Chiraiya

Archika Khurana of The Times of India gave 3.5 stars and wrote "At its core, the series tackles the sensitive and rarely explored subject of marital rape, challenging the deeply ingrained belief that marriage implies automatic consent. But rather than turning into a loud, didactic social commentary, Chiraiya chooses a more introspective route. It does not point fingers; it holds up a mirror."^[4]

Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave 3.5 stars and worded "The series adopts a degree of melodrama which belongs more to the Ekta Kapoor brand of kitchen-sink saas-bahu serials than a modern series that challenges patriarchy through personal choices which are held up for what they are."^[6]

Shreyas Pande of The Hindu reviewed the series and highlighted "Through its accessible storytelling, the show offers a sharp portrayal of patriarchy and its impact on families, even though the presentation lacks finesse, making it clunky in some portions."^[7]

Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India writes that "Not the gender empowerment story we deserve" and describe it as "A liberal mind undone by a conservative body".^[8]

Vinamra Mathur of Firstpost rated it 3.5 stars and said that "In most of the Hindi movies that we have seen, the wedding room represents intimacy, to celebrate what we call Suhaagrat. In Chiraiya, it’s depicted as a room for horror and loneliness. And it has been done well."^[9]

Udita Jhunjhunwala writing for Scroll.in observed that "Chiraiya is saying something that matters, but it leans so heavily on its message that it begins to feel less like a story and more like a lesson."^[10]

Sana Farzeen of India Today gave 3.5 stars and writes that "It does not claim to have all the answers. Instead, it leaves you with questions – difficult, uncomfortable, necessary questions. Because sometimes, the first step towards change is not action, but acknowledgement. And in a society that still struggles to even name the problem, that in itself is a powerful beginning."^[11]

BH Harsh of Cinema Express rated it 3.5 stars and said that "Chiraiya tells us to be cautious of those animals who thrive in broad society under the endearing allure of poetry."^[12]

Arpita Sarkar of OTT Play gave 3 stars out of 5 and said that "Chiraiya is a socially important series that highlights issues such as marital abuse, consent, and patriarchal norms."^[13]

• Chiraiya at IMDb