The Married Woman

The Married Woman
Genre
  • Drama & Romance
Written byJaya Misra
Aparna Nadig
Surabhi Saral Sachdev
Directed bySahir Raza
Starring
Country of originIndia
Original languageHindi
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
ProducerSamar Khan
Production locationIndia
CinematographyJohn Wilmor
Production companyJuggernaut Productions
Original release
NetworkALTBalaji & ZEE5
Release8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)

The Married Woman is an Indian Hindi-language, romantic drama web series featuring Riddhi Dogra, Monica Dogra, Suhaas Ahuja, and Imaad Shah.[1] Directed by Sahir Raza and produced by Juggernaut Productions, this web series is currently streaming on ALTBalaji and ZEE5.[2] The trailer was released at a launch event in Mumbai on 13 February 2021. It is based on Manju Kapur's book, A Married Woman.[3]

Synopsis

It is a story of two women, Aastha and Peeplika, set in the backdrop of the 90s, where Aastha is a dutiful housewife and a mother. Peeplika is an unconventional artist and has never been impressed by normal routines in her life.[4] Aastha sets out on a journey of self-discovery and meets Peeplika on the route. Aastha sets herself free from the society pressures and boundaries when she finds an intense connection with Peeplika, something that she always longed for. All this happens amidst the riots after Babri Masjid demolition horrified the nation.[5]

Cast

Episode List

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Blurred Lines"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral, Aparna Nadig8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Astha and Aijaz belong to a different background yet, however, they end up working together on a play. They both start growing fond of each other. But an unfortunate event happens at the theatre to threaten Aijaz.
22"Line ke Uss Paar"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral, Aparna Nadig8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Aijaz gifts a book of poems to Astha while she starts falling for him. On the other hand, Aijaz only likes her as a friend. Astha's family is worried and does not want her to attend the play due to ongoing riots. She still decides to go and after the play she congratulates Aijaz. She also confesses her love for him.
33"Kya khoya, kya paaya"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral, Aparna Nadig8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Astha and Hemant are hosting a party. Timsi wishes to speak to Astha about an urgent matter. Later, Timsi elopes with Mudassar and Peeplika helps the two lovers get married against their family's wishes. Astha arrives at the art gallery and meets Peeplika.
44"Mulaqat khud se"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral, Aparna Nadig8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Timsi and Mudassar show up at her parents' house, unexpectedly. Hemant is angry and calls up Mudassar's parents to speak about the situation. Astha calls Peeplika to help resolve the matter between the families. Later, everyone accepts the marriage and Astha consoles Peeplika.
55"Sahi Galat ke Beech"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Astha is confused about how she feels for Peeplika. When Peeplika arrives at Astha's home for Timsi and Mudassar's wedding, she confronts Astha about her feelings. Astha denies, but Peeplika encourages her to embrace her true self.
66"Dil-e-nadaan, Tujhe hua kya hai?"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Babbo becomes sceptical about Astha and Peeplika's relationship and confides in Hemant. Peeplika shares some of her bitter-sweet memories with Astha. When Babbo takes Astha for shopping, she makes an excuse to meet Peeplika's Mom.
77"Ishq aur Mushq"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
The ongoing riots have made the government to put the city under curfew. Astha still manages to meet Peeplika who invites her to a relief camp. Hemant realizes that Astha has been lying to him about her plans till now.
88"Half Full/ Half Empty"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Hemant suspects Astha of cheating and is unhappy about her sudden disappearance. Astha tries to put her side upon her return. Peeplika wants Astha to meet her friends. After this, Astha goes for meeting Mudassar but things go south when the riots break out again.
99"The Wedding Anniversary"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Astha's mother visits Hemant's place to celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary. Babbo taunts Sunita over Astha's actions. Peeplika shows up at the celebration, when Babbo catches Astha and Peeplika getting intimate with each other.
1010"New Horizons"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Babbo informs Hemant about the intimacy between Astha and Peeplika. Peeplika gets a new job in Paris and she wants to take Astha with her. Hemant confronts Astha and after a heated argument with him, Astha decides to move to Paris.
1111"Crossroads"Sahir RazaJaya Misra, Surabhi Saral8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
Astha starts training her kids to be self-dependent as she prepares to begin a new life with Peeplika. Later, she learns about Peeplika's past and confronts her before taking her final decision.

Reception

Sweta Kaushal from Hindustan Times feels the show is a stereotypical act. It is all about politics and religion and the one which is heard mostly. She simply summarizes the review in the title: "Melodrama and Monologue kills the charm". Actors Riddhi and Monika Dogra have tried their best to act in spite of limited scope.[10]

Archika Khurana of The Times of India feels it is "A millieu of good performances challenging societal norms." The critics rating on TOI is 3/5 and average user rating goes to 3.5/5. The review ends with a solid line that says, "'The Married Woman' takes too long to make its point heard but it is the performances that hold your attention throughout".[11]

Shubham Kulkarni from koimoi.com says, "Ridhi Dogra's Performance Is The Only Hook In A Show That Talks About Homosexuality In The Daily Soap Way". He concludes the review saying, "The Married Woman ends up being yet another soap opera made with some gen Z elements for the digital arena". Rating: 2.5 stars.[12]

References

  1. ^ "A Married Woman: Ridhi Dogra and Monica Dogra unite for Ekta Kapoor's same sex love story". 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  2. ^ Shweta Keshri (14 February 2021). "The Married Woman trailer out. Ridhi Dogra, Monica Dogra are en route to self-discovery". India Today. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  3. ^ "The Married Woman trailer out. Ridhi Dogra, Monica Dogra are en route to self-discovery". 14 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  4. ^ "AltBalaji And Zee5 To Release A New Show Titled 'A Married Woman'". 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  5. ^ "ALTBalaji's A Married Woman: A story of two souls who rose beyond 'sexual and societal boundaries'". 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Ridhi Dogra and Monica Dogra to essay a lesbian couple in ALTBalaji show A Married Woman". 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  7. ^ "A Married Woman: Ridhi Dogra and Monica Dogra play a couple". 16 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  8. ^ "The Married Woman: From Ridhi Dogra to Monica Dogra, cast of web series revealed in a novel manner". 10 February 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Nabeel Ahmed bags ALTBalaji's A Married Woman". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  10. ^ "The Married Woman review: Melodrama and monologues kill the charm". Hindustan Times. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  11. ^ "The Married Woman Season 1 Review: A milieu of good performances challenging societal norms", The Times of India, retrieved 18 March 2021
  12. ^ "The Married Woman Review: Ridhi Dogra's Performance Is The Only Hook In A Show That Talks About Homose*uality In The Daily Soap Way". Koimoi. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.