Great series overall. It is a series that has my heart. I was very optimistic about it from the beginning but once I started to watch the first episode, I knew I had to binge watch it.
Mallikajan, Lajjo, Fareddan, Waheeda, Bibbojan, Shama all nailed their roles. Alamzeb's character should have been portrayed with more emotion but I think other than this, it's good.
A special appreciation for the actor who played the character of Tajdar. He made me fall in love with his character and his acting was perfect. He balanced the love story of Tajdar and Alamzeb. Their love story was my favourite part of the series.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali did a great job in portraying the lives of Tawaifs whose pain and struggle for their dignity as well as for the nation's freedom are forgotten by us.
It made me understand that what seems easy these days like having a relationship with the person we love or marrying him or her, was so tough for people earlier and much more for the Tawaifs.
It also tells the difference between prostitutes and Tawaifs. Before watching this I thought both were same but I was wrong completely. Tawaifs were more powerful and were not sex workers and also not vulnerable as they are like today. Back then, they were the Queens of art of music and dance, they were respected by everyone untill the British starting ruling and made them prostitutes and exploited them. Back then Tawaifs were the highest taxpayers and that shows the power of women and artists hold back in the days.
With this series I have great respect for all the women who fought back then and are still fighting for their dignity. Loved the series and hope you can all watch it.