Badshah Begum (TV series)

Badshah Begum (Urdu: بادشاہ بیگم, lit. 'Padshah Begum') is a 2022 Pakistani television historical drama series produced by Rafay Rashdi and Momina Duraid under the banners of Rafay Rashdi Productions and MD Productions, written by Saji Gul and directed by Khizer Idrees. It revolves around the era when Mughal Empire was in power and the concept of "Badshah Begum" had the most priority. The story's main lead is Jahan Ara (Zara Noor) who was the most famous Badshah Begum of Mughal Era, because of her bravery and influence. The story revolves around politics, power lust and rivalry among siblings to get the throne. It features Zara Noor Abbas, Farhan Saeed, Hamza Sohail, Ali Rehman Khan, Yasir Hussain, Shahzad Nawaz, Komal Meer and Saman Ansari in prominent roles. The series first aired on Hum TV on 1 March 2022 and the last episode aired 18 October 2022.

For the Mughal empress, see Badshah Begum.

Badshah Begum
GenreDark
Historical
Political
Thriller
Based onJahanara Begum
Written bySaji Gul
Directed byKhizer Idrees
Starring
Country of originPakistan
Original languages
  • Urdu
  • Sindhi (Minor)
No. of episodes31
Production
Executive producerRafay Rashdi Momina Duraid
ProducerRafay Rashdi
Production locations
Running time36-41 Minutes approx
Production companiesMD Productions
Rafay Rashdi Productions
Release
Original networkHum TV
Original release1 March (2022-03-01) –
18 October 2022 (2022-10-18)

Plot

The drama is set in the fictional village of Peeraan Pur (Interior Sindh-Larkana) which tells the real concept of Gaddi and Politics. When undesired circumstances force his city-born and raised children Jahan Ara, Roshan and Shahmir to their hometown, they find themselves tangled in powerplay and politics that they never wished to be a part of. What follows is an epic tale of dynastic politics, sibling rivalry and anarchy.

Badshah Begum is based on true historical incidents which took place during the 16th and 17th centuries. The characters of Jahan Ara and Roshan Ara are based on the historical figures which lived during the Mughal Empire. They were daughters of the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Jahanara Begum and Roshanara Begum. Jahanara was the most honorable Badshah Begum of that time who established herself in the Agra Fort. The drama highlights incidents that occurred during the rule of Jahanara Begum.

Cast
Name Role Notes
Zara Noor Abbas[1] Jahan Ara Jahan Ara Shah Alam is the daughter of Pir Shah Alam and sister of Roshan Ara & Pir Shahmir & half sister to Pir Shahzaib and Pir Murad. She was throned Badshah Begum and is the love interest of Bakhtiar. Based on Jahanara Begum, a Shahzadi of the Mughal Empire, later on Badshah Begum of Mughal Empire.
Shahzad Nawaz Pir Shah Alam He was the powerful head and Pir of Peeran Pur. He has five children from two deceased wives; Shahzaib, Murad, Jahan Ara, Roshan Ara and Shahmir. The two camps of children do not get along and get into a feud that threatens to change and ruin lives. He is based on the 5th Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Saman Ansari Hakim Bi Sister of Pir Shah Alam. She was the caretaker of Badshah Begum's throne until a successor was named. She however is manipulative and wants the title of Badshah Begum for herself. The aunt of Jahan Ara, Roshan Ara, Pir Shahzaib, Pir Shahmir and Pir Murad.
Izzah Malik Hakim Bi (young)
Farhan Saeed Pir Shahzaib Pir Shah Alam's son and an heir to the Piran Pura throne, a Pir, and brother of Pir Murad. He is the half brother of Jahan Ara, Roshan Ara and Pir Shahmir. Based on Aurangzeb, a Shahzada of the Mughal Empire.
Ali Rehman Khan Bakhtiar A University friend of Jahan Ara and Roshan Ara, love interest of Jahan Ara, tied with knot for "slavery" of PeeranPur and Badshah Begum. Based on Mirza Najabat Khan.
Yasir Hussain Pir Qaisar Son of Pir Shah Alam's eldest brother and Hakim Bi's nephew. The cousin of Jahan Ara, Roshan Ara, Pir Shahzaib, Pir Shahmir and Pir Murad, he was also a Pir.
Hamza Sohail[2] Pir Shahmir The son of Pir Shah Alam and brother of Jahan Ara & Roshan Ara and half brother of Pir Shahzaib and Pir Murad. He married Gulnar. Based on Dara Shikoh.
Komal Meer Roshan Ara The daughter of Pir Shah Alam and sister of Jahan Ara & Pir Shahmir & half sister to Pir Shahzaib and Pir Murad. She was crowned Badshah Begum for a brief period. Based on Roshanara Begum.
Abul Hassan Pir Murad A Pir and Pir Shah Alam's son, brother of Pir Shahzaib and half brother of Jahan Ara. Roshan Ara and Pir Shahmir. Based on Murad Bakhsh.
Tanya Hussain[2] Zulaikha Wife of Pir Shahzaib Shah Alam
Hiba Aziz Gulnaar Peerni (Crown Princess) of Peeran Pur and wife of Pir Shahmir.
Kasim Khan Tara The love interest of Gulnaar, later killed by Murad.
Uzma Beg Bakhtiar's mother The mother of Bakhtiar.
Akbar Islam Khalifah Nawaz Zulekha's father and the father-in-law of Pir Shahzaib.
Kausar Suddiqui Second wife of Pir Shah Alam and mother of Jahan Ara, Roshan Ara and Pir Shahmeer

Episodes
  • Episode 1 | 1 March 2022
  • Episode 2 | 8 March 2022
  • Episode 3 | 15 March 2022
  • Episode 4 | 22 March 2022
  • Episode 5 | 29 March 2022
  • Episode 6 | 5 April 2022
  • Episode 7 | 12 April 2022
  • Episode 8 | 19 April 2022
  • Episode 9 | 26 April 2022
  • Episode 10 | 10 May 2022
  • Episode 11 | 17 May 2022
  • Episode 12 | 24 May 2022
  • Episode 13 | 31 May 2022
  • Episode 14 | 7 June 2022
  • Episode 15 | 14 June 2022
  • Episode 16 | 21 June 2022
  • Episode 17 | 28 June 2022
  • Episode 18 | 5 July 2022
  • Episode 19 | 19 July 2022
  • Episode 20 | 26 July 2022
  • Episode 21 | 2 August 2022
  • Episode 22 | 16 August 2022
  • Episode 23 | 23 August 2022
  • Episode 24 | 30 August 2022
  • Episode 25 | 6 September 2022
  • Episode 26 | 13 September 2022
  • Episode 27 | 20 September 2022
  • Episode 28 | 27 September 2022
  • Episode 29 | 6 October 2022
  • Episode 30 | 11 October 2022
  • Last Episode | 18 October 2022

Reception

Minutes before its launch, the serial trended at number 1 on twitter along with Zara Noor Abbas, Farhan Saeed and Yasir Hussain as well.[3] The first episode achieved decent ratings of 5.8 TRP and mixed response from audience and social media users.[4] However, while reviewing first episode, critics lauded the direction and performances of the cast members.[5] After airing 6 episodes, Youline Magazine praised the performances of almost all the actors but criticised the, writing, executional lapses and slow pace. The story was however praised stating, "On paper, the story certainly has good bones".[6]

Production

Development and casting

After making his big screen debut as producer and director, Rafay Rashdi started working on his next project in late 2017 which was written by Saji Gul. Saba Qamar was selected to play the main role.[7] It was then decided to release as a web-series with other actors until early 2019 including Faysal Quraishi, Imran Ashraf, Mohsin Abbas Haider and Gohar Rasheed.[8] Qamar was then replaced by Iman Ali[9] after which the project was shelved due to some unknown reasons. In late 2021, the work on the project restarted with Farhan Saeed revealed to be a part of the project[10] and it was changed to a television series under the banner of MD Productions of Momina Duraid and Rafay Rashdi Production.[11] Zara Noor Abbas was chosen to play the main role, earlier offered to Ali.[11][1] In early 2022, it was also announced that Yasir Hussain and Ali Rehman Khan had also joined the cast with other cast members of Saman Ansari, Shahzad Nawaz, Hamza Sohail, Komal Meer, Hiba Aziz and Abul Hassan.[11][2]

Filming and location

The principal photography began in Larkana in October 2021 with a spell of 90 days on the ancestral Haveli of the producer, Rashdi. After that, the filming also took place in Karachi.[12][13]

Release and promotion

The first teaser was released on 2 February 2022[14] while the original soundtrack was released on 24 February 2022.

The series premiered on 1 March 2022, Tuesdays with a timeslot of 08:00pm by succeeding Ibn-e-Hawwa, while Ibn-e-Hawwa moved to Saturdays, as Qissa Meherbano Ka ended.

Accolades
Year Awards Category Nominee Result Ref.
2023 Lux Style Awards Best Ensemble Play Badshah Begum Nominated [15]

References
  1. Images Staff (3 February 2022). "Zara Noor Abbas has ascended to the throne — Badshah Begum's first teaser is out now". Images.
  2. "Getting to know the younger cast of Badshah Begum". Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  3. "'Badshah Begum' has audiences on toes even before its release". Daily Times. 2 March 2022.
  4. "Amazing or predictable?: Pakistani Twitter has mixed reviews about new drama Badshah Begum". Images. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  5. Ifrah Butt (2 March 2022). "Review: Badshah Begum Is Off To A Remarkable Start". Galaxy Lollywood.
  6. Hurmat Majid (7 April 2022). "TV Drama Review: Badshah Begum: Let Down by Weak Direction and Writing". Youline Magazine.
  7. NewsBytes. "Saba Qamar to star in upcoming TV play, Badshah Begum". The News International. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  9. Images Staff (9 August 2018). "Is Iman Ali replacing Saba Qamar in upcoming serial Badshah Begum?". Dawn. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  10. "Farhan Saeed gears up for new project Badshah Begum". Bol News. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  11. "Yasir Hussain and Zara Noor Abbas to star in upcoming drama Badshah Begum". DAWN Images. 4 January 2022.
  12. Mohammad Kamran Jawaid (16 February 2022). "With no saas-bahu drama in sight, Badshah Begum wants to push the boundaries of television". DAWN Images. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  13. "Farhan Saeed, Zara Noor Abbas, Yasir Hussain to star in Badshah Begum". Cutacut. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  14. "Zara Noor Abbas takes control of the throne in 'Badshah Begum' teaser". Express Tribune. 4 February 2022.
  15. "Lux Style Awards 2023 nominations out now: Pasoori, Joyland, Mere Humsafar reign supreme". The Express Tribune. 27 September 2023.
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