The second season of ‘Taj: Divided by Blood’ begins 15 years after the first season, and a brief recap cannot do justice to the intense plotting, scheming, and bloodshed of the previous season.

To fully appreciate and comprehend what happens next, one must watch the first season in its entirety. The story revolves around power-hungry royals constantly vying for control and women unable to wrestle control away from men. In the first three episodes of the new season, familial tensions and backstabbing take center stage, with little external threat to Badshah Akbar’s Mughal Empire, which is going through a challenging phase.

Director Vibhu Puri does an excellent job of seamlessly continuing the story while maintaining the show’s signature style. However, since the gloves are off, the tone is much more straightforward, and there is less action. While it’s difficult not to miss the hot-headed Prince Murad, Daniyal’s emergence somewhat compensates for his absence. The show remains unpredictable and brutal.

The season opens with Dharmendra as Sheikh Salim Chisti, the veteran superstar, predicting doom and dark times for Emperor Akbar. The make-up and costumes completely transform him into the character, and his powerful voice has the desired impact. The dialogues are more in sync with the times depicted in the show. Impressive performances from Aashim Gulati and Naseeruddin Shah, who plays Emperor Akbar, contribute to the season’s success.

However, women are once again relegated to either being abused or scheming in vain to make their mark in history. The makers have taken enough cinematic liberties to thicken the plot with gory twists and turns.

The legend of Emperor Akbar and the Mughal Empire is steeped in blood, and on-screen, it continues to be a captivating story of complex human relationships and ambition. ‘Taj: Divided by Blood’ continues to deliver on every front, just as it did in the first season.

Season 2 streams on Zee5 global