The sixth episode of Bombay Begums starts with Shai being taken to the hospital after her encounter with drugs at Imran’s birthday party. The parents, Rani and Naushad, are tense.

Haider surprises Lily by telling her that he wants to take Lily and Vaibhav to Dubai so that they can start a new life there. This is what Lily wanted and she is elated.

Lily reaches the hospital to meet Rani and ask for help to relocate to Dubai. Rani says that this will be the last time she will help Lily. Rani also places a condition in front of Lily – to withdraw her statement as a witness from Ayesha’s sexual harassment case.

At the bank, Ayesha attends a meeting chaired by Fatima. Ayesha is appalled when she learns that Lily has withdrawn her statement. Fatima suggests that Ayesha withdraw her complaint since there will be consequences for a fake allegation. Ayesha looks her in the eye and says that she won’t turn back come what may. Ayesha’s confidence makes Fatima rethink the situation.

Ayesha reaches Lily’s place to confront her about the withdrawal of her statement. Lily reminds Ayesha of her privilege which isn’t available to Lily. “Insaaf ki ladaai ladne ki luxury nahi hai apun ke paas”, says Lily which sums up why she did what she did.

Fatima meets Devyani to talk about Deepak and his predatory ways. Devyani says that “men will be men” and that Fatima will have to protect her mentor if she wants to grow in her career. Fatima doesn’t agree with this notion.

Following the lack of evidence against Deepak’s predatory behaviour, Ayesha’s sexual harassment complaint is closed. Ayesha doesn’t hold Lily responsible and still wants to set up Lily’s factory.

Fatima checks out the online portal for anonymous sexual harassment stories. She sets up a meeting with the girl who was previously assaulted by Deepak. That girl is Karuna, an ex-employee of Royal Bank. Fatima is shocked to learn that Deepak actually sexually harassed Karuna and Fatima didn’t have the slightest clue about it.

Vaibhav sees Haider with his wife and children and learns that his Haider uncle is married.

Shai is safe and out of danger. There are no signs of sexual assault on her body.

As the governor of PRB, Mahesh sends a notice to Royal Bank about the Ozonoh deal going against guidelines. Rani is enraged and feels betrayed. She meets Mahesh in his office. She says that she had real feelings for him but now she is heartbroken. They kiss for one last time and she leaves, saying that Royal Bank’s lawyers will respond to PRB’s notice.

Shai’s monologue about betrayals plays in the background.

Rani cries in her office holding PRB’s notice in her hands. Fatima enters and tries to comfort her looking at her terrible condition. Rani gets herself together and tells Fatima all about her affair with Mahesh and his betrayal.

Ron and Ayesha attend a party with Ron’s friends. They talk about music concerts and the topic of Chitra comes up. Ayesha totally bashes Chitra’s music.

Fatima and Arijay are at their alumni party. Arijay is lively and energetic whereas Fatima looks disinterested.

At the hospital, Rani sits with Shai. Shai regrets going to the party and giving Imran her notebook. Rani comforts her and says that heartbreaks are bound to happen in life. The two form a beautiful bond.

At home, Fatima and Arijay talk about their relationship. Fatima feels that their relationship is a pretense. After talking in circles, Fatima confesses to him that she cheated on him with Jeff. Arijay is devastated. This spirals into a full-blown fight between the two. I have to appreciate the acting of Shahana Goswami and Vivek Gomber in this scene for keeping the fight scene authentic and not making it too melodramatic.

Next, Fatima and Arijay reach the bank but they’re not on talking terms with each other. Deepak is back and he thanks Fatima for sticking by his side.

Ayesha again goes on a house-hunt. She learns that her broker knows the local politician Rane who is superior to Vijay Sathe. The broker makes Ayesha meet Rane. Ayesha pitches the idea of Lily’s factory to the politician and promises him that Lily and her friends would support him during elections. Things start to look up. Ayesha calls Lily and re-ignites the hope of her factory. But now, Lily isn’t interested. She wants to go to Dubai. Vaibhav suggests that they stay here and that Lily opens her own factory instead of being someone’s mistress in Dubai. Lily rebukes Vaibhav for knowing nothing and calls him a “shraap” in her life. The mother and son cry in different corners.

Rani watches her interview with Pradyuman that she gave the other day. Then, she finds the file of Karuna’s sexual harassment complaint.

Fatima meets Karuna again and records her statement. Karuna’s story is similar to that of Ayesha’s.

Next, Fatima meets Ayesha and tells her that she believes her. Fatima says that she will bring Deepak down.

Rani fixes Shai’s torn notebook and gives it to her. Shai is pleased. Rani then asks her if any boy touched her inappropriately at the party but Shai declines. Rani narrates her own story of sexual harassment to Shai. When Rani was new in Bombay, her mentor used to ask her to stay back at work and sexually assault her. This mentor is Pradyuman. She is still haunted by the trauma of those days. Shai hugs Rani and says, “I love you”. This is a huge step forward in their relationship.

Fatima enters Rani’s office with Karuna’s statement. Rani had a deal with Deepak that she would protect him and he would withdraw his name from the race for CEO. But now Rani is ready to report Deepak to the police. She calls the police and files an FIR against Deepak for 2 sexual harassment cases. Deepak is sent to jail.

Ayesha tells Ron that she has found a flat of her liking. Ron is taken aback as he was hoping that Ayesha would stay with him and they would continue seeing each other. Ayesha comes out to him as bisexual. Moreover, she still has feelings for Chitra.

Finally, Lily’s factory is open and she doesn’t end up going to Dubai. All the 5 Bombay Begums are present at the inauguration ceremony. Media persons are also present and they ask Rani about the complaints against Deepak. While answering the question, Rani also speaks about her own encounter with a sexual predator who was her mentor, Pradyuman.

The Irani house makes preparations to celebrate Zenobia’s birth anniversary. Meanwhile, Shai gets her period! She informs Rani who hands over pads to Shai.

Fatima tries to mend things with Arijay but he realises that they both want different things in life. He moves out of their house.

Ayesha moves into her new flat.

Rani, Naushad, Shai and Zuravar look at their old pictures with Zenobia and reminisce about the sweet memories with her. Rani wears Zenobia’s iconic white saree for Naushad. He sees her and cries. They kiss and make out. For the first time, Naushad takes Rani’s name in their intimate moments.

The first season of Bombay Begums ends with Deepak at the police station. He tells the police about Zurvar running over a boy and Rani covering it up by bribing Lily. The police reach outside Rani’s home.

At the end of the first season of Bombay Begums, some women are heartbroken while some women’s hearts brim with love and light. There is a possibility of the audience getting a second season of Bombay Begums since the makers leave a major plot point open for it.

Episode Rating: 3/5