Welcome!
Independence Day just went by, and it was a week of lots of conversations around independence, freedom and what these really mean for us.
Us, who is this Us?
Us is people like you and me, normal people (whatever that means!), working from one day to the next, managing not-so-usual circumstances and stresses as part of our everyday Zindagi (Life).
Churails is a ZEE5 Exclusive Zindagi Original series which revolves around women finding empowerment in the most unexpected ways!
Indeed, when a whole lot of women proudly declare themselves as #MainChurailHoon you know there is something powerful and special going on there!
The Background/ Set up –
ZEE5.com has launched a 10 episode serial, which in Season One explores the murky by-lanes of relationships and the way the society curtails women to make them submit to traditions!
This program is quite disturbing on some levels because it takes a close look at topics which are almost-never discussed openly in polite society, and it makes you take a closer look at your own life, and your own conditioning.
Topics such as abuse, cheating, societal pressures to conform, the lack of freedom to choose! Choose your Life partner, career and most importantly, your life path! – All of these get explored to some extend in this serial.
Is this all that this serial is about?
Nope! This is only the setting of the society which is not far from reality! After all, they do say, that reel life mimics real life, and Churails has done a good job of a realistic portrayal of society, but then what comes next – is absolutely unexpected!
The show brings together actresses Sarwat Gilani, Yasra Rizvi, Mehar Bano and Nimra Bucha, playing the characters of four women from very diverse backgrounds – an ex-lawyer/housewife, a down on her luck wedding planner, an aspiring boxer and a convict just released after serving a 20 year sentence!
So, what really happens?
Women, who until now were just considered a means to an end, without much of an identity, a wajood of their own! Turn the tables on the men and society!
Set in Karachi, Pakistan, these women come together to open a Burqa boutique, aptly named Halal designs, which is actually a front for a detective agency, specialising in helping women tackle their cheating husbands, and give them a taste of their own medicine, with the tag line “Mard ko dard hoga”.
This tagline, as you can well imagine, goes a long way in marketing the secret agency to women of means who are in need. What follows in the beginning are some funny incidents, with the group of women detectives solving cases and making money while empowering other women by getting them on a more equal footing to the men.
It all starts going wrong, when they start doing a lot of right.
Society has never liked anyone who is empowered and embraces that power, and that is much of what we see here too – the breakdown of the Chudails, the unravelling of the characters and the final exposure of the culprits behind each of the misdeeds.
The Strongest Storyline (IMO)
In my opinion, the strongest storyline, the most disturbing, and the most heart-wrenching, was the story of Batool, a good goon!
Some respite were the light moments of bully-banter with the police officer (I was rooting for a love story here! But the storyline, has stayed true to its purpose, and focused on empowering each of the women characters, and for her, love was maybe not quite yet on the cards! Offcourse, there is always season two!!
Final Thoughts
The show has a set of Fiery women, who mostly act before they think, to their own detriment, yet, there is a realness and a relatability about them.
I mean, how many times, have we spoken before really thinking it through!
Some of the scenes, and storylines were very disturbing- yet, this program was one I watched in one single sitting – I had to know what was happening, why, and how would it all end.
The show touched upon many other sensitive topics, and it is commendable how they have handled potentially volatile subjects with dignity while telling their stories.
I would recommend you watch this program, and in the end you too will smile and say #MainChurailHoon – and realise how empowering these three words are.
Very nice series having women oriented theme..I saw some episodes and like it..very well reviewed
Very elaborate and descriptive review! Im too excited to watch this now!
You Explain it very well that I am now eager to watch this. Specially I like to watch these women empowerment movies, series or anything. Thank you for sharing.
A well explained review about a story line that looks interesting. It seems like a fresh concept with a good balance of content..
Chudail has become very popular nowadays. Zee5 has got a wonderful webseries to watch. And your review is also very good.
Churails seems to be the talk of the town. Amazing show about women empowerment and supporting each other. Wil have to check this out now!
I am hearing a lot about churali series all across the web. Seems like a great series on women empowerment with impressive star cast. Will check out this for sure.
I am looking forward to watch this one over the weekend. Your review was great!
This looks like a super amazing show, gonna watch this weekend
I watched the series and found it quite interesting. It’s a story of every woman who wants to see herself as a separate identity from her male counterpart.
I binge-watched Churails and LOVED it. The best part is the global appeal of the storyline and powerful narrative that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats! Loved your review and how you connected it to Independence day. Batool is one of my favourite characters in the web series. Fab review. Thanks!
This sounds a very interesting story and a must watch for us.
True buddy, the character of Batool really touched my heart. I really loved Churails too, loved your review.
This show seems to be super interesting and fun to watch for sure. I am a fan of women centric shows and this is now in my to watch list.
I am hearing a lot about Churails lately. he storyline sounds interesting and though provoking . I just wish society should take some lessons from such shows.
I have just seen the firat episode and it just got me hooked. I loved reading your review on this series. I guess with such wonderful reviews and a very good plot, the show is going to be a superhit!
Limited episodes, such interesting and realistic storyline with some fantastic acting makes this a must watch
I love this series . Already watched all the episodes.. the storyline is perfect for today’s women.
Woh !! I m definitely going to grab the popcorn and going to watch this series this weekend:)
The concept looks different and attractive at the same time. I definitely gonna save it for my weekend chillax session.
Representative of TCT 🙂
I had a ball binge watching this series! Such a refreshing change from the usual story lines that are so popular these days.
This is fresh content. Its challenging the status quo. Breaking and trying many perceptions and bursting myths.
Have been reading such great reviews about this series. The issues that it brings to fore needs to be addressed on a war footing the world over. Thanks for your recommendation. Will check it out!
I didn’t watch it but I am liking the story and the theme of woman empowerment as you said it touches the sensitive topics too which were not discussed, I just want to watch. Thanks for the review.
Stories like Chudail need to be told in today’s times. Such a shift from the saas bahu saga we’ve been fed over the years on television!
Your review most of all makes me what to watch this show, leaving all the current ones I’m watching. The review you have given is so apt to some of us women who are standing our grounds and trying to make sense of life.
This show is really much talked show now, I liked the way story and plot is and looking forward this weekend to enjoy it for sure!!
I’ve watched Churails. This Zee5 women centric is hard hitting the stigmas prevailing in our society. With powerful performance and strong storyline its Indeed a binge watch.
I really like to watch women oriented shows and I seen few episodes of this one too and it’s really in nice
Strong women characters helps spread a good message to the society. Thank you for sharing your views.
This review sounds intriguing. I had heard a lot about this show. Looking forward to watch it.
This show left a deep impact on me. One of the best shows I have seen in a while with a very powerful story line and even powerful message
I have been hearing a lot about this show recently and have also read some great reviews. After reading your review, I am sure that I have to watch it no matter what. So curious to know all about the Churails.
As you pointed out that CHurails have some disturbing things as well but I feel with the changing face of India discussing these issues is a must too I am sure to watch this series pretty soon.
More power to woman. I am definitely going to watch this. ZEE5 has some great shows and as it is a thriller and women centric it appeals to me. Thanks for sharing.
I have watched this recently and loved the writing screenplay character building everything about this web series I am so glad that Zee5 has got such a quality content on it OTT platform. Your review is very crisp and interesting
i like content with strong female characters and this sounds really interesting. I have to check this out now. Probably will binge watch it. They have such good content.
Women oriented series talking about the issues that women experience and they get unnoticed. I loved watching the episodes, they kept me hooked.
This is a great review. Churail- I have loved the plot and the screenplay.