Ziddi Girls serves as a reminder that sometimes being ziddi is just as important as it is necessary!

As a Delhi University alum, Ziddi Girls struck a deep chord with me, flooding me with nostalgia while reminding me of the invaluable lessons in standing up that I learned during those formative college years.

They say college is a world so vast that you can easily lose yourself in it but that’s often how you find your true self. Reflecting on my first year at Delhi University, it felt like a rollercoaster ride—people from all different places, ethnicities, and entirely distinct worlds coming together to share the same space. Naturally, there were disagreements, clashes, and even fights amidst the excitement of being a fresh-faced first-year student, newly emerged from the sheltered world of school and suddenly thrust into the chaotic hands of college life. Navigating these choppy waters is never easy, but it’s an experience that not only stays with you for years but also shapes who you become. Ziddi Girls stands as a testament to those first years where you evolve from a naive young girl, whose idealistic, rainbow-colored worldview collides with the hard-hitting reality that is far more complex than imagined.

Even before its release, the show’s trailer raised eyebrows, particularly among figures like the principal of Miranda House, who questioned its portrayal of the college and its girls—especially given that one of the creators, Shonali Bose, is a Miranda alum, and the show was shot on its campus. However, anyone who watches the series will realize that it isn’t based on a single college. Rather, it paints a broader picture of Delhi University’s culture, and anyone who has spent time at any of its institutions will recognize the accuracy of the portrayal. From nukkad natak (street theatre) to experimental drama groups, poetry competitions, student elections, and college fests, the show captures how these platforms help students raise their voices and stand up for what they believe in, all woven into the daily lives of Delhi’s students.

Considering Delhi’s political capital, politics is always in the air. Hence it’s no surprise that baithaks (informal discussions) and chai pe charcha (conversations over tea) are common among students, where debates and protests become integral to their expression of dissent. At its best, Delhi’s educational culture has been about shaping young minds holistically, helping them form and defend their own opinions. Ziddi Girls infuses this political commentary into the microcosm of Matilda House, a fictional girls’ college, where the fight for individual rights echoes larger national struggles. After all, who understands the burden of subjugation better than women, who are constantly schooled and policed while men go unscathed? The show highlights the unjust reality of hostel curfews, dress codes, and the ever-present fear of losing one’s hard-won freedom.

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Having studied in both Delhi and Mumbai, I can attest that while Mumbai may feel somewhat safer for women, its college disciplinary codes are no less restrictive—especially if, like me, you come from an environment where what you wore or how much makeup you put on didn’t matter, and everyone, whether from the posh lanes of South Delhi or elsewhere, was simply a student. But safety in Delhi for women is another matter entirely. The casual violence—like the infamous semen-filled balloons that come flying out of nowhere, or the testosterone-fueled chaos at women’s college fests where incidents of groping, public masturbation, harassment inevitably follow—makes growing up in Delhi feel like an obstacle course of survival. It’s almost as if a woman’s rite of passage comes through enduring different levels of harassment. The show doesn’t shy away from depicting this. It also celebrates the camaraderie and closeness between the girls, who may bicker and get on each other’s nerves, but learn to live together and stand up for one another. Coming from different backgrounds, each girl brings her own set of challenges, but what unites them is the bond they build—whether through sharing clothes, dressing up together, or exchanging secrets.

While the show’s eight episodes suffer from uneven pacing and given its powerful potent messaging you wish it was built more strongly, what makes it resonating is how grounded it remains in its setting, telling a powerful story through its environment and characters. Created by Shonali Bose, Rangitha, and Ishita Pritish Nandy, Ziddi Girls stands out as one of the best shows that portrays a generation authentically, without trying too hard. The characters—these so-called ‘ziddi’ (stubborn) girls—embrace the label as a compliment, following their own evolving moral code of conduct befitting their title as the series progresses, reminding and pushing all of us to rise up, especially in these times when complacency often reigns, leaving the fight for justice to others.

But it also offers a thoughtful reminder: standing up for what you believe in doesn’t mean forcing your views on others, especially in a world where one wrong move can trigger a backlash from so-called culture protectors, men policing women’s honor, or elders waiting to school you for stepping out of line. While every battle is important, not every one needs to be fought immediately. Sometimes, waiting for the right moment is all it takes especially in these polarized times, where even choosing not to pick a side feels like a choice in itself. And for that I applaud these girls for choosing to protest to voice their dissent and stage for self-expression! 

I loved watching these ziddi girls roar with confidence alongside a stellar young cast, holding their own against industry veterans like Nandita Das, Revathi, Nandish, and Simran. Their chemistry was palpable, reminiscent of the bonds we shared with teachers who felt more like friends than authority figures.

Ziddi Girls is currently streaming on Prime Video!  

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