First episode of ‘Badshah Begum’ garners mixed reviews by fans

The Khizer Idrees directorial political period drama, Badshah Begum, aired its first episode starring Zara Noor Abbas, Farhan Saeed, Ali Rehman Khan and Yasir Hussain in pivotal roles. Penned by Saji Gul, the dynastic politics drama took Twitter by a storm with netizens raging about the convincing ruthlessness of the characters and the depth in their personalities, with a spotlight on Saeed’s acting versatility shining through the episode with his Pir avatar.

However while the episode gathered praise for its gripping storyline, fans were disappointed for its lack of trigger warnings given the amount of violence displayed in the series. Abbas, essaying the titular role of Jehan Ara, recites an English poem in the episode that did not sit well with the masses. Another major setback, just from the first episode, was how the two royal siblings are chasing after the same man.

Khan and Abbas playing college students was also a bit over the top for netizens. 

It seems like the episode pulled the viewers in for its intriguing character sketches and royal setting, but will it be able to hold the attention with an authentic experience of power and politics in a fantastical world?

Here’s what netizens had to say about the first episode.

Seriously, what was that? 

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