The Empire Review: When the trailer of The Empire was released online, so many said that it looked like India’s attempt at Game of Thrones. After watching all episodes of this series, you can say that this is not Game of Thrones but it is a sincere attempt of exploring a new genre in the Indian OTT space.
The Empire series starts with Babur as a 14-year-old boy. He is shown as a sensitive individual but doe not shy away from slashing throats when his kingdom is in danger. The eight episodes of the series show various phases of Babur’s life. Shaibani Khan, played by Dino Morea is portrayed as the enemy of the emperor.
Shaibani Khan is the kind of villain who has a God complex. More than half the show is about the tussle between the two forms. So, when the battle ends, you may expect that the series to follow suit. But, it goes on and creates new villains, and the show turns into the life story of Babur and not a Babur v/s Shaibani Khan chapter.
The Empire is excelled in the aesthetic department. From costumes to crafted sets, the show leaves you in awe. Visual effects are key for a show like this, the inconsistencies in CGI appear bothersome. The Empire feels like a sincere attempt at revisiting India’s history but the emotional depth was lacking.
Shabana Azmi, who plays Esan Dawlat aka Nanijaan, has an aura that elicits respect for her character. Kunal Kapoor has the toughest task at hand as Babur. He is required to be kind yet commanding, gentle yet ruthless. Imaad Shah plays Babur’s confidante Qasim like a time traveler.
The eight episodes of The Empire feel a little too long. This show could be a mildly interesting choice for those who have an interest in history.
