Divya Dutta recently appeared in the web series Chiraiya, a powerful project that highlights an important yet often unspoken issue by exploring consent within marriage. In an interview with Zoom, she spoke about the importance of raising one’s voice against marital rape and encouraging open, necessary conversations today.
National Award-winning actress Divya Dutta’s latest show Chiraiya moves beyond a routine social drama, addressing a topic many have long ignored. Written and created by Divy Nidhi Sharma, the story examines entrenched patriarchy and the absence of consent within physical relationships between married partners. In a recent interview with Zoom, the actress discussed the need to raise awareness about marital r*pe. She emphasised that the issue remains poorly understood and inadequately defined within the existing legal framework, highlighting the urgency for clearer laws, broader public dialogue, and a more sensitive societal approach to consent and dignity in marriage today.
Divya Dutta Speaks Out on the importance of Opposing Marital R*pe
In a conversation, the actress explained that people often shift responsibility rather than questioning themselves. She wonders why we place the burden on others instead of starting with our own actions. She says this idea drives the show Chiraiya, which examines the influence of elders and neighbours. According to her, many men grow up believing certain behaviours are their right, and without anyone challenging those beliefs, meaningful change will never happen in society today across diverse communities.
Speaking about the reaction to the series, she said audiences have strongly connected with its intense themes and the emotional relationships between characters. She added that even the smallest acts of support in a relationship hold great value, such as a partner quietly standing beside you through difficult moments always.
Actress Divya Dutta said, ” A fact that they have actually given love to the relationship Kamlesh shares with her husband where he holds her hand and ki ‘woh bhi kitna zaroo ri hai.‘ He says I am with you and she says I am not talking about you he says I know but I also need to say that. Toh ghar main hi to make that chain to make that change and when your foundation moves, that is the most important thing for anyone. We don’t realise this. We go home, the ease of my home, the warmth of the home, when it moves – I think your perspective will definitely change.”
Divya Dutta Speaks Out on Internalised Patriarchy in Society
Divya said that everyone has some level of internalised patriarchy, no matter how progressive or educated they are. She reflected on how society assigns rigid roles, defining what a wife should do and how a husband should behave, and how rarely these expectations are questioned. She noted that it remains uncommon for men to share household responsibilities, revealing how deeply such ideas are rooted in everyday life and social practices.
She believes role based expectations must be broken because every relationship is unique. Partners, she says, should choose what suits them rather than follow rigid societal norms. She added that women, particularly in the film industry, are gradually challenging these conventions by managing careers, marriages, and motherhood according to their own choices and personal priorities with confidence and independence always.
Divya also spoke about her personal journey and how difficult it was to choose acting as a career. She had to remain firm and defend her decision. She now frequently shares these experiences during her motivational sessions with others today.
On Work Front
On the professional front, Divya Dutta was last seen in Chhaava with Vicky Kaushal, portraying Soyrabai in a story about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. She will next feature in Tum Rahe Na Tum alongside Jimmy Shergill, and in an upcoming project produced by Neeraj Pandey. Additionally, she is set to appear in the musical drama series Bandish Bandits.
