Taj divided by blood is a historical drama show directed by ron scalpello.
Naseeruddin shah and aashim gulati are the two bright spots in the otherwise dull acting department. Both of them bring the fragile yet compassionate male presence in the show. Taha shah badussha kept screaming throughout, making it unbearable to watch him. Only scene invloving him providing me comfort is when he asks and contemplates about what he needs to do to gain akbar's praise. Aditi rao hydari has been mostly wasted in the show. None of the other characters infuse life into the characters.
The writing treats the characters as pieces and not humans. Daniyal's mother problems could have been so meticulously designed giving him so much depth but alas! The plot twist surrounding this does work well though. Murad was almost devoid of any emotion other than rage and screams. The screenplay is entertaining no doubt but is not engaging and nuanced. The middle episodes are stretched without much substance which give the feel of a soap opera.
The set and production design is marvellous. The palace and locations can transport you in the medieval india. The action set pieces are very loud and amateurishly staged. The vfx work is patchy here and there.
The dialogues are well written and interpreted. It could have been more effective if the characters saying them had a better dialogue delivery. The cinematography looks monotonous and stifled.
The show highlights the frailties and faults of the mughal dynasty quite successfully. Familial feuds were a common occurrence in most of the dynasties, especially in the mughal family. The concept of harem and multiple wives have been criticised heavily through slight pokes. The mughals used the rajputs as their source of false sense of integrity, using them as cover for their barbarism and social weddings. Maharana pratap has been cherished in this series. Akbar was the most lenient of the mughal rulers, and he really thought about the hindus but bound by his surrounding barbaric muslim courtsmen, he could not do much.
The background score is grand and pushes the show towards its good. The strings, and operal sounds work well in favour of the show.
