Maharani on SonyLIV is a commentary on caste conflict, contestation and contradictions marring the social and political landscape of Bihar. During the 1980s, the State became notoriously famous for competitive rebellion and rivalries between different communities and castes, competitively scrambling for a place of position and pride in the hierarchy. Ranbir Sena, Sunlight Sena and communists respectively organised, ordered and mobilised caste presence and participation in the scheme of schedule.
The late 1990s saw Rabri Devi, wife of Laloo Yadav, taking charge as the State CM after Laloo’s conviction in the fodder scam. Rani Bharti, played by Huma Qureshi, convinces and persuades her audience of her aims and actions ethically and morally correcting the principles and practices of divide and despair severely impairing, impacting and influencing the excluded, backward and marginalised.
Political authority and chair are instruments to ensure their welfare, well-being and empowerment in the truest of sense for without that they will be tendered renderless. For a Bhima Bharti, power is significant to one’s ascribed status in the society, especially for a state where Bhima is idolised, preserved and conserved. Thus, he puts up everything at stake by announcing Rani Bharti as his successor after being shot by a bullet. A naive Rani learns and leads a charismatic change for the better of her people and population who, for centuries, have bearded the burnt of prejudices and propaganda resulting in bickerings and battle for rights, equality and dignity.
How can Lakshmanpur, Baithani tola massacre be ever justified? Can any commission or committee do so in their capabilities? What about women maimed, lynched and raped in the broad daylight? We will never have answers to it as for their political ascendancy and assertions from Panchayats to Parliament, infuriating the conservatives amongst the savarnas. I believe Rani’s character has been punchy with proses making it appear catchy — for instance, “Ye ladai satta ya suhaag ki nahi, nyay ki hai jahan dabe kucchle ko swarg se zyaada swar ki zaroorat hai (This fight is not of politics or love, but of justice where the downtrodden seek their own voice more than heaven).”
Astonishing us with disbelief as for how the backwards is conducted politically, socially and economically by our society even after 75 years of Independence. Rebuttal looks more handy than for a reconciliation that may look tiring and testing. Patriarchy being still intact and dominant in keeping their woman still out of the mainstream and so forth.