Rihaee was a bi-weekly serial telecast on Sony Entertainment Television during 2005. It was a crime serial depicting real stories of crime against women. The serial was produced by B.A.G. Films headed by
Anuradha Prasad
. It was directed by
Santram Verma
who is a reputed director with serials like kahin Kissi Roz and Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat to his kitty. The show was presented by
Rajeshwari Sachdev
,
Nakul Vaid
and
Kishwar Merchant
representing a quasi judicial body, the National Commission of crimes against women. The serial showcased many real life incidences of atrocities. The launch of the serial was attended by eminent personalities like Sheila Dixit, the then Chief Minister of Delhi, eminent social activist
Nafisa Ali
and the noted womens' rights lawyer Indira Jaisingh. The efforts of the TV channel were lauded by the people for making a serious effort to focus on issues that really affected women in Indian Society against a spate of TV serials that exaggerated things for women and were far from the real life. The serial effectively depicted that the crime against women meant much more than the usual cases of dowry incidents and female foeticide, and the cases related to female infanticide, criminal abuse, alcohol and sexual harassment etc. The serial created a serious impact by joining hands with National Commission for women (NCW). The producers also initiated a 24 hour helpline in association with NCW to actively address crime against women. The first episode showed the plight of a woman who was forced to marry a mentally challenged person. The second episode depicted a woman facing sexual harassment at her work place. Many other stories followed. The serial was termed as a brilliant effort except the allegations that it mostly depicted urban women and also it contained too much of masala element.
The serial was shown on Sony Entertainment Television from February 9, 2005 and many episodes followed.