Prime Video’s upcoming young adult series Ziddi Girls is all set to premiere on 27 February, promising a bold and refreshing take on college life, female friendships, and self-discovery. Created by Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy and directed by Shonali Bose, the show follows a group of five fiercely independent young women navigating their way through the highs and lows of student life at an elite Delhi college.
With an ensemble cast featuring fresh talent Atiya Tara Nayak, Umang Bhadana, Zaina Ali, Deeya Damini, and Anupriya Caroli, alongside seasoned actors Simran, Nandita Das, Nandish Singh Sandhu, Lillete Dubey, and Revathy, Ziddi Girls has been marketed as an empowering series that celebrates sisterhood, rebellion, and resilience.
But while the show has drawn comparisons to Prime Video’s hit Four More Shots Please! and has been praised for its Gen Z relatability, it has also sparked controversy particularly among students of Miranda House, Delhi University, where parts of the series were shot.
While the makers promise a fun, coming-of-age story, According to a report by Hindustan Times, the reaction from students of Miranda House has been less than enthusiastic. Many have taken to social media to slam the show’s portrayal of their institution, accusing it of reducing them to damaging stereotypes.
“I watched the trailer with my friends, and it felt like they’ve reduced Mirandians to a single dimension—girls who watch porn and are constantly chasing men. It’s objectifying,” said Jyotsana, a final-year BA (Hons) English student, in an interview with Hindustan Times.
people have took it to social media following outrage, one X user commented: “I haven’t seen any of it yet but seems like a Four More Shots rip off version trying to attract 17-22 yo guys to watch their movie / series whatever it is”
Others questioned why acclaimed director Shonali Bose, herself an alumna of Miranda House, would present such a sensationalised take on student life. “She has done some impeccable work related to women’s empowerment in the past, but this show seems like a very superficial take on feminism. I don’t relate to what’s shown in the trailer,” another student remarked.
The backlash raises an important debate: Does Ziddi Girls empower women, or does it rely on exaggerated portrayals for dramatic effect?
The show’s creators, however, remain confident in their vision. Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy described Ziddi Girls as a spirited and unfiltered look at the real struggles and triumphs of young women. “If you thought Four More Shots Please! was the extent of our sisterhood stories, Ziddi Girls is here to show you we’ve only just begun,” they said.
Meanwhile, Prime Video India’s Head of Originals, Nikhil Madhok, assured that the series is about finding one’s identity, building lifelong friendships, and exploring the complexities of adulthood, calling it “a fresh, empowering female perspective.”
Despite the controversy, Ziddi Girls remains one of the most talked-about college dramas of the year. The show aims to break stereotypes and present the unbreakable bond of friendship and solidarity among young women. But with the Miranda House backlash gaining traction, it remains to be seen whether the series will strike a chord with its audience or be dismissed as another clichéd attempt at “wokeness.”