Rani Bharti (Huma Qureshi), the clueless, illiterate wife of Bihar CM Bheema Singh Bharti (Sohum Shah), who was ensconced in the coveted chair by her Lalu Prasad-like husband, is now firmly in the saddle.
A major portion of the 2nd season draws on the familiar Jungle Raj politics of Bihar which is strewn with caste, corruption and communal intrigues, topped with the demand for a separate Jharkhand state.
What is pure fiction and not true to Bihar politics is the taste Rani Bharti develops for using the power to dismantle the Jungle Raj. Encouraged by her aide, IAS officer Kaveri (Kani Kusruti), CM Madam goes on a cleaning spree, choosing Bihar over her husband while he chooses to cosy up with Kirti (Anuja Sathe), the other woman in the Bharti marriage.
Between director Ravindra Gautam, Subhash Kapoor who shares story and screenplay credits with Nandan Singh and Umashankar Singh (additional screenplay and dialogues), Bihar as we all know it is re-created with identifiable authenticity. A mix of the suave as in CM-aspirant Naveen (Amit Sial) and the crude as in Gauri Shankar Pandey (Vineet Kumar) plus a sprinkling of dacoits and a conniving Governor provide variety in the characterisations.
Right up front is Rani Bharti, the sindoor-sporting CM who won’t spare her husband but will be the ideal Bihari wife by observing Teej for his long life and prosperity. The Teej showdown with the marital triangle is well played, culminating in Rani Bharti wiping off her sindoor. Dramatic fiction undoubtedly but woman power works today.
Just when you tire of watching Bihar politics unspool in episode after episode, there is a twist. Bheema Bharti is killed. A politician known for applying less rang (colour) and more chuna (deceit) on his associates, almost everybody had a reason to want his death. So it’s interesting when the focus shifts to, who killed the former CM? This is not a spoiler since the season begins with Rani Bharti facing an enquiry commission where she’s asked if she had a hand in her husband’s death.
The season ends with her too, flagging off a premise for another season.
10 episodes of Bihar politics is perhaps far too long to sustain the viewer’s interest especially since caste, craftiness, reservation, Jharkhand… far too many issues are woven in. Having fewer episodes would’ve made it tighter and more watchable. But what keeps it going are efficient, repeat performances from Huma Qureshi, Sohum Shah, Amit Sial, Atul Tiwari (as the corrupt Governor), Pramod Pathak (as Bheema’s aide Mishra), Dibyendu Bhattacharya (as upright Martin who heads the Enquiry Commission), Anuja Sathe and all the other supporting artistes.
A traditional woman taking on her husband and mopping up the dirt in Bihar politics may be wishful thinking but that’s precisely what makes the season feel so contemporary.
Watch Maharani 2 Trailer:
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