Just finished the episode now and as expected the highlight was definitely the uncomfortable police station scenes
Starting off with the Sinha house, for once it was great to laugh at a scene with Ishaani š Her face when the guy said rishta is pakka from his side š And they turned out to be actors. I did have a feeling when the "dad" asked for all their companies as dowry š Anyways, smart move, Dadaji šš¼ Only hope no one else was listening in.
Police station 1 - The minute the word "rape" is uttered by Shaurya, they have the rapt attention of the entire place, including those in the cells.
It's to be noted that when those prisoners started making lewd comments about Diya in the presence and hearing of everyone, the main inspector did not even think of reprimanding or shouting at them, instead asked Shaurya and Diya to not pay attention to them! Like what the hell š² š³! Cops especially in shows and movies are normally shown shouting at or taunting prisoners even without any provocation but here nothing. The less said about the inspector the better. Beneath all his fake politeness he seemed disgustingly eager to get all the details š¤¢! And all the time passing stupid comments and excuses like it could be an accusation for revenge, etc only to finally say it's not in his jurisdiction so he can't register it š” Diya's hesitation and stammer in recounting the incident and Shaurya's indignation and growing frustration with the way they were being treated was very realistic and full credit goes to Neha and Kunal for portraying it convincingly. As our system shows, it is another trauma of a different sort for a victim to just register a case at a police station š.
Police station 2 - Events at the "correct jurisdiction" station, are also not much different. Whereas in the previous one, the inspector showed too much of interest here the cop has a bored and constantly distracted attitude. Thankfully Shaurya's intervention (if looks could kill that cop would have dropped dead!) finally made the cop cut his call and pay attention but even then treating the victim like dirt , rudely repeating details, asking insensitive questions ("did you note any landmarks where you were thrown?" Will draw a map of the place for you, you moron! š¤¬) Like me, Shaurya Sinha too had had about enough and gave the cop a piece of his mind. But then the fellow changes tracks and brings up the jurisdiction nonsense again! Urmi's timely intervention was perfect and it sure is a sad state of affairs when a common citizen has to remind a cop about the law. By the way, it was a much needed piece of information and glad the makers took this route to make it more widely known. Never was aware of the Zero No. report and I'm sure many others especially victims wouldn't be either.
The scene where Diya runs and hugs Urmi was so symbolic in a way. It's her real mother who should have been in Urmi's place but the mother herself alienated her daughter because of her condition so Diya went to seek maternal comfort and understanding elsewhere where it was readily and unconditionally given. And who better than Urmi to give it. A very very natural scene š. (Now that I think about it, there wasn't a single scene so far where Diya hugs her mother after her ordeal)
Precap: Another reason not to file report in the form of the time that passed since the rape. It is another thing altogether when cops themselves discourage victims from proceeding with their complaint. Maybe they mean it in earnest as they are aware of how things can turn ugly during court proceedings but it still isn't right.
Thought: All the "drama" that went in just filing a report had me thinking of real life scenarios of victims. Like I had mentioned in another thread, Diya is a strong girl with the backing and support of influential people like Shaurya and Urmi, yet what they got to experience at the station was nothing short of disturbing, degrading and downright insulting not to mention traumatic for Diya to keep recounting what happened in front of all these strangers repeatedly. Imagine what it would be like for ordinary victims with no support or even proper knowledge of the law. They would only be left going from one station to another going through the same rude treatment only to be eventually turned away. So what good does the proper laws and justice system being in place do?
PS: Yikes! This really has turned into an essay. My apologies š³