March 25, 2023
Taj web series S01- The Bridge (13angle)

‘Taj: Divided by Blood’ is a masterpiece that captures the essence of one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, Emperor Akbar, and his turbulent family relationships. The series is a gripping portrayal of the emperor’s life, and the complexities of his relationships with his three sons, who are all vying for the throne of the Mughal Empire. While the show is based on true events, the makers have added their own fictionalized twist to the narrative, which makes it even more intriguing.

The performances by the cast are top-notch, with Naseeruddin Shah delivering a stellar performance as Emperor Akbar, bringing alive the ruler’s complex personality and the crucial decisions he makes about the lives of those less powerful than him. Aashim Gulati and Taaha Shah Badussha bring distinct charm and temperamental cruelty to their roles as Salim and Murad, respectively. Shubham Kumar Mehra portrays Daniyal’s character as God-fearing and submissive, while Aditi Rao Hydari looks stunning as Anarkali, but has limited scope to perform. Sandhya Mridul and Zarina Wahab also perform strongly as Akbar’s wives, Jodha and Salima.

The visuals of the series are breath-taking, with grand set pieces, real locations, and convincing special effects that make for a cinematic experience. The action is evenly spread across the narrative, and the series flows at a consistent pace, never losing its grip on building viewer interest. The only minor drawback is that the dialogues lack the finesse of the era in which the show is set.

In summary, ‘Taj: Divided by Blood’ is a riveting tale of love, lust, and power-hungry royals that once ruled the country as if they were invincible. The series provides thrill and entertainment through an engaging screenplay, and most of its elements align well, making it a must-watch for those interested in Indian history and epic dramas. The show is a testament to the makers’ dedication to bringing alive the rich and complex history of India on screen, making it an inspiring watch for anyone who appreciates the art of storytelling.

  1. Genre: Drama Historical fiction
  2. Written by: Ajay Singh
  3. Screenplay by: William Borthwick, Simon Fantauzzo
  4. Story by: Christopher Butera
  5. Directed by: Ron Scalpello, Ajay Singh, Vibhu Puri, Prashant Singh
  6. Composers: (Music) Ian Arber
  7. Original release: 3 March 2023 on Zee5
  8. Country of origin: India
  9. Original languages: Hindi and Urdu
  10. No. of seasons: 1
  11. No. of episodes: 10

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Review on Taj web series S01- The Bridge (13angle)

Casts

  1. Dharmendra as Shaikh Salim Chisti
  2. Naseeruddin Shah as Akbar
  3. Aaryama Salim as Young Akbar
  4. Aditi Rao Hydari as Anarkali
  5. Sandhya Mridul as Jodha Bai
  6. Rahul Bose as Mirza Muhammad Hakim
  7. Zarina Wahab as Salima Sultan Begum
  8. Aashim Gulati as Salim
  9. Taaha Shah as Murad
  10. Shubham Kumar Mehra as Daniyal Mirza
  11. Pankaj Saraswant as Abul Fazal
  12. Anushka Luhar as Man Bai
  13. Firdaush as Hakim Hasan
  14. Tanvi Negi as Jagat Gossain
  15. Jaanam Raaj as Sahib Jamal
  16. Subodh Bhave as Birbal
  17. Akshat Mishra as Durjan
  18. Pawan Chopra as Giyas Beg
  19. Padma Damodaran as Ruqaiya Sultan Begum
  20. Shivani Tanksale as Bakht-un-Nissa Begum
  21. Aayam Mehta as Badayuni
  22. Deepraj Rana as Maharana Pratap
  23. Zachary Coffin as Father Monserrate
  24. Sauyma Setia as young Mehrunnisa
  25. Saurabh Selwal as young Asaf Khan