Razia Sultan

Not sure if it's fair to review given that I didn't even make it past 10 episodes...but I will review it anyway to say this has such a great premise, why isn't there a better show or movie about this historical figure?

I will explain why I couldn't get through this show. First of all, let there be no pretenses: this is a melodramatic soap. Normally, I don't like those, but sometimes, the historical context can make up for the melodrama. For example, I was able to go through several seasons of Downton Abbey before it got too much (although Downton Abbey really did try to hide its soapy melodrama for a long time and then just couldn't anymore). There is also the Turkish soap The Magnificent Century about a ruler of the Ottoman Empire, which is a closer example to this particular show. I couldn't finish The Magnificent Century because somehow the whole show was not on Netflix, but if it becomes available, I would definitely complete it.

The difference between The Magnificent Century and Razia Sultan is this - in the Magnificent Century the intrigue was was far more interesting and there was more going on. Razia Sultan, kind of like a typical South Asian soap drags out its plotlines to no end and spends so much time on reaction shots of people's faces that I just couldn't muster enough patience to watch. Razia Sultan is also less interested in presenting complex characters. The characters in The Magnificent Century, despite their melodrama, were complicated characters, ones designed to be loved and hated at the same time. But in Razia Sultan the show goes to extreme lengths to idealize the good characters way too much and villainize the bad characters to comical extents.

The other reason why this show was a disappointment was because despite everything, the first 1-2 episodes were actually rather good because of the subject matter. It directly dealt with the issue of the way in which women were not viewed as equal to men and despite the melodrama, I was very open to watching that content, to the point that I was thinking "I would love for this to air back home so my womenfolk can watch this kind of trash unlike the other kind of trash they watch". And then the story got so wrapped up in the plot of the sultan's conniving mistress that nothing of the subject mater that I liked remained. I'm sure it would have come back eventually, but who knows for how long and with how much emphasis. And so I just abandoned the show.

But I hope they make another show or a movie about Razia Sultan in which they feel more comfortable leaning closer to historical accuracy.

This is a historical drama set in 1300's Delhi. It has the typical court intrigue you can expect from "Game of Thrones" type series. I found the dialogue and acting exciting and the costumes and sets gorgeous - if not a little fairy tale like. The best part is this compelling story keeps you interested without the fake sex and gratuitous violence so common in Hollywood. I'm assuming this is because this is not a Hollywood production - it's Bollywood. Charming, innocent yet a lot of history packed in to a short episode. There is some cheesiness - the slow motion shots, the courtesan behavior...but overall you will be delighted at the novelty that exposes the awful stuff that American's are subject to in comparison.

Beautiful historic romance adventure drama set in the 1300's during the Slave Dynasty of India. Mostly based on fact, this story highlights the life and times of the Emperor Iltutmish and his family and hanger- ons. Funny at times, sad at others and sensual at special moments too, this story grips you and unlike many of the other Indian serials, keeps your attention riveted on the characters. Love, love, love Mirza and Razia and their beautiful theme song; it is both spiritual and sensual at the same time. Kudos to the all the actors and directors for bringing this piece of ancient Indian history to our attention. I strongly recommend that you watch it!

This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It ranks right up there with John Travoltas Battlefield Earth. I get that it's Bollywood, but I've seen better movies from South Korea. The ONLY saving grace of this flick were the costumes! Very colorful and elaborate! Acting was pretty sad and the make up was a little to thick on some characters. Razia's assistant was a riot to watch during the Tiger scene. Give that girl a gallon of paint and let her go to town shaking it up. Worst case of fake nervousness I have ever seen-LOL. The actress who played Razia was beautiful though. Gorgeous brown eyes under that veil made her appear mysterious.

We found this show to be captivating from the beginning to the end of Part 1. Unfortunately, I cannot find Part 2 in the US, if any of you knows how to watch it, please post on the community.

The acting is fantastic, the music captivating, the costumes ....well just out of a fairy tail, the intrigues are numerous, abundant and varied! this show will keep you on your "toes" until the end and it is packed with a lot of historical details, all very interesting to know.

The show, like so many Bollywood productions has also a deeper meaning and so many powerful but well covered emotional and spiritual messages. It is so refreshing to watch a show which has some violence and sensuality but which refrains from "clashing them" at your face. We can't wait to have the second part available. If you are in Netflix, please make sure you fill a title request for the second part so we can all enjoy it.