Looking at the first teaser of SonyLiv’s forthcoming political drama Maharani it is clear as daylight that the series is based on Rabri Devi’s ascent to the Chief Minister’s throne after her husband was disqualified from contesting elections.
In fact sources in the know say the series was planned as a real-life bio-pic. But with the new Information & Broadcasting Ministry’s guidelines, the names of real politicians had to be camouflaged. Hence Rabri Devi becomes Rani Bharti.
Actor Sohum Shah recently seen playing Harshad Mehta(renamed Hemant Shah)’s brother in the Big Bull plays Lalu Yadav.
Subhash Kapoor who has created the series seems fascinated by powerful women politicians of North India. His last directorial Madame Chief Minister featured Richa Chadha as former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayavati, though again her name was changed.
As for Huma Qureshi as the Rabri Devi doppelanger , going by the teaser she has worked hard to transform into a cowbelt politician. How much she has succeeded we shall soon know.
Speaking excitedly about her part of the politician, Huma says, “It’s not often that you get to portray a character that lets you explore so many layers as a performer. Rani Bharti has been a delight to play. She starts off as someone whom we all know and relate to but what she goes onto become is someone few of us can aspire for. It has been a wonderful experience of working with such a talented cast and I can’t wait for my viewers to watch the series.”