The Married Woman

 A Married Woman is based on Manju Kapoor's book with the same title. I haven't read the book but I can say with confidence that it is a very good one. I will definitely say that this is one of the best Indian web series I have watched so far. I rank it amongst the top series with Asur and Made in Heaven. Maybe because it is an adaptation of the book, the makers were able to write a series of such depth and meaning and execute it to perfection. The characters are mature and complete. The narrative is fierce, intense yet deeply emotional. 

There are two worlds in this story and the characters from both worlds sort of confront each other through the eight episodes. Two ideologies, traditions vs modernism, battling it out through characters that are fierce advocates of their respective ideologies makes the series compelling and engrossing. One looks forward to the interactions and sort of underlying debates that go on in superb articulate dialogues. In the backdrop of serious communal conflict and in a conservative India which still did not permit unconventional love, these various conflicts have been used to tell a love story that blossoms beautifully. On one side we have the Indian culture manual following family, as opposed to free-thinking characters who do not believe in any boundaries, some of them fall prey to religious fanaticism. And one person is stuck between the two worlds pulled by societal chains on one side and self-realizing freedom on the other. All of this is communicated not only through dialogue but every element including the costume and design. And they are interspersed with urdu shayari that give you goosebumps. This is one of those series in which some dialogues will always be remembered. 

"For the first time in my life, I experienced freedom. Wife, Teacher, Hindu, Muslim, Punjabi, these man-made identities, he removed all these and saw me for who I am. I saw myself in his eyes. Free. " 

"You opened your heart completely in the very first meet. Totally bare with all the cracks"

The concept of pansexuality in itself is a new idea even for people of alternate sexuality. For once, it was not so much about sexuality, but about love, bonding, and companionship. 

Riddhi Dogra has given a stupendous performance. She is controlled, courageous and brilliant in every scene. Monica looks effortless on the screen but I am not sure if the work was. She has a presence on the screen that fits the character of Peeplika like a glove. Exception yet natural storytelling makes this series a must-watch. Kudos to writers Jaya Misra, Surabhi Sarat, and Aparna Nadig. 

Rating : 4.25 / 5 

His Storyy

                              

The number of gay men married to women in India is huge. They did this to escape social bigotry. Homophobia in India, and all over the world, is so prevalent even today that most of the LGBTQ ++ community doesn't have a choice but to suppress and suffer in silence. Imagine if you couldn't date and be in relationships freely. You had to keep pretending that you are a different person than what you are. And all this so people don't hate you. They don't bully, target, and malign you as they please.  It's even difficult to imagine that. And while doing all this you get suffocated and snubbed by your own self asking you to be careful of what you say, how you say it, when you say it and to whom you speak to. And you continue this existence and get married to a woman to fulfill the world's expectations and one cannot begin to imagine that life after marriage. 

Indians live socially complex lives. Even in the so-called elite, well-educated, champagne-drinking, gourmet food, wealthy businessmen, and eclectic food critics, scenario our lives are complicated because we live them in our relationships. Homophobia, body shaming, bigotry, and misogyny see no class, pedigree, or education. They infect and decompose even the upper crust. 

This is the essence of "His Storyy" the new gay love story series on ALTBalaji. The series deals with the emotions of every character involved in the life of a gay man married to a woman, in a very evolved manner. It is complete in the sense that it has all the imaginable parts of an Indian gay story. The revelation of the catastrophe so to say and the emotional coping of every person connected to the gay protagonist is depicted superbly. 

This story has all the ingredients one can expect. We have the toxic masculinity, the misogyny, elite successful women, the closeted gay teenager and his fag hag, the married gay man, and his faithful loving wife. They all have been tossed in to make this spread of several course gourmet meals in an elitist restaurateur background with the gorgeous food critic. But somehow the food tastes undercooked. The toxicity is overwhelming.  The corporate-like formality in many scenes leaves a dry palate. It seems as if the chef had the right ingredients but hasn't done justice to them.

The characterization is jumpy and jerky, The storyline is full of cliches and completely detached. I am not sure if the audience will connect to the series as a whole. The gay couple seems very plastic and passionless. They seem to be trying very hard to appear masculine for a gay story.  Were the makers playing safe by choosing a high society set-up? Is it easier for the well-educated to accept alternate choices? Isn't the story of the gay married man too plain and linear? Doesn't it need more depth and intensity? These are a few questions I have for the writer and director. 

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Rating : 3 / 5