Lajja

Vaidehi is a woman trapped in a loveless, controlling marriage who must navigate social stigma after being banished from her home. Pregnant and resourceful, she seeks safety while challenging the power structures that threaten her. Her courage becomes a catalyst for alliances and broader female solidarity.

A wealthy, outwardly polished man who brutalizes his wife while masking his infidelity behind a refined image. He schemes to make the baby an heir and uses fear to control Vaidehi. His arc moves from tyranny to a potential reform driven by Vaidehi’s unwavering plea for change.

A petty but humane thief who listens to Vaidehi’s story and helps her start anew in Haripur. He embodies moral complexity, offering practical aid and companionship on a perilous journey. His loyalty and courage become a bridge between Vaidehi’s struggle and new beginnings.

A cheerful middle-class bride whose wedding is a battleground of debt and prestige. She forms an uneasy alliance with Vaidehi at the wedding, challenging the social pressures surrounding marriage and dowry. Her arc highlights resilience and unlikely sisterhood across class lines.

A theatre actress who is pregnant and defiant, challenging social norms through performance and personal choices. A public backlash and a staged Ramayan scene spiral into tragedy, testing her resolve and shaping Vaidehi’s own fight for dignity.

A compassionate local dacoit who rescues Vaidehi from danger and ferries her toward safety. His presence offers protection outside formal law and embodies a form of justice rooted in mercy and solidarity.

A steadfast midwife who anchors the community and defies oppressive leaders. Her strength supports other women, but she becomes a tragic casualty of the violence that pervades the story, underscoring the lethal cost of oppression and the need for reform.