Review: 'Taj: Divided by Blood' is a bold idea with splendor aesthetics but has a cluttered screenplay

Taj: Divided By Blood review

Isn't it intrepid to pick on a highly classic and salient chapter of history, 'the Mughal dynasty' and make a fictional account surrounding the historic legends, giving it a touch of modernization and westernization? Well, this is exactly what the director Ron Scalpello went for with ZEE5's upcoming show 'Taj: Divided by Blood'. Having had the chance to watch the show, this is what I feel about it.

The Plot

For starters, yes, it's the same people we have heard about, being talked about in the show. There is Akbar, Birbal, Jodha, Anarkali, Salim, and a myriad of known and unknown personalities. But, the show is all about the dramatization and fictionalisation of the history textbook you ignored in the 10th grade while making you nostalgic about the names. The narrative focuses on Akbar (Naseeruddin Shah) and the succession conflict between his three sons Salim (Aashim Gulati), Murad (Taha Shah), and Daniyal (Shubham Mehra) while playing on the heartstrings of the emergence and demise of the many Mughal Empire eras, portraying both the magnificence and ferocity of the empire.

Over-Dramatization of the History

The idea to build on the first episode of the series with a steamy sensual sequence wherein Salim is getting all sensual with two women must have undoubtedly taken the director's imagination on a wild journey. These scenarios are just a few of many that follow. The character Daniyal is presented as gay.

A stunning twist involving Anarkali (Aditi Rao Hydari) makes it seem as though the Mughal dynasty would have been into Bollywood. We witness Maan Singh questioning the three brothers in a sequence, and the way it was staged with exaggerated effects reminded me of the interrogation scenes in Crime Patrol episodes. The creators have made an effort to touch on the real-life scenarios that encircle the characters, but there is a fine line between injecting fantasy and retaining actuality, which at a point is dropped leaving you abstruse.  

What Doesn't Work

The narrative arc involves too many disjointed subplots, which results in a weak screenplay. The makers tried to accommodate everything, from infidelity to homosexuality to adding erotic appeal, but the ultimate product was chaos. The pace is a big problem, and the story occasionally becomes monotonous. While there are plot twists that will keep you intrigued, you'd want to skip forward and get the meat of the story rather than watch the entire episode develop.

Aesthetically pleasing cinematography

Certainly, the premise's setting will cause you to experience a sense of deja vu. There will be several times when you'll think you're watching Jodha Akbar. Nonetheless, the splendour, the magnificent settings, the fort, the vibrant colour palette, and the costumes deserve special attention. The wide shots of the intense scenes and the bird's-eye views of the battle scenes were both worth a gander.

The Performances

Indeed, this is what keeps the screenplay from falling apart more often than not. You will see some powerful performances that will keep you interested all the way through. As Akbar, Naseeruddin Shah exhibits all the qualities that are required of him: he is harsh, emotional, modest, and manipulative. He is the show's strongest ingredient and the one who completely owns it. 

Salim, played by Aashim Gulati, is a tender-hearted lover who is consumed by lust and alcoholism. He lifts the character by giving a fantastic performance and making the audience sympathise with him.

As Murad, Taha Shah Badussha is nasty, pompous, and rugged. You could feel that he is overdoing it at times, but Taha really does step into the character's shoes and performs admirably.

One of the best character arcs was given to Daniyal played by Shubham Mehra, who evolves from a vulnerable young boy into a vengeful brother. He performs beautifully and leaves a lasting impression.

Aditi Rao Hydari wasn't there, as was assumed. She receives insufficient screen time, which doesn't do justice to the part she plays. She is poised and collected, but she could have fared far better. The rest of the characters are good with their parts and holds the plot with their performances.

What Could Have Actually Hit Off

Salim and Anarkali's love story was one aspect that was weak but could have made the show worthwhile. Although being such a significant part of history, the sub-plot garnered very little construct and was not touched-upon with the necessary compassion and attention.

The Verdict

Taj is a bold and innovative premise with real performances, but it falters because of its disjointed screenplay and dull pacing. It is undeniably visually spectacular, and the magnificent landscape does draw you in.

Rating- ** 1/2 stars (2.5/5)