Very caricature-ish first episode!

I love Sharad Malhotra after his portrayal of Veer in Naagin 5 and waited eagerly for his new show to start.

But for me, the episode was a let down. Keeping aside the cringy special effects, I just couldn’t relate to the characters at all. In one episode, Baxi goes to war, gets defeated, loses his son, plans for another war. All the while, his wife keeps crying or looks sorrowful 🤦🏻‍♀️ The baby was clearly a doll, which could be seen in quite a few portions of the show. The couple had zero chemistry. In fact, not to be unkind, but Sulagna looked like Sharad’s elder sister

I don’t know about you but I can’t get behind Sharad as a Daddy figure, who only does puja, fights in terribly executed war scenes and prays for a child. I liked him more as a flamboyant young Veer than this older goody two shoes Senapati figure. Like where are the shades in his character? Give me some grey and I might be interested 🤔

The warrior Princess Kalyani climbs a mountain in a jiffy, all the while looking dainty and not a hair out of place. She also had KZK’s Prerna ka dupatta for effect. Later, she does a stupid dance where she looks stiff and not graceful at all.

The British look like clowns, who walk in packs holding their rifles. In the ending scene, Kalyani throws some gulaal in the air and the same clown gang surrounds her with at least 5 rifles pointed up towards her face at close range. Like WTF?! 😕

The awful music didn’t help matters either. It gave me a headache 🤦🏻‍♀️ I found myself fast forwarding many scenes, because they were shot terribly and dramatised.

I don’t know if I will give this a chance. Will probably wait for some more progress and social media feedback before braving the terrible special effects and character portrayal again.

Your review is too well written. I have the same thoughts regarding the first episode.

I had high hopes too and I couldn't even get myself to finish the first episode. I completely agree with most of your points!

While chemistry between Sharad and Sulagna is not really important cause she is not FL and the show doesn't want people to root for them I see the elder sister point quite clearly but it doesn't really bother me.

sigh... I should think again before getting excited.

This theme had so much scope. The casting of the female leads looks abysmal. A known FL may have worked better.

Orissa is by itself less explored in Indian TV. They had an epic opportunity to create something fresh and exciting. I don’t get the need for unnecessary drama. Every story needs drama, but the picturization needs to be realistic.

Ah, how I miss Sharad’s Veer avatar I just can’t connect with sanskari Dad figures.

Originally posted by: lovereading14

I had high hopes too and I couldn't even get myself to finish the first episode. I completely agree with most of your points!

While chemistry between Sharad and Sulagna is not really important cause she is not FL and the show doesn't want people to root for them I see the elder sister point quite clearly but it doesn't really bother me.

sigh... I should think again before getting excited.

Spot on review...

Totally agree with your post.. except for the dance and music part. I felt the dance wasn’t that bad… not bad for a TV show. Of course, since we are used to Bollywood’s grander portrayal of historical characters, this one is definitely sub par its’ silver screen counterparts. Music also isn’t that great, but I am willing to overlook it with the other glaring VFX effects which definitely made one cringe. Also, I felt they showed too much in the 1st episode.. which made it difficult to enjoy it.

Also, there is always a risk with such historical shows. Everything should be top notch, otherwise it’s a free downward spiral. Also, the timing at 6.30 isn’t helping it much. The shows at this time don’t usually do very well. Unless, they are your usual saas bahu, or obsessed lover stories.

Loved the Prerna dupatta observation. 🤣 What was the need for that clownish entry scene? Since she is a warrior princess, a Bhagwa dupatta would have made more sense.

Yaar, I remember Prithviraj Chauhan. The way that show held its own for years without crazy special effects 👏 It made Rajat Tokas a household name. His character’s friendship with his comrades and the love angle with Samyukta was adorable. Why can’t things be kept simpler and heartfelt? As per me, it’s much more important to get the flow of the story right. The rest of the jazz can wait.

It’s going to fail at the 6:30 slot, not because the slot sucks but because the story and characters have no impact. Sharad’s character is missing that spark, which is necessary to run a love story 🤔 I hope it improves with passing time, but he needs to lose the sanskari Daddy vibes fast.

The best part in that Prerna dupatta was the sheer cakewalk the FL made it look like. Thoda sa pant kar legi, struggle dikh jayega toh will she become less of a warrior princess?

Originally posted by: flutterby

Totally agree with your post.. except for the dance and music part. I felt the dance wasn’t that bad… not bad for a TV show. Of course, since we are used to Bollywood’s grander portrayal of historical characters, this one is definitely sub par its’ silver screen counterparts. Music also isn’t that great, but I am willing to overlook it with the other glaring VFX effects which definitely made one cringe. Also, I felt they showed too much in the 1st episode.. which made it difficult to enjoy it.

Also, there is always a risk with such historical shows. Everything should be top notch, otherwise it’s a free downward spiral. Also, the timing at 6.30 isn’t helping it much. The shows at this time don’t usually do very well. Unless, they are your usual saas bahu, or obsessed lover stories.

Loved the Prerna dupatta observation. 🤣 What was the need for that clownish entry scene? Since she is a warrior princess, a Bhagwa dupatta would have made more sense.

Today’s (second) episode was a little better, yet found faults with their enactment and execution. I wish they had brought in Eng actors to enact the British commander Fletcher. Obviously it’s a fair skinned Indian actor clowning around with a highly fake accent which is more Indian and less British, and this is why his scenes with the Maharaja were more funny than menacing. Then, it is revealed that he had some Indian connection, which he hates, and is determined to put an end to his Indianness. Still couldn’t make sense of half of what the Eng commander said to his supervisor👎🏼 with their fake, weird accents.

Also, am sure that Fletcher will take advantage of Baxi’s step brother to betray him in future episodes..

I haven’t been able to brave another episode. Kudos to you for giving it one more chance. I will wait for a while before braving the show again 😆

Originally posted by: flutterby

Today’s (second) episode was a little better, yet found faults with their enactment and execution. I wish they had brought in Eng actors to enact the British commander Fletcher. Obviously it’s a fair skinned Indian actor clowning around with a highly fake accent which is more Indian and less British, and this is why his scenes with the Maharaja were more funny than menacing. Then, it is revealed that he had some Indian connection, which he hates, and is determined to put an end to his Indianness. Still couldn’t make sense of half of what the Eng commander said to his supervisor👎🏼 with their fake, weird accents.

Also, am sure that Fletcher will take advantage of Baxi’s step brother to betray him in future episodes..

Originally posted by: gurl-enchanted

I haven’t been able to brave another episode. Kudos to you for giving it one more chance. I will wait for a while before braving the show again 😆

Arre, don’t force yourself.. if you can’t.. read the Written update on some online website and see scenes that interest you. 😆 I am impressed by Sharad Malhotra.. whatever the scene, he is working hard. Others are so so. I would still like to give them a chance…some time to prove themselves. It isn’t easy to play period characters.. Veterans can slip into such character’s skin easily… newcomers like the actress playing the FL need some time.