Riti Riwaj is a bold anthology-style Indian web series that explores unconventional village customs and the human stories tangled in them. Each episode focuses on a different ritual or “riwaj” and how it impacts relationships social standing and personal freedom. The series first appeared in 2020 on the Ullu platform and ran as a short-form anthology season that drew attention both for its provocative themes and compact runtime (roughly 18–22 minutes per episode).
Overview and release timeline
The show’s first season premiered in March 2020 with subsequent episodes released across mid-2020 and into 2021 for some instalments and spin-off entries that share the same “Riti Riwaj” banner. The series is built as standalone stories so viewers can jump to individual episodes without needing to follow a single continuing plot. The original release date listed for the series is March 17, 2020 with multiple episodes released over the following months. Several episodes were published on Ullu and later catalogued by streaming indexes and episode guides.
Because Riti Riwaj is an anthology collection produced for a digital platform, episode release dates are staggered rather than following a weekly TV schedule. Some entries such as the “Mann-Marzi” parts are marked with release activity in 2021, indicating that the Riti Riwaj brand continued to publish new short stories after the initial 2020 season.
Episode list (Season 1 / key entries)
Across databases and streaming guides the show’s principal season is commonly listed with eight main episodes though related mini-entries and multi-part stories extend that count depending on the catalogue you consult. Below is a consolidated episode list with short synopses compiled from episode guides and platform listings. (Times shown are approximate runtimes ~18–22 minutes.)
1. Water Wives — Premiere: March 17, 2020.
In a drought-hit rural setting a strange practical logic emerges men marry multiple women to secure access to more water. The episode probes whether the custom is survival driven or a cover for desire and power.
2. Wife on Rent — April 2020 (catalogued April 3 2020).
A man discovers that a sexual liaison turns into a transactional arrangement when “wives for rent” become a local service. What begins as arrangement spirals into emotional complications.
3. Love Festival — April 2020.
A festival grants married people one night of uninhibited choice with strangers. The story examines fidelity temptation and the consequences of a tradition that normalises temporary liaisons.
4. Tijarat — May 29, 2020.
A darker entry that centres on the auctioning of girls framed as a ritual of beauty and charm. The narrative critiques exploitation under the guise of culture.
5. Haldi — June 27, 2020.
Set around the wedding haldi ceremony this story looks at how a ritual meant to bless a marriage becomes the starting point of an obsessive and unsettling relationship.
6. Pinjara — June 30, 2020.
A bride’s attempt to satisfy a superstition forces her into a marriage that traps her in coercive power dynamics. The episode deals with blackmail jealousy and the loss of autonomy.
7. Taala Chaabi — July 1, 2020.
Following a marriage where lovers are prohibited from meeting for a period the couple’s separation invites temptation and betrayal via a seductive maid. The ritual’s enforced distance strains trust.
8. Mann-Marzi — Released as parts in 2021 (e.g., July 16, 2021 for Part 1).
A later multi-part entry under the Riti Riwaj umbrella that continued the franchise into 2021. Mann-Marzi explores themes of consent desire and the tension between heart and social expectation.
Note: some episode databases and playlists include additional short clips trailers or unofficial uploads which can make the total count vary slightly. Major streaming indexes however consistently describe the main season as eight compact episodes with a number of multi-part stories attached to the Riti Riwaj name.
Cast crew and production notes
Riti Riwaj features a rotating ensemble cast across episodes with different directors and writers handling individual stories. Cast lists include a variety of actors credited on episode pages including Anupama Prakash and others who appear in multiple instalments. The series is produced for digital release and is associated in various listings with the Ullu platform which often hosts similar short-form adult drama anthologies.
Where to watch
The series originally released on Ullu and many episode guides and streaming aggregators (JustWatch OTTplay IMDb) list Ullu as the primary platform. Availability outside of Ullu may change by region and over time so viewers should check current streaming guides for their country. Several episodes and clips are also indexed on video sites and social channels sometimes as promotional uploads.
Final thoughts
Riti Riwaj is emblematic of short-form anthology storytelling on Indian digital platforms: punchy runtimes focused themes that spark conversation and a production model that lets creators experiment with taboos. For viewers interested in social commentary wrapped in compact dramatic vignettes it’s a useful binge that’s easy to sample episode by episode. If you want to watch particular entries check the episode titles above and search them on Ullu or major streaming indexes for the most up-to-date availability.
