Mahira Khan, the superstar of Pakistani cinema and television, will portray the historical figure of Razia Sultana in Netflix’s upcoming series based on a novel. The series, titled Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo, is an official adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq’s bestselling 2013 Urdu-language novel of the same name.
Who was Razia Sultana?
Razia Sultana was the fifth Mamluk Sultan and the only female ever to rule as the Sultan of Delhi. She was the daughter of the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, and granddaughter of the first Sultan of Delhi, Qutb ud din Aibak. She received training in administration and became heir apparent of Iltutmish after her full-brother Nasiruddin Mahmud died. However, her half-brother Rukn ud din Firuz was made the Sultan following Iltutmish’s death, but he was later assassinated after being viewed as unfit to rule. This led Razia to emerge as the new ruler. She gave up purdah and proved to be an efficient ruler both in administering her government and in leading forces at war.
In her almost four years of rule she established proper law and order, made governmental reforms, infrastructural improvements and encouraged trade. Her half-brother Muiz ud-Din Bahram proclaimed himself king while she was in Bathinda. She tried to regain her power with help of her husband Malik Ikhtiar-ud-din Altunia, a chief of Bathinda, but both of them were killed.
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Razia Sultana is considered as one of the most remarkable rulers in the history of India and a symbol of female empowerment. She faced many challenges and oppositions from the male-dominated society and the conservative nobles who were against a woman ruling over them. She also had to deal with several rebellions and conspiracies from her own relatives and generals. Despite these obstacles, she managed to win the hearts and minds of her subjects with her courage, wisdom and justice. She is also known for her patronage of arts, literature and culture. She promoted education and learning among her people and built several schools, libraries and mosques. She was fluent in Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Hindi languages. She also minted coins bearing her name and image, which was a rare practice for a female ruler at that time.
What is Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo about?
Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo is a romantic saga that revolves around Sikandar, a Harvard law student who experiences a life-changing incident that makes him keep others at bay, and Liza, a talented artist who is bursting with life but has had a troubled past. They meet in Italy and fall in love with each other. However, their relationship faces many hurdles as they belong to different cultures and backgrounds. The story also explores the historical events and characters that shaped the destiny of Sikandar’s ancestors, including Razia Sultana.
The novel by Farhat Ishtiaq is a bestseller that has been praised by critics and readers alike for its captivating plot, engaging characters and beautiful narration. It is a blend of romance, drama, history and mystery that keeps the readers hooked till the end. The novel has also been translated into English by Musharraf Ali Farooqi under the title Those Who Stayed Behind With Me.
Who are the other cast members?
The series boasts of a stellar cast that includes some of the most popular and talented actors from Pakistan, South Asia and beyond. Apart from Mahira Khan as Razia Sultana, the cast includes Fawad Khan as Sikandar, Sanam Saeed as Liza, Ahad Raza Mir as Altunia, Hamza Ali Abbasi as Iltutmish, Bilal Ashraf as Nasiruddin Mahmud, Maya Ali as Shah Turkan, Iqra Aziz as Qutb Jaan, Hania Aamir as Aram Shah’s wife, Khushaal Khan as Qutb ud din Aibak, Nadia Jamil as Sikandar’s mother, Omair Rana as Sikandar’s father and Samina Ahmed as Sikandar’s grandmother.
The series is produced by Momina Duraid Films FZ – LLC, with Momina Duraid as the showrunner. Duraid is a renowned producer and director who has been behind some of the most successful and acclaimed Pakistani films and dramas, such as Bin Roye, Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Dastaan.
The series is being shot in Italy, the U.K. and Pakistan. A streaming date has not been revealed yet.
Why is this series a milestone for Pakistani entertainment?
Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo is the first Pakistan-themed original series by Netflix, the world’s leading streaming service. This is a huge achievement for the Pakistani entertainment industry, as it will showcase its talent and potential to a global audience. The series will also introduce the rich and diverse culture, history and heritage of Pakistan to millions of viewers who may not be familiar with it. The series will also highlight the role and contribution of women in the history and society of Pakistan, especially through the character of Razia Sultana, who is an inspiration for many women across the world. The series will also promote the soft image of Pakistan and counter the negative stereotypes and misconceptions that often surround it. The series will also create more opportunities and collaborations for the Pakistani artists and filmmakers with the international platforms and markets.
We hope you are as excited as we are for this upcoming series that promises to be a masterpiece of storytelling, acting and production. Stay tuned for more updates and news about Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo. Meanwhile, you can also check out some of the other amazing Pakistani dramas that are available on Netflix, such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Dastaan, Humsafar and Churails.
What are your thoughts and expectations about this series? Do you think Mahira Khan will do justice to the role of Razia Sultana? Let us know in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you.