Actor Prasanna Bisht has revealed a disturbing real-life child marriage story that deeply influenced her performance in the social drama Chiraiya.
In an exclusive interview, the actress shared how a personal encounter helped her emotionally connect with her character, Pooja, in the JioHotstar series.
The six-episode series, directed by Shashant Shah, tackles sensitive themes such as marital rape, consent, and generational conditioning within a traditional household.
Prasanna plays Pooja, a newlywed bride whose life takes a dark turn after she faces abuse from her husband, Arun, portrayed by Siddharth Shaw. The narrative follows her struggle to reclaim dignity and autonomy in a family that prioritises honour over justice.
Speaking to News9Live, Prasanna recalled a conversation with an elderly woman her neighbour’s grandmother that left a profound emotional impact on her. “I’ve always loved listening to people’s stories. It helps me understand characters better,” she said.
When Prasanna asked the woman about her marriage, she was shocked to learn that she had been married at just eight years old.
The woman went on to describe the trauma she endured as a child bride, revealing that her husband was significantly older and that her early experiences were deeply distressing.
“She told me the first night was so traumatic that she would run away from home every evening,” Prasanna shared. The woman would hide in a shed with cows and goats, choosing it over the dangers outside even in an area where leopards roamed at night because it felt safer than returning home.
“She told me it was rape,” the actress added, reflecting on the gravity of the story.
Months later, when Prasanna received the audition script for Chiraiya, the memory of that conversation resurfaced instantly. “When I read the script, I went completely blank. In that moment, I knew this was my responsibility,” she said.
The actress also emphasised that the series highlights deeper societal issues, particularly the role of upbringing and generational conditioning.
“Parenting is the biggest responsibility in the world,” she noted. “Sometimes the real problem is not that someone is intentionally doing something wrong, but that they don’t even realise it is wrong.”
With Chiraiya, Prasanna Bisht delivers a powerful performance rooted in real-life experiences, shedding light on issues that continue to affect many lives in silence