes to light when Arun rapes Pooja on her wedding night and during her honeymoon.
Arun (Siddharth Shaw) and Pooja (Prasanna Bisht) in a scene from Chiraiya. Image source: SVF Entertainment
When the family finds out about this, they choose ignorance over responsibility. What makes this moment disturbing is not just the violence, but also the collective denial and refusal to acknowledge that a crime has been committed. The same educated, modern and seemingly progressive family refuses to acknowledge that Arun raped his wife or that a husband can even rape his wife.
Arun is not held accountable; Instead, Pooja is expected to remain silent. This reflects a larger societal reality in which women are expected to protect the institution of marriage even if they are victims of violence in their marriage.
When saying “no” is unimaginable
Chiraiya gives us a clear insight into Kamlesh’s conservative mindset. In one instance, she questions Pooja for reading the front page of the newspaper and being vocal about her politics. In another scene, she forcibly takes away Pooja’s engagement ring after seeing her taking part in a queer protest. These scenes raise important questions about how patriarchy is maintained through social conditioning. Kamlesh’s attempts to control Pooja’s behavior show how we view what makes a “good woman” and how this idea of the “good” or “ideal” woman continues to shape our social reality.
When Pooja exposes Arun as a rapist, Kamlesh refuses to believe her and immediately sides with Arun. Pooja struggles to explain the idea of consent to marriage to Kamlesh and even to her own parents. This tension is evident in the following conversation: Kamelsh asks Pooja, “Tum patni dharam ka matlab janti ho (Do you understand what a woman’s duties entail)?” To which Pooja replies, “Aap consent ka matlab janti hai (Do you understand what consent means)?”
Kamlesh (Divya Dutta) and Pooja (Prasanna Bisht) in a scene from Chiraiya. Image source: SVF Entertainment
This exchange depicts a conflict between strikingly contrasting worldviews, one rooted in traditional expectations of fulfilling wifely duties and the other speaking the language of agency in an institution that has historically and continues to deny women their rights and dignity.
This conflict becomes clearer when Kamlesh asks a counselor whether a woman’s “no” means anything. This question not only reflects Kamlesh’s self-doubt, but also sheds light on the larger social reality in which refusing sex in marriage is viewed as unimaginable. These scenes are particularly frustrating to watch, not because Kamlesh seems unreasonable, but because her character seems so familiar.
As a viewer, one cannot help but see this worldview in the people around him and the Kamleshs of the real world.
As a viewer, one cannot help but see this worldview in the people around him and the Kamleshs of the real world. This moment shows how difficult it is for society to understand the idea of consent and how deeply rooted patriarchy is in the institution of marriage that we refuse to even acknowledge violence for what it really is.
When women begin to unlearn the patriarchy
The title of the show is highly symbolic. Chiraiya means bird and represents the freedom associated with birds; However, this also reflects the fact that birds are often kept in cages. Chiraiya also reminds us that as long as a woman stays within her socially defined boundaries, she is accepted and celebrated. But once she begins to exercise her agency, she is viewed as a threat to her family, even in progressive circles.
On the surface, the show’s story focuses on women exercising their agency and challenging the patriarchy. However, Chiraiya also explores something deeper and far more insightful. The narrative reveals a broader social reality – how educated, modern and urban India struggles to understand and confront patriarchy. It challenges the widespread assumption that education automatically advances people in their beliefs and values. As the story progresses, it is the less educated Kamlesh who questions her beliefs and challenges her assumptions to confront uncomfortable truths.
Pooja (Prasanna Bisht) and Kamlesh (Divya Dutta) in a scene from Chiraiya. Image source: SVF Entertainment
This transformation of Kamlesh’s character is a significant arc in the series. She stands up for what is right and fights against the patriarch of the house, her father-in-law, even if it endangers her position in the household and her material security. Several conversations between Kamlesh and her father-in-law show how patriarchy is maintained through social conditioning; However, the show goes one step further and shows how the patriarchy can be smashed by its followers. The character of Kamlesh shows that progressiveness goes beyond education or status; it’s about showing courage against injustice.
What works in Chiraiya
Chiraiya makes clear how patriarchy operates in households that appear progressive and preach equality. The way Kamlesh’s character is written, her transformative journey from the ideal bahu to a woman who challenges the patriarchy is important to the series. It quietly asks the viewer uncomfortable questions: What does it actually take to stand up for your values? Is education enough to assert progressiveness? And how do you stand up for what is fair despite your conditioning?
The show succeeds in opening a conversation about marriage, consent and silence that we as a society have long avoided.
While Chiraiya gives us some hope, it still feels unrealistic. The solutions in the world of Chiraiya are idealized outcomes that cannot be easily implemented in the real world. However, the show succeeds in opening a conversation about marriage, consent, and silence that we as a society have long avoided.
Beyond the world of Chiraiya and into reality
Chiraiya could be a fictional story; However, the issue it raises reflects a reality that many women experience. In the final episode, a striking moment with the grandmother breaks the family’s silence. Her character is quiet most of the time, but she breaks her silence to encourage Pooja and Kamlesh to raise their voices. This also violates the code of enforced silence that protects the family’s honor, pride, tradition and status.
As Pooja tells her story in the final episode, viewers are asked to pause and think about the place of women in marriage, society and patriarchy. In the end, Chiraiya offers a solution. However, the real world is far more disappointing. Marital rape is not criminalized in India. This is what India is all about one of 36 countries where spousal rape is not considered a crime. The current legal framework assumes that a wife permanently consents to sex after marriage.
But in a society where rapists convicted of sexual violence are released and greeted with garlandsIs there hope for legal recognition of marital rape? When legally recognized forms of sexual violence carry few legal consequences, the possibility of justice for women who experience sexual violence within the institution of marriage remains remote.
Dimple has a keen interest in history, cinema and cultural studies, which piques her curiosity. With an exploratory approach to life, she enjoys having thoughtful conversations over a warm cup of tea.
