MX Player’s Queen is absorbing

Hyderabad: Watching biopics is always an interesting proposition because we get a glimpse of what exactly happened in the lives of the protagonist and how they became what they became. But can a full-fledged movie render justice to all the important situations and phases of one’s life? With sequels not exactly a rewarding commercial prospect, a solution to showcase the agony and ecstasies, the highs and lows, the achievements and disasters of the person, filmmakers and producers have hit upon a more tangible solution-web series.

To this genre belongs MX Player’s Queen, a narration that is inspired by the chequered life journey of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa.

Directed by Gautam Vasudev Menon, Ramya Krishnan essays the role of Shakthi Sheshadri, an ambitious woman whose life is all about ups and downs and unexpected twists. The series is an adaptation of Anita Sivakumaran’s book.

The series is streaming online and here are five reasons why one should not miss watching it.

Grey shades of prominent characters

Throughout her entire life, Shakti Sheshadri has been very closely attached only to a few people. The show gives us a picture about how a person can be the closest one to you, but yet end up hurting you in an unexpected way. Be it Ranganayaki, or Shakti’s close friend Pinky or even GMR. Queen shows how her complex relationships with people have affected her life, both personally and professionally.

Anikha Surendran at her best as young Shakthi

Anikha Surendran, of Yennai Arindhal and Viswasam fame, has played the young Shakthi and her performance is outstanding. Irrespective of the emotion, Anikha talks through her eyes and beautifully emotes what she feels. As an ambitious head girl of a convent school and a studious teenager, who has dreams of her own, Shakthi aspires to be a lawyer, but destiny has something else in store for her. Anikha stands out with her powerful portrayal of the central character.

Ramya Krishnan, the soul of the series

Ramya Krishnan never fails when it comes to impressing the audience with her performances. She has done an amazing job as the senior Shakthi Sheshadri whom we know at the present stage. Be it the strong or emotionally vulnerable side of Shakthi- Ramya portrays that larger-than-life persona with panache. She remains the soul of the series and steals the show.

Impressive performances by the cast

Acting excellence has been achieved by the entire star cast. Sonia Agarwal as Ranganayagi, mother of Shakthi, Gautam Vasudev, the director of the series plays Sridhar, the first one to direct Shakthi when she faces the camera.

Early adulthood of Shakthi has been played by Anjana Jayaprakash and she has shown how the slowly rising female superstar fell into a complex relationship with her co-star GMR (Indrajit Sukumaran). GMR seeks to control every bit of Shakthi’s life. Also, there is a brief period where she experiences love as she bonds with Chaitanya Reddy, her Telugu film director. Chaitanya is played by Vamsi Krishna.

Whatta narrative!

In this series, the narrative part plays a key role. The story keeps going back and forth, where Shakthi is seen revisiting her past in a television interview. The interviewee is Lilette Dubey. The conversation between the two is something one should not miss. Remember Jayalalithaa’s blockbuster interview to Simi Garewal?

Catch up the entire web series by tuning in to MX Player.