The Empire Review: This Show is Visually Spectacular and Extraordinary Performances This Show Rule The OTT

Star Cast: Kunal Kapoor, Dino Morea, Shabana Azmi, Drashti Dhami, Aditya Seal, Rahul Dev, Imaad Shah, Sahher Bambba & ensemble.

Creator: Nikkhil Advani

Director: Mitakshara Kumar

Streaming On: Disney Plus Hotstar

Rating: 4/5 Stars (four stars) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

At a time when there are debates all over the rewriting of our history, Disney Hotstar has the story of the Mughal Empire that was central to the history of medieval India, The Empire. Probably the first season of this six-season run story was released today. It is the story of the life of Babur, the first Mughal emperor to come to India from North/Central Asia.

The Empire Review: The Story

Present-day Uzbekistan was under Turko-Mongols in the 14th-15th centuries and Babur’s story begins with the kingdoms of Samarkand and Fergana located there. Babar’s father tells him that far away from here is India, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The father shows Babur the dream of going and settling there because life on the land of Turko-Mongols-Afghans has never-ending difficulties and there is a tough struggle with the tyrannical enemies. Whereas India is the paradise of this earth.

The Empire is based on ‘Riders from the North’, the first episode of Alex Rutherford’s series of six historical novels ‘Empire of the Muggle’. It begins with the First Battle of Panipat in April 1526, where Zaheeruddin-Muhammad-Babur, who has almost laid down his arms in the field, is remembering the journey of his life. Where did you go from and where did you reach? The story reaches Samarkand and Fargana in flashback. Where after the death of the father, 14-year-old Babar is placed on the throne of Fargana by Nani (Shabana Azmi), but the eyes of Fargana’s enemy Shaibani Khan (Dino Morea) are fixed here. He wants to capture both Fargana and Samarkand. Babar likes peace. He cares about family and people. He doesn’t want bloodshed. He also remembers the dream shown by his father. Babar proposes to Shaibani Khan that if he is allowed to leave the fort along with his family and well-wishers, he will be gone forever. Shaibani agrees but on the condition that Babur leave his beautiful sister Khanzada (Drishti Dhami) there with her.

The story of Babar in the web series shows the ups and downs and struggles in his life. How he came out of the icy-hill-hard-barbaric area and reached India via Kabul. What was his family and political struggle like? Apart from the grandmother, how did the sisters and begums affect his life? His fate with Babar is also mentioned repeatedly in the series. Babar himself is confused whether he really deserves to be a king because he is not cruel, cynical, tyrannical and thirsty for the blood of others, despite being a warrior by profession. He comes across as a soft-hearted, thoughtful and philosophical person time and again. Even at the last moment, there is a war going on within him as to who should hand over his legacy to two capable sons, Humayun and Kamran.

The Review and Analysis

The Empire is a must watch series. Each episode averages 40 minutes or more. The eight-episode series has been made lavishly and will definitely make its place in the world of OTT. History may not be understood here in depth but can be understood partially. Of course, it takes some time to adjust to the opening episodes as many of the characters and cities are not familiar. If they do not know what their place in history is, then they remain at a distance for a long time. The Empire script is good but with the dialogues it is difficult at times. But the biggest problem is that how the time passed is not very clear. Starting in 1526, the story reaches back 30 years. The detail of these last 30 years knocks. Especially looking at the characters whose make-up, get-up doesn’t change over the years. The glow of faces and youth remains as it is.

The series mainly rests on the shoulders of Kunal Kapoor, Drashti Dhami, Dino Morea and Shabana Azmi. Kunal has done a good job as Babar and his emotional scenes are good at many places. Drashti Dhami looks beautiful and has brought to life the character of Khanzada, Babur’s sister. His role here is very important. Shabana Azmi leaves an impact as Babar’s tough hearted Nani. But amidst all this, the actor who attracts the most attention is Dino Morea. While suffering atrocities in childhood, the stone became heart cruel Shabani Khan turned Dino has breathed life into his role. The emotional scenes with Drishti Dhami have also been beautifully played. Eventually he remembers. Other actors including Rahul Dev, Imad Shah, Aditya Seal (Humayun) have also done their limited roles well. But especially the casting of many characters, including Babur’s Begums, does not affect. Mitakshara Kumar as a director has kept the story closer to the emotions than to the history. The battle scenes have been shot in an engaging and splendid manner. Camera work is superb. Set and costume designing is also good.

The Empire Review: The Performances

The OTT content just isn’t dependent upon any face value now, first Rip-off “Scam1992” proved that and now this series is proving it too, there is no such thing as a one from the A-Listers of Bollywood and nonetheless the series is filled with Superb Performances. Dino Morea is a rockstar and this one is his greatest efficiency to this point, he seems fabulous, his dialogue delivery, expressions, everything seems so authentic and real, he’s simply dwelling in his character. He is without doubt one of the greatest performers within the collection.

This role goes to be the turning point of Kunal Kapoor’s Profession, he’s too good in the series and this role shows his actual potential, the way he talks, the way in which he walks, and the way in which he manages his feelings have been fairly superb and it was so soothing to see. Drashti Dhami seems good too, she seems gorgeous, cute and so intense on the identical time, she’s going to shock you along with her character transformation and he or she is ruling within the collection. Shabana Azmi is good as all the time. She was excellent along with her dialogue deliveries.

The Empire Review: The Verdict

The Empire is one of the most perfect show ever made every series has some loopholes but after watch the story and visual effects the show must loved by everyone. From the performances or story telling the show will stuck. This series defiantly is India Game of Thrones, the first season is fantastic and five more to come if the series will become successful as makers want. The scale of the series very huge but some times the VFX looks dull but overall the series must watched for epic saga and historical war drama lovers.