''Siyaasat'' (English: ''Politics'') is a 2014

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n fictional drama which aired on

The EPIC Channel Epic TV is an Indian television channel that airs action, drama, comedy and narrative non-fiction and fictional programming with a focus on Indian history, folklore and epic genre. Launched by In10 Media Pvt. Ltd. on 19 November 2014, a comp ...

. The series is an adaptation of the popular 2002 award-winning fictional novel ''The Twentieth Wife'' by author

Indu Sundaresan Indu Sundaresan is an Indian-American author of historical fiction. Personal life She was born and raised in India as the daughter of an Indian Air Force pilot, Group Captain R. Sundaresan, who died in a crash while on duty. Her mother's name is ...

. The series revolves around Mughal politics, inter-personal conflicts, sabotage, grandeur, power and the love between Prince Salim (the Mughal emperor

Jahangir Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (30 August 1569 – 28 October 1627), known by his imperial name Jahangir (; ), was the fourth Mughal Emperor, who ruled from 1605 until he died in 1627. He was named after the Indian Sufi saint, Salim Chishti. Ear ...

) and Mehrunissa also known as

Nur Jahan Nur Jahan, born Mehr-un-Nissa P ersian: نورجهان (; – 18 December 1645) was the wife and chief consort of the Mughal emperor Jahangir from 1620 until his death in 1627. Nur Jahan was born Mehr-un-Nissa, as the daughter of a Mirza Ghi ...

, who was Salim's twentieth and final wife. It is now available o
EPIC On

EPIC TV Epic TV is an Indian television channel that airs action, drama, comedy and narrative non-fiction and fictional programming with a focus on Indian history, folklore and epic genre. Launched by In10 Media Pvt. Ltd. on 19 November 2014, a compa ...

's streaming platform and on

Prime Video Amazon Prime Video, also known simply as Prime Video, is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming and rental service of Amazon offered as a standalone service or as part of Amazon's Prime subscription. The service prim ...

as well.

Plot

Siyaasat is mainly about the journey of Mehrunissa to become

. It is based in the era of Mughal rule where

Akbar Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar (25 October 1542 – 27 October 1605), popularly known as Akbar the Great ( fa, ), and also as Akbar I (), was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar succeeded his father, Hum ...

is the Emperor. The show focuses on the battle between the princes to become the heir to the throne and also on

Salim Salim, Saleem or Selim may refer to: People *Salim (name), or Saleem or Salem or Selim, a name of Arabic origin * Salim (poet) (1800–1866) * Saleem (playwright) (fl. 1996) *Selim I, Selim II and Selim III, Ottoman Sultans * Selim people, an e ...

- Mehrunissa's love story. The other prominent aspects of the show are the politics in the

harem Harem (Persian: حرمسرا ''haramsarā'', ar, حَرِيمٌ ''ḥarīm'', "a sacred inviolable place; harem; female members of the family") refers to domestic spaces that are reserved for the women of the house in a Muslim family. A hare ...

between

Jagat Gosaini Manavati Bai, also spelled Manvati Bai, (13 May 1573 – 8 April 1619), better known by her title, Jagat Gosain (), was the second wife and the empress consort of the fourth Mughal emperor Jahangir and the mother of his successor, Shah Jahan ...

Ruqaiya Sultan Begum Ruqaiya Sultan Begum (alternative spelling: Ruqayya, Ruqayyah) ( – 1626) was the first and chief wife of the third Mughal emperor, Akbar. Ruqaiya was a first cousin of her husband and was a Mughal princess by birth. Her father, Hindal Mi ...

and other women, the rivals of Akbar like

Malik Amber Malik Ambar (1548 – 13 May 1626) was a Siddi military leader and prime minister who became a kingmaker and de facto ruler of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the Deccan region of India. Born in the Adal Sultunate, in present-day Ethiopia, Mal ...

, Chand Bibi and

Rana Pratap Pratap Singh I, popularly known as Maharana Pratap (c. 9 May 1540 – 19 January 1597), was a king of Mewar from the Sisodia dynasty. Pratap became a folk hero for his military resistance against the expansionism of the Mughal Empire under ...

and the political turmoil in Akbar's court between

Abul Fazl Abul is an Arabic masculine given name. It may refer to: * Abul Kalam Azad * Abul A'la Maududi * Abul Khair (disambiguation), several people * Abul Abbas (disambiguation), several people * Abul Hasan * Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi * Abu'l-Fazl ibn ...

, Mirza Ghias Beg and Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana

Cast

Uday Tikekar Uday Tikekar (born 4 December 1960) is an Indian film and television actor. He began his career in Marathi theatre, also putting up performances in Hindi theatre. He is married to classical singer Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar, who is a 2-time Natio ...

as Emperor

Deepika Amin Deepika Amin (born Deepika Deshpande) is an Indian actress who appears in Hindi films. She is known for her roles in the films '' Fan, Raanjhanaa and'' ''Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.'' She has also worked in the TV shows ''Farmaan'' and ''Tash ...

as Empress

, Akbar's first wife and Padshah Begum. *

Karanvir Sharma Karanvir Sharma (born 18 September 1985) is a Hindi film, web and television actor. He is widely known for portraying Shaurya Sabherwal in '' Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani.'' Career He debuted with the film ''Sadda Adda''. Other film roles incl ...

Sudhanshu Pandey Sudhanshu Pandey is an Indian singer, film and television actor best known for portraying Vanraj Shah in '' Anupamaa'' and '' Anupama: Namaste America''. Career Sudhanshu Pandey was first reported in the media for being a part of India’s firs ...

as Prince

(

Emperor Jahangir Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (30 August 1569 – 28 October 1627), known by his imperial name Jahangir (; ), was the fourth Mughal Emperor, who ruled from 1605 until he died in 1627. He was named after the Indian Sufi saint, Salim Chishti. Ear ...

), Akbar's eldest son * Charu Shankar as Mehrunissa ( Empress Nur Jahan), wife of Ali Quli Sher Afgan and illicit lover of Prince Salim. She eventually marries her lover, the emperor Jehangir. *

Neetha Shetty Neetha Shetty is an Indian television actress. She has starred in the TV series ''Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann'' as Gauri, one of the Garodia sisters, and '' in Kahiin To Hoga'' as Dr. Archita. Career Neetha has played the role of ''Sanjana'' in ...

as Maan Bai, Salim's first wife and mother of Prince Khusrau. * Shaynam Ladakhi as Mehmood, Nur Jahan's brother and Hoshiyar's lover. * Nayani Dixit as

, Salim's second wife and later Padshah Begum and the mother of Prince Khurram (future Emperor

Shah Jahan Shihab-ud-Din Muhammad Khurram (5 January 1592 – 22 January 1666), better known by his regnal name Shah Jahan I (; ), was the fifth emperor of the Mughal Empire, reigning from January 1628 until July 1658. Under his emperorship, the Mugha ...

). *

Jannat Zubair Rahmani Jannat Zubair Rahmani (born 29 August 2001) is an Indian actress who predominantly acts in Hindi-language television shows and films. She is best known for portraying Kashi in ''Kashi – Ab Na Rahe Tera Kagaz Kora'', Phulwa in ''Phulwa'' and P ...

as Young Mehrunissa * KC Shankar as Ali Quli (Sher Afghan), a nobleman and husband of Mehrunnisa, who hates Prince Salim because the latter is Mehrunnisa's illicit lover *

Pawan Chopra Pawan Chopra is an Indian actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and televisio ...

as Mirza Ghias Beg, Mehrunnisa's father *

Suparna Marwah Suparna Marwah, is an Indian TV and film actress, known for her work in the films '' Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge'' and ''Mere Brother Ki Dulhan''. She appeared on TV's some mega-projects like ''Mahi Way'', which was produced by film producers A ...

as Asmat Begum, Mehrunnisa's mother * Gurpreet Saini as Prince

Murad Murad or Mourad ( ar, مراد) is an Arabic name. It is also common in Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Turkish, Persian, and Berber as a male given name or surname and is commonly used throughout the Muslim world and Middle East. Etymology It ...

, second son of Akbar * Mokshad Dodwani as Prince

Daniyal Daniyal ( ar, دانيال) was a Palestinian village in the Ramle Subdistrict. It was depopulated during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War on July 10, 1948, by the Yiftach Brigade under the first phase of Operation Dani. It was located 5 km eas ...

, third son of Akbar *

Bikramjeet Kanwarpal Major Bikramjeet Kanwarpal (29 August 1968 1 May 2021) was an Indian film and television actor. A retired army officer, Kanwarpal had played supporting roles in many films and television serials. Kanwarpal shared screen space with actor Anil K ...

Abu'l-Fazl Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, also known as Abul sharma, Abu'l Fadl and Abu'l-Fadl 'Allami (14 January 1551 – 22 August 1602), was the grand vizier of the Mughal emperor Akbar, from his appointment in 1579 until his death in 1602. He was the aut ...

, a beloved friend, advisor and courtier of Emperor Akbar * Nagesh Salwan as Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana, a courtier of Akbar and Salim who later supports prince Khusrau in his rebellion against his father Salim (Emperor Jehangir) *

Kavin Dave Kavin Dave (born 12 November 1984) is an Indian film and television actor. He works in Bollywood and Gujarati films. Dave made his big screen debut in the movie ''Mumbai Meri Jaan'' in 2008. This was followed by further successful films includ ...

Qutubuddin Koka Shaykh Khūbū ( fa, ), better known as Quṭb ad-Dīn Khān Kokah ( fa, ; 13 August 1569 – 20 May 1607) was the Mughal subahdar (provincial governor) of Bengal Subah during the reign of the emperor Jahangir. He was appointed governor of Benga ...

, courtier loyal to Salim, appointed commander-in-chief after Salim becomes Emperor *

Omkar Kapoor Omkar Kapoor is an Indian actor who works in the Bollywood film industry. He began his performing career as a child artist and worked in films like ''Judwaa'', ''Hero No. 1, Hero No.1'' and ''Judaai (1997 film), Judaai''. He made his Bollywood ...

Mahabat Khan Mahabat Khan ( ur, مهابت خان) (full title ''Mahabat Khan Khan-e-Khanan Sipah-Salar Zamana Beg Kabuli)'', born Zamana Beg (died 1634), was a prominent Mughal general and statesman, perhaps best known for his coup against the Mughal Empero ...

, courtier loyal to Salim, appointed Grand Vazir (Wazir) after Salim becomes Emperor * Ravy Sharma as

Abu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan Abu'l-Hasan ( 1569 - 12 June 1641) entitled by the Mughal emperor Jahangir as Asaf Khan, was the ''Grand Vizier'' (Prime minister) of the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He previously served as the ''vakil'' (the highest Mughal administrative off ...

, brother of Mehrunissa, father of Arjumand Banu Begum (

Mumtaz Mahal Mumtaz Mahal (/'/; ), born Arjumand Banu Begum (27 April 1593 – 17 June 1631) was the empress consort of the Mughal Empire from 19 January 1628 to 17 June 1631 as the chief consort of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The Taj Mahal in Agra, oft ...

) * Ashraf Nagoo as Hoshiyar Khan, Mehmood's lover. *

Ashnoor Kaur Ashnoor Kaur (born 3 May 2004) is an Indian actress. She is best known for her acting in several television serials including '' Jhansi Ki Rani'', '' Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai'' and ''Patiala Babes''. In 2018, she made her Bollywood debut with ...

as Arjumand Banu Begum (

) * Rupali Krishnarao as Sharif un-Nissa (

Nadira Nadira is a given name common in Asian countries. It may refer to Given name * Nadira (actress), an Indian actress of the 1950s and 1960s, best known for her roles as a temptress * Nadira (Pakistani actress), Pakistani actress in Punjabi and Urdu ...

), a courtesan from Lahore *Devansh Dixit as Shah Jahan

Production

The series was shot over a period of six months in

Bikaner Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. Formerly the capital of ...

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern si ...

, with the

Laxmi Niwas Palace Lalgarh Palace is a palace and heritage hotel in Bikaner, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, built for Sir Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, between 1902 and 1926. Laxmi Niwas Palace is a part of Lalgarh Palace but it has been given on lease and ...

acting as a substitute for Emperor Akbar's palace in

Lahore Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city. ...

. Costumes for the series have been designed by Pia Benegal, the daughter of director

Shyam Benegal Shyam Benegal (born 14 December 1934) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and documentary filmmaker. Often regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema, he is widely considered as one of the greatest filmmakers post 1970s. He has received ...

. Charu Shankar made her Indian television debut with ''Siyaasat''. She described how she bagged the lead role, "I had read all three books in the Taj Mahal trilogy and liked them. The producers called me and said that they were trying to make a

Game of Thrones ''Game of Thrones'' is an American fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for HBO. It is an adaptation of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', a series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, the first ...

-style series out of it, to which I said, "Excellent. What role do you want me for?" And that is when I got to know that it was for Mehrunissa ur Jahan's birth name I was driving at that moment and I almost banged my car out of excitement." Shankar described how she prepared for the role of Nur Jahan. "I had a month to prepare for the role before we went to Bikaner, which is where we shot the series. I happened to be doing an art history course at the National Museum at that time and I spent it at the gallery studying Mughal miniatures and trying to imagine the world that Mehrunissa lived in." The show has been shot across various scenic locales in Rajasthan and real palaces of Bikaner. Siyaasat brings alive the decadent lifestyle, architecture, art, and stories of the Mughal royalty.

References

External links

* *{{IMDb title, tt6847292, Siyaasat Indian television series 2014 Indian television series debuts Indian historical television series Indian period television series Hindi-language television shows Indian drama television series Epic TV original programming Television shows based on Indian novels Mughal Empire in fiction Cultural depictions of Akbar Television series set in the 17th century Cultural depictions of Jahangir