Some scenes are melodramatic (a trademark of Prakash Jha). For example, a character’s death is staged so theatrically that it slightly breaks the realism.
Aashram Season 1 is not easy viewing. It is dark, disturbing, and unflinching. But it is also essential viewing—a blistering critique of how power corrupts and how faith can be weaponized. For anyone searching for Aashram Season 1 all episodes, you are in for a tense, emotional, and thought-provoking journey. Just don’t expect a happy ending. In Kashipur, the truth is just another casualty.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Recommended for fans of: Crime thrillers, political dramas, and hard-hitting social commentary.
Have you watched Aashram Season 1? Which episode shocked you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below—but no spoilers for Season 2!
Aashram, directed by veteran filmmaker Prakash Jha , is a gritty crime drama that explores the dark underbelly of blind faith in India. Streaming on MX Player, the first season introduces viewers to the enigmatic yet sinister world of Baba Nirala, played by Bobby Deol. Aashram Season 1: All Episodes List
The first season consists of nine episodes, each titled after traditional religious rituals that ironically mask the criminal activities within the institution.
Pran Pratishtha: Introduces Pammi, a Dalit wrestler facing systemic discrimination, who finds hope in the charismatic Baba Nirala.
Grih Pravesh: A skeleton is discovered in the forest, sparking local rage and bringing Inspector Ujagar Singh onto the case. aashram season 1 all episodes
Duh Swapna: Pammi abandons her wrestling career to become a devotee, while Ujagar Singh digs deeper into the mystery of the unidentified remains.
Sewa Daar: Baba allows Pammi to join the ashram as a sadhvi, while Ujagar begins to suspect the ashram's involvement in illegal activities.
Amrit Sudha: A mass marriage event is organized, serving as a front for Baba to strike political deals with Hukum Singh.
Vish Haran: Ujagar finds a key lead inside the ashram—a girl named Kavita—as Baba learns of the ongoing investigation.
Gati Rodh: Bhopa, Baba's right-hand man, receives intelligence on the investigators, and Ujagar’s probe into the ashram's secrets intensifies.
Shuddhi Karan: The dark process of "purification" is revealed as Baba sets his sights on new targets, and Satti is manipulated to stay out of the way.
Maha Prasad: The season finale concludes with mounting tension as the legal and criminal worlds collide, leaving several cliffhangers for Season 2. Plot and Key Themes Some scenes are melodramatic (a trademark of Prakash Jha)
Set in the fictional town of Kashipur, the story revolves around the "Kashipur waale Baba Nirala," a self-proclaimed godman who builds an empire by exploiting the faith of the downtrodden. Aashram (TV Series 2020– ) - Episode list - IMDb
Runtime: ~43 minutes
Pammi attempts to escape but is caught by Satti’s men. Baba Nirala uses psychological manipulation to make her feel guilty and dependent. Meanwhile, Ujagar Singh pressures Bhanu to drop the case. The episode showcases how institutional corruption protects powerful cults.
Key takeaway: Leaving a cult is never as simple as walking away.
Runtime: 38 mins
Urmila moves into the ashram’s hostel. Meanwhile, the show introduces its other core characters: Bhopa Swami (Anil Rastogi), the loyal but troubled right-hand man, and Sadhvi Hetal (Tushar Pandey), a naive devotee. The episode highlights the ashram’s political connections. A local politician, Minister Sundar Lal, visits Baba to strike a deal involving land grabbing and votes from the backward classes.
We also witness the first hint of Baba’s temper. When a young boy questions his miracles, Baba orders his followers to beat the child. The episode’s title refers to Urmila’s growing suspicion that the ashram is not what it claims to be. Have you watched Aashram Season 1
Engaging, unsettling, and hard to look away – Aashram is a gripping exposé of fake godmen, blind faith, and systemic exploitation, though it leans heavily on melodrama and familiar tropes.
| Aspect | Rating | |--------------------|------------| | Acting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | | Story | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Direction | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Realism | ⭐⭐⭐½ | | Re-watch Value | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
Strongly recommended if you like dark, socially relevant crime dramas. But be prepared for disturbing content.
Best for: Fans of Sacred Games, Mirzapur, or anyone curious about the dark side of godmen.
Avoid if: You are sensitive to sexual violence or prefer subtle storytelling.
Would you like a spoiler-free episode-wise breakdown or trigger warnings for specific episodes?
Things start to go wrong for the Aashram’s pristine image. A skeleton is discovered near the Aashram grounds, hinting at foul play. While the police are pressurized to bury the case, a determined cop begins to dig deeper. Pammi’s disillusionment grows as she realizes the "special treatment" she is receiving is actually a trap.