Huma Qureshi, The Maharani Of OTT?

The crescendo of applause for Season 4 of Sony Liv ‘Maharani’ series is still reverberating. How did a complex political drama, set in the BIMARU list headed by Bihar cast a magnetic spell on viewers? Most would say it is Huma Qureshi’s smash hit performance. Rightfully so …rarely does India’s political ethos provide the backdrop for a woman to seize power, hold on to it and keep her family brood together …though her husband was murdered and she is framed as the killer. Suddenly you find the Bihar political setting powerfully manipulated and riveting ..just when you think you have decoded Maharani as Rabri Devi, Lalu Yadav’s proxy CM and expect the venality of Bihar politics, it’s continuous state of corruption, caste wars and criminalised politics , the plot takes several twists and turns. Indian cinema has definitely produced a brilliant series that mirrors our politics and politicians, the greed for power and almost vampire-like blood thirst. Is our realpolitik this shockingly complex and convoluted? The answer is a resounding yes…in fact the makers have truly succeeded in throwing the audience off the scent of real-life persons. The political and power hunger jousting and fencing is a treat to those immersed in the drama of politics. True to the title, Huma Qureshi straddles the series like a Maharani, tall, statuesque, compelling, dignified, yet so relatable to a Bihari housewife. Any wonder that women outnumbered men in the just concluded election? Maharani is their role model … she challenges every effort to box her into a stereotype “gharelu” woman. Subhash Kapoor! The open-ended Season 4 definitely raises hopes for yet another season. Following her total devastation after losing her son Jai and the bid for PM post, will Maharani rise like a Phoenix and avenge her tormentors?