Indian OTT platforms are often dominated by complex and dark stories, but Divya Dutta starrer Chiraiya tackles a very serious issue with its simplicity and nostalgia for 2010 TV serials. Written by Divya Nidhi Sharma, the series is an adaptation of the Bengali show Sampooran, which reveals the bitter truth hidden within the walls of a traditional Indian home.
Story: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Perfect Family’
The story of the serial revolves around Kamlesh (Divya Dutta), who is diligently playing the role of an ideal daughter-in-law, wife and mother. Everything seems normal in the house, until the darling son Arun (Siddharth Shaw) gets married to Pooja (Prasanna Bisht). The story takes a twist when Arun forces his wife Pooja on the first night itself.
At first Kamlesh, unaware of the word ‘consent’, does not believe his daughter-in-law and slaps her. But, slowly as she comes in contact with the outside world and experts, she comes to understand the horrible reality of ‘marital rape’. From here begins Kamlesh’s struggle against his upbringing and inner patriarchy.
Parenting and the attack on ‘toxic masculinity’
Author Divya Nidhi Sharma has shown in great detail how a mother unwittingly instills a sense of superiority in her son. Through short flashbacks, events from Arun’s childhood are shown, where he was taught that he was special. While these scenes may seem a bit straightforward and crude in filming, they help to understand the roots of ‘toxic masculinity’.
Perfect acting by Divya Dutta and Sanjay Mishra
Divya Dutta has given life to the character of Kamlesh. Her command of the local dialect and her facial expressions present the image of an innocent yet determined woman. Also, Sanjay Mishra’s performance as the head of the house is brief but effective. The scenes when Kamlesh challenges their hypocrisy are truly thought-provoking.
Another interesting aspect of this series is the character of Kamlesh’s husband. He is not a ‘hero’, but a man who does not have the courage to speak in front of his father, but is with women in his heart. One of his dialogues is famous: “I can’t be a hero, but I can be a hero’s husband.”
Dialogue and influence: The “kitchen cat” revolution
The dialogues of the series reinforce its themes. Kamlesh’s realization that revolution is not always noisy is beautifully expressed: “Revolution comes not like a lion in the forest, but like a cat in the kitchen.”
Where was the gap left?
Although the series is strong in its theme, it is a bit weak in its portrayal of Pooja (daughter-in-law). Pooja is shown as a conscientious young woman who even attends the ‘Pride Parade’, but her helplessness after marriage seems a bit antagonistic and dramatic. Also, the making of the show feels a little weak (clunky) at some points, which lessens its impact a bit.
Conclusion: A necessary ‘course correction’
‘Chiraiya’ is a scathing attack on the lack of criminalization of marital rape in India and the limitations of the law. Despite the technical flaws, the show exposes the patriarchy entrenched in our drawing rooms and kitchens. Available on Jio-Hotstar, this series is a must-watch as it inspires women who are ‘silent’ indoors to find their voice.