"1857 Kranti" is an acclaimed Indian historical drama television series that delves into the significant and tumultuous events surrounding the Indian Revolt of 1857. Helmed by director Sanjay Khan and produced by Numero Uno International Limited, the show aired on Doordarshan National from 2002 to 2003. It aimed to bring to life the heroic struggles and sacrifices made by key figures during this pivotal period in India's fight for independence.
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring talented actors who portray pivotal historical figures. Lalit Tiwari takes on the role of Bajirao II, while Ashok Banthia embodies Moropant, the trusted advisor to Bajirao II. Sunil Singh portrays Tatya Tope, Bhupinder Singh brings Nana Sahib to life, and Barkha Madan delivers a powerful performance as Lakshmibai.
The cast also includes notable actors such as S. M. Zaheer as Bahadur Shah Zafar, Jitendra Trehan as Gangadhar Rao Newalkar/Ghulam Abbas, and Maya Alagh as Zeenat Mahal, among others. Raza Murad and Tej Sapru make impactful cameo appearances as Jahangir and Thomas Roe, respectively.
"1857 Kranti" unfolds against a backdrop of meticulous production values, with an emphasis on cinematic quality. Sanjay Khan, the Chairman and Managing Director of Numero Uno, emphasized the importance of showcasing the valor and sacrifices made during the revolt. The series aimed to highlight the depth of India's first war of independence, bringing attention to a significant chapter often limited to a few pages in textbooks.
The production itself was a massive endeavor, involving over 150 technicians, 80 artists, 150 horses, 10 elephants, 50 camels, and more than 2000 sword fighters. With a staggering budget of Rs 16 crore, it stands as one of the most expensive and ambitious projects in Indian television history.
Filmed across various locations including Rajasthan, Chambal, Trichur, Red Fort, Umargaon, and Cochin, the series aimed for authenticity in its portrayal of historical events. The show incorporated songs without disrupting the narrative flow, adding an additional layer of depth to the storytelling.
Despite facing temporary interruptions due to changes in commissioning norms, "1857 Kranti" garnered attention and appreciation for its grand scale, historical accuracy, and the compelling performances of its cast. Shifting to Sunday prime time on DD National further aimed to captivate a wider audience, showcasing this epic saga of India's struggle for freedom to a larger viewership.
Cast
- Lalit Tiwari as Bajirao II
- Ashok Banthia as Moropant, advisor to Bajirao II
- Sunil Singh as Tatya Tope
- Bhupinder Singh as Nana Sahib
- Barkha Madan as Lakshmibai
- S. M. Zaheer as Bahadur Shah Zafar[6]
- Jitendra Trehan as Gangadhar Rao Newalkar / Ghulam Abbas
- Ajay Trehan as Kunwar Singh
- Maya Alagh as Zeenat Mahal
- Shashank Trivedi as Young Nana Sahib
- Siraj Mustafa Khan as Siraj ud-Daulah
- Nawab Shah as Robert Clive
- Gireesh Sahdev as William Bentinck
- Anwar Fatehan as Mir Jafar
- Anupam Shyam as Pandit Vadarayan
- Rishabh Shukla as Mirza Ghalib
- Saurabh Dubey as Trimbakrao Pandit, Raj Purohit in Jhansi Kingdom
- Vinod Kapoor as William Stephen Raikes Hodson
- Ahmed Khan as Lord Dalhousie
- Hariom Parashar as Narayan Bhat aka Madhav Narayan
- Surbhi Tiwari as Vaishali, Nana Sahib's wife
- Manish Khanna as Azimullah Khan
- Syed Badr-ul Hasan Khan Bahadur as Manekchand
Cameo
- Raza Murad as Jahangir
- Tej Sapru as Thomas Roe