Ep 3. Episode 3

Leila is a Netflix original Indian dystopian drama series that portrays a bleak future where people from different casts fight for their identity and survival. The story follows the protagonist Shalini, who is on a journey to find her missing daughter Leila in a city where people are divided into different groups based on their caste, religion, and social status. In Season 1, Episode 3, Shalini continues her search for Leila, which leads her to a startling discovery.

The episode starts with Shalini traveling with a group of women who belong to the same clan as her missing daughter. They are on their way to a new settlement, where they hope to start a new life. However, the journey is not easy as they face numerous challenges, including hunger, thirst, and danger from their surroundings.

As they continue their journey, Shalini and her group encounter a group of scavengers who are known for robbing and killing people. The women hide behind the bushes while Shalini decides to confront the scavengers. She uses her wit and intelligence to talk to them and strike a deal to let her group go unharmed. Shalini's bravery and quick thinking impress the women in her group, and they start looking up to her as a leader.

The group finally reaches the new settlement, which is a small village built in the middle of a barren land. The villagers welcome them with open arms, and Shalini is surprised to see people from different castes and religions living together in peace. She learns that the village is run by a charismatic leader named Guru Ma, who believes that everyone is equal and should be treated with respect.

Shalini is skeptical of Guru Ma's ideology and decides to investigate further. She discovers that Guru Ma is a former journalist who was fed up with the corruption and injustice in the world and decided to create a utopia where everyone can live in harmony. Guru Ma's philosophy attracts people from all walks of life, and the village soon becomes a refuge for the marginalized and oppressed.

However, Shalini also learns that the village has a dark side. Guru Ma has a group of enforcers who use violent methods to maintain order in the village. The enforcers are rumored to be responsible for the disappearance of some villagers who spoke out against Guru Ma's regime. Shalini realizes that the village is not as idyllic as it seems and that she needs to be careful while investigating further.

Meanwhile, Shalini's husband, Rizwan, is also trying to find their daughter. He joins a group of rebels who are fighting against the government's oppressive policies. Rizwan's group discovers a secret facility where the government is distilling water from the polluted river, which is causing widespread illness and death among the lower castes. Rizwan and his group plan to expose the government's corruption to the world, but they are met with fierce resistance from the authorities.

In Episode 3 of Leila, the series takes a deeper dive into the themes of casteism, religion, and corruption. It also introduces new characters, including Guru Ma and her enforcers, who add complexity to the story. The episode ends with Shalini discovering a clue that might lead her to her missing daughter, but also puts her in danger. The audience is left wondering what the future holds for Shalini, Rizwan, and the rest of the characters as they navigate the harsh realities of their world.