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The Married Woman (ALT Balaji) : Web Series Actress And Actor

The Married Woman (ALT Balaji) : Web Series Actress And Actor

The Married Woman is an Indian web series directed by Sahir Raza. The series is made under the banner of Juggernaut Productions. It stars Ridhi Dogra and Monica Dogra in the lead role. The show was launched on OTT platform ALT Balaji on 8 March 2021. The story is based on popular book author Manju Kapur’s book ‘A Married Woman’.

Cast

The complete cast of web series The Married Woman :

Ridhi Dogra

As : Astha Kapoor (née Verma)

Monica Dogra

As : Peeplika Khan

Suhaas Ahuja

As : Hemant Kapoor (Astha’s husband)

Imaad Shah

As : Aijaz Khan

Samridhi Dewan

As : Timsi

Nabeel Ahmed

As : Mudassar Khan

Nadira Babbar

As : Kalpana Kapoor (Astha’s mother-in-law)

Divya Seth Shah

As : Indira (Peeplika’s mother)

Ayesha Raza

As : Babbo

Diyaan Kothari

As : Akshat Kapoor (Hemant and Astha’s son)

Myra Rajpal

As : Arumita Kapoor (Hemant and Astha’s daughter)

Nysa Arora

As : Young Peeplika

Rahul Vohra

As : Jagdish Kapoor (Astha’s father-in-law)

Sangeetha Balachandran

As : Suneeta Verma (Astha’s mother)

Aryan Khanna

As : Mr. Ayub Khan

Divyaa Unni

As : Ridhima

Preet Grewal

As : Piyu

Max Fernandes

As : Peeplika’s father

Isha Shah

As : Teenage Peeplika

The Married Woman ALT Balaji Web Series Release & Availability

The Married Woman is available to stream on ALT Balaji and Zee5 from 8 March 2021. The season have total 10 episodes. Other details related to the show are given below.

Available OnALT Balaji and Zee 5
Total Episode10 Episodes
Running Time26-35 Minutes (Total 307 Minutes)
Released Date8 March 2021
LanguageHindi
CountryIndia

The Married Woman ALT Balaji Web Series Trailer

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Beyond Boundaries: Unveiling the Stellar Cast of ‘The Married Woman’ (ALT Balaji)

‘The Married Woman’ (released on ALT Balaji and ZEE5) is a celebrated web series that bravely ventured into the sensitive terrain of female self-discovery, sexuality, and the restrictive boundaries of traditional Indian society. Far from being a mere romantic drama, the series, based on Manju Kapur’s 2002 novel A Married Woman, is a layered narrative set against the socio-political unrest of the early 1990s in India, providing a rich backdrop for a profound emotional journey.

The power of the 11-episode series rests squarely on the shoulders of its talented ensemble, whose nuanced performances brought to life the central relationship between two vastly different women. The show is not just a story of a woman exploring her sexuality, but a commentary on the search for connection beyond gender, faith, and societal expectations.

Here is a deep dive into the talented actresses and actors who anchored this groundbreaking web series.


The Leading Actresses: A Journey of Self-Discovery

The heart of The Married Woman lies in the intense emotional connection that develops between the titular character, Aastha, and the free-spirited artist, Peeplika. The casting of Riddhi Dogra and Monica Dogra, though sharing a surname, brought a unique and compelling synergy to the screen.

1. Riddhi Dogra as Aastha Kapoor

Riddhi Dogra portrays Aastha, the anchor of the story. Aastha is a dedicated college professor, a dutiful wife, and a doting mother whose life, though seemingly perfect from the outside, is characterized by a silent emotional void and the weight of patriarchal expectations. Her journey of self-discovery, which begins with a nascent attraction to a political activist, ultimately culminates in a deep, liberating connection with Peeplika.

The Actor’s Profile and Career Highlights:

Riddhi Dogra’s portrayal in The Married Woman marked a pivotal transition in her career, moving from the world of Indian television to the OTT space.

  • Television Stardom: Before her web series debut, Riddhi was a prominent face on Indian television, best known for her roles as Priya in the progressive Star Plus drama Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? and the sophisticated, grey-shaded Nisha in Woh Apna Sa.
  • OTT Acclaim: Her success on the digital platform has been explosive. Post-The Married Woman, she earned critical acclaim for her role as Nusrat in the hugely popular crime-thriller series Asur (Season 1 and 2).
  • Film Transition: Dogra has successfully moved into mainstream Bollywood cinema, featuring in major films like the action-thriller Lakadbaggha and starring alongside industry heavyweights in blockbusters like Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan and Salman Khan’s Tiger 3.
  • The Role’s Impact: Her nuanced performance of Aastha, a woman exploring her sexuality in a sensitive and non-melodramatic fashion, was praised by critics and audiences alike and garnered her a nomination for Best Actress – Drama (OTT) at the Indian Television Academy Awards in 2021.

2. Monica Dogra as Peeplika Khan

Monica Dogra plays Peeplika, an unconventional, free-spirited artist who enters Aastha’s carefully ordered life and becomes the catalyst for her self-awakening. Peeplika’s character is defined by her liberated views on relationships, identity, and art, standing in stark contrast to Aastha’s middle-class conservatism.

The Actor’s Profile and Career Highlights:

Monica Dogra is a multi-hyphenate artist—an American musician, singer, and actress—whose real-life persona added layers to her portrayal of Peeplika.

  • Music Career: She is widely recognized as one half of the popular electronic rock band Shaa’ir + Func, formed in 2005. She has released multiple studio albums with the band and solo music.
  • Acting Debut: Monica made her impactful acting debut in Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film Dhobi Ghat (2010), where she played Shai, a free-spirited artist.
  • Television and Reality: She was a judge on India’s first English music talent show, The Stage, and hosted four seasons of the music-documentary series The Dewarists. She also participated in the reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6.
  • Connecting to the Role: Monica herself noted the profound connection to the role, stating that the experience of playing Peeplika, an artist who grew up with certain struggles, felt specific and “written by the divine.” Her performance perfectly captured the essence of the complex, pan-sexual character who challenges social norms.

The Supporting Male Leads

While the series centers on the two women, the male characters provide the crucial context of the societal structures that Aastha attempts to break free from.

3. Suhaas Ahuja as Hemant Kapoor

Suhaas Ahuja portrays Hemant, Aastha’s husband. Hemant represents the archetypal middle-class man of the 90s—a businessman who is generally decent but inherently misogynistic and patronizing, dismissing his wife’s emotional needs and condescending to her while believing he has provided her with everything.

The Actor’s Profile and Career Highlights:

Suhaas Ahuja is a respected figure with a background deeply rooted in theater, film, and music composition.

  • Theatre and Music: Ahuja is a veteran theatre actor and composer, with credits including major productions like Gates to India Song and Club Desire. He also worked on the popular sitcom, Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant.
  • Film & Television: He is known for his roles in Bollywood films such as Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012) and the comedy-drama Tu Hai Mera Sunday (2017), as well as the television drama P.O.W. – Bandi Yuddh Ke.
  • Performance in TMW: Ahuja’s portrayal of Hemant was noted for effectively capturing the “casually cruel and clueless spouse,” providing a necessary anchor to the conservative world Aastha is trying to escape.

4. Imaad Shah as Aijaz Khan

Imaad Shah plays Aijaz, a Muslim political activist and Peeplika’s husband, who is the first person Aastha connects with outside her marriage, believing him to be the source of her emotional awakening. The storyline around Aijaz is set against the communal tensions of the time, which ultimately makes way for Aastha’s deeper bond with Peeplika.

The Actor’s Profile and Career Highlights:

Imaad Shah comes from an illustrious acting family, being the son of legendary actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah.

  • Actor and Musician: Like Monica Dogra, Imaad is a versatile artist who balances acting with a music career. He is a part of the electro-funk duo Madboy/Mink (with Saba Azad) and the frontman of the band The Pulp Society.
  • Notable Films: Imaad has acted in numerous independent and mainstream films, including his debut in Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota (2006), Dil Dosti Etc (2007), Little Zizou (2009), and the critically acclaimed Dhobi Ghat (2011), where he coincidentally worked with Monica Dogra.
  • Theatre Work: He is also an active theatre artist, working with the prominent company Motley, founded by his father.

Key Supporting Cast Members

The authenticity of the 1990s Delhi setting and the middle-class family environment was solidified by the powerful supporting actors:

  • Nadira Babbar as Hemant’s Mother
  • Rahul Vohra as Hemant’s Father
  • Ayesha Raza as Babbo
  • Divya Seth as Peeplika’s Mother

Conclusion: The Chemistry That Challenged Norms

The Married Woman is more than just an adaptation; it is a profound examination of emotional liberation. The compelling casting, particularly the powerful chemistry between Riddhi Dogra and Monica Dogra, elevated the material, ensuring the story resonated with a modern audience while honoring the complexities of the original novel’s setting. The series utilized its talented cast to sensitively navigate themes of sexuality, gender roles, and the socio-political divide, cementing its place as an important milestone in Indian digital storytelling.


AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Who are the main actresses in The Married Woman web series?

The main actresses in The Married Woman web series are Riddhi Dogra, who plays the lead character Aastha Kapoor, and Monica Dogra, who portrays the unconventional artist Peeplika Khan. Their on-screen chemistry as two women on a journey of self-discovery is central to the plot.

Q2: Is The Married Woman web series based on a book?

Yes, The Married Woman web series is based on the popular and critically acclaimed novel of the same name, A Married Woman, written by author Manju Kapur and originally published in 2002.

Q3: Who plays the role of Aastha’s husband, Hemant, in the series?

The role of Aastha’s conservative and casually patriarchal husband, Hemant Kapoor, is played by actor Suhaas Ahuja. Ahuja is known for his work in theatre, films like Talaash, and various television series.

Q4: What is the plot of The Married Woman and what is its setting?

The Married Woman tells the story of Aastha, a dutiful wife and teacher, who embarks on a journey of emotional and sexual self-discovery after meeting an unconventional artist, Peeplika. The story is set in Delhi in the early 1990s, with the volatile political backdrop of the riots following the Babri Masjid demolition interwoven into the narrative.

Q5: Where has Riddhi Dogra been seen recently besides The Married Woman?

Riddhi Dogra has gained significant recognition in the OTT space for her role in the series Asur (Season 1 and 2). She has also transitioned to major Bollywood films, notably appearing in Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan and Salman Khan’s Tiger 3.

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