Ask Onix
Web series confronts marital rape in India
A new Hindi-language web series titled Chiraiya has ignited national conversations about marital rape, a topic long considered taboo in India. Released on JioHotstar in March, the show has rapidly become one of the platform's most-watched Hindi productions in recent months, drawing millions of viewers.
Plot and characters
The series follows two women from starkly different backgrounds. Kamlesh, portrayed by Divya Dutta, is a middle-aged homemaker who believes a woman's role is confined to domestic duties. Pooja, played by Prasanna Bish, is an educated, socially aware woman who advocates for gender equality.
Their lives intersect when Pooja marries Arun, Kamlesh's brother-in-law, whom she helped raise. Despite initial hopes for a happy marriage, Pooja's dreams are shattered when Arun rapes her on their wedding night. When she confronts him, he dismisses her claims, stating, "I've just taken what's mine," and pointing out that marital rape is not a crime under Indian law.
Social and legal context
India remains one of approximately three dozen countries-including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia-where marital rape is not criminalized. Government data indicates that 6.1% of married Indian women have experienced sexual violence. Despite years of activism, efforts to amend the colonial-era law, which exempts husbands from prosecution for raping their wives if the woman is not a minor, have faced opposition from the government, religious groups, and men's rights activists.
Last year, public outrage erupted when a man convicted of raping his wife-who died hours after the assault-was acquitted on appeal. The judge cited the lack of legal recognition for marital rape as justification.
Creators' perspective
Divy Nidhi Sharma, the show's writer, adapted Chiraiya from a Bengali series called Sampoorna, reimagining it for northern India's more patriarchal culture. "The protagonist of Sampoorna is a feminist," Sharma explains. "Our protagonist, Kamlesh, doesn't even know the meaning of misogyny. She's so deeply conditioned by patriarchy that her moral compass is distorted. But by the end, she rises to challenge what's wrong."
Director Shashant Shah emphasizes that the series aims to provoke societal reflection rather than criticize laws. "We wanted to ask society: how do you view this issue? Pooja's story is fictional, but it reflects the reality for millions of women. With Kamlesh's character, we wanted to tell a story of sisterhood."
"This injustice happens within our homes, in our neighborhoods. What's most troubling is the lack of legal or social recourse. As a writer, I felt compelled to address it."
Divy Nidhi Sharma, scriptwriter
Public reaction
The series has received widespread acclaim, with viewers praising its bold portrayal of consent and misogyny. Dutta describes the response as "overwhelming," sharing that she has received messages from veteran actors, personal notes, and even gifts like a sari and a handwritten poem. "It stirred something in everyone," she says.
However, the show has also faced backlash. Some critics have labeled it "anti-men" or an attempt to undermine marriage. Sharma notes that a segment of men has reacted negatively, claiming the series portrays them unfairly. "Our goal was to start a conversation," he says. "Artists can't change laws or society overnight, but we can use art to bring taboo topics into the mainstream."
Dutta focuses on the positive feedback, choosing to ignore the criticism. "I'd rather not dwell on the 1% of negativity and focus on the 99% who are showing love and gratitude. Let's concentrate on the thank-yous."
Impact and hope for change
Dutta believes stories like Chiraiya have the power to drive change. "This show highlights where we're going wrong. Instead of waiting for others to act, it urges us to start at home. That's a small but powerful step."
Shah adds that the series deliberately avoids portraying men as one-dimensional villains. "They're not monsters-they're ordinary people we encounter daily. Patriarchy is so ingrained that many don't even realize they're being misogynistic."
