Maharani (S4): Is A Great Political Drama?

Maharani (Season 4/India/2025) and/or Maharani 4 series is a fictional political drama set in Bihar. And as the series title, Maharani, suggests that it traces the personal and political life story of a strong female protagonist, Rani Bharti (Huma Qureshi) in an eastern state of India.

Notably, in the previous three seasons, we have witnessed the rise of a simple Indian homemaker, Rani Bharti, who becomes the Chief Minister of Bihar state. But, soon after, both her personal and political life faced a lot of chaos and turmoil because of various political reasons.

Rani (रानी) means Queen, & 
Maharani (महारानी) means Empress.

Focus: Maharani (Season 4/India/2025) Series Review

Is This Fictional Tale Inspired By Political Reality In India!?

Spoiler-Free Series Review

Series Synopsis

Maharani Season 4 fast-forwards to 2012 - Rani Bharti (Huma Qureshi) is now Bihar's two-term CM and a rising national force. In Delhi, PM Sudhakar Joshi (Vipin Sharma) battles a crumbling coalition. 

As ambitions clash and loyalties break, Rani and Joshi face off in a power struggle that could redefine India's future. Secrets, scandals, and revenge fuel this explosive new chapter of Maharani.

Show Creator

As an Indian film director and screenwriter, Subhash Kapoor initially worked as a political journalist. He is now celebrated for his direction of satirical comedic drama movies, like Jolly LLB 3 (2025), Jolly LLB 2 (2017), and Jolly LLB (2013), Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010), etc. We have recently reviewed his Jolly LLB 3 (2025) movie in our Focus Magazine. And, it is quite apparent that, Subhash being an ex-political journalist in India, he is privy to a lot of real-life political stories. No doubt that helped him in recreating a fictional political tale that mirrors the real contemporary politics in India.

Indian Politics

📌 Protagonist CM Rani Bharti (Huma Qureshi) is loosely inspired by the famous Indian woman politician Rabri Devi. And, in real life, Rabri Devi served as the Chief Minister of Bihar for three terms, and she is recognised as the first and only woman to have held this office until now, in Bihar. But it is a fictional tale.

📌 Antagonist PM Sudhakar Joshi (Vipin Sharma)’s personality is based on the personalities of perhaps two or more Prime Ministers of India. The personal life details are based on those of a former PM. While his political persona is based on another famous PM. Incidentally, both dabble in conservative (R-W) politics.

📌 In the context of India, Coalition Politics refers to the establishment of governments when no single party has a majority, thereby requiring an alliance of multiple parties to facilitate governance. In recent years, the Coalition politics has become a political reality in India.

📌 The incumbent Prime Minister freely uses (and misuses) the different investigative agencies (CBI, CED, etc.) to settle political scores. He has no qualms about abusing his political power to target his political opponents. There is no moral line that defines his behaviour towards his foes.

📌 The fountain of corruption starts right at his PM office. Besides, the power-brokers (dalaals) rule the corridor of power in Delhi. Crony capitalism and easy Bank finances are the mantra, where. Even the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cases have to bribe to do business in India.

In case you wish to learn about the political reality in India, check out the spoiler alert (#2) shared below.

Series Poster

What’s Great?

Here, we are offering 5 good reasons to watch this political drama from India.

✅ Although the story is a bit slow-moving by today’s standards, it still manages to tell an engrossing political tale set in 2012 Bihar, India. We think that to avoid any political repercussions and backlashes, the writers have smartly moved the clock back. It has a fascinating storyline.

✅ The lead actress, Huma Qureshi, has breathed life into the political character Rani Bharti. Her dialogue delivery while using the local Bihari dialect and words is too good. She has really nailed her performance as an aged Indian woman politician, who is the mother of three.

✅ The lead actor, Vipin Sharma, portrays the antagonist, PM Sudhakar Sriniwas Joshi, admirably. In fact, he has donned the persona of an immoral, corrupt, vindictive and power-hungry Indian Politician perfectly. Sadly, his fictional character reminds us of a famous globe-trotting politician.

✅ The supporting actress Shweta Basu Prasad (Roshni Bharti) and supporting actor Shardul Bharadwaj (Jaiprakash Bharti) have played their respective roles quite well. If one takes a closer look at these two characters, one might find the inspirations behind them, too.

✅ We also liked the acting performances of Kani Kusruti (Kaveri Sridharan), Pramod Pathak (Mishra Ji), Vineet Kumar (Gauri Shankar Pandey/Kaala Naag), and Rajeshwari Sachdev (Gayatri Upadhyay) in Season 4 of the Maharani series. The rest of the ensemble was super, too.

In case you wish to learn about its 8 episode summaries, check out the spoiler alert (#1) shared below.

FM Rating

The Conclusion

The Maharani series from India continues to surprise us with its thought-provoking content. But we are not alone; more than enough people are sharing the bold and hard-hitting dialogues from this series on various social media platforms. Don’t forget to check them out. Okay.

Season 4 of the Maharani series ended on a heart-wrenching note for Rani Bharti (Huma Qureshi) and her family. In a game of national statecraft in India, politics becomes personal. So, Rani Bharti and her family not only suffer a shocking defeat but also incur a tragic personal loss. But Rani Bharti, being a smart fighter, vows to fight back in the upcoming Season 5. So, in the next season, perhaps, we are going to see a blood-soaked vendetta politics. It might bring to life the famous saying in Bihar: “Ek Bihari Sau Par Bhari” (एक बिहारी सौ पर भारी) on-screen. In other words, Rani Bharti is either going to defeat her enemies or die trying.

Key Details

Episodes Summary | Spoiler Alert#1

Maharani Season 4 Opens in 2012 as PM Sudhakar Joshi's coalition nears collapse after losing West Bengal CM's support. Joshi's aide seeks Bihar CM Rani Bharti's backing, but she refuses. As Rani asserts her leadership in Bihar, Joshi allies with her jailed rival, Naveen Kumar, to undermine her. Soon, a commission report implicates Rani in an old murder case, triggering a CBI probe. The episode ends with a charged face-off between Rani and Joshi, setting the stage for a fierce political war.

Rani Bharti resigns as Bihar's CM after rejecting the Maheshwari Commission's allegations, declaring she will take her fight to Delhi. Her son Jai's growing ambition clashes with the old guard of Rani's party, like S N Mishra and Kaveri. Meanwhile, Joshi manipulates Tamil Nadu CM Sunderraja to not switch sides and remain in his coalition. CBI arrives in Patna to arrest Rani, but she secures anticipatory bail. The episode ends dramatically as Rani names Roshni Bharti the new CM.

There is heavy backlash over Rani Bharti's decision to appoint her daughter as Bihar's CM. Party veterans like Kaveri and Mishra openly question the move, accusing Rani of promoting dynasty politics. As PM Joshi runs a social media campaign called #NangaNepotism against Rani and Roshni, tension rises. Roshni soon faces funding cuts from the Centre, testing her leadership. In a fiery Assembly speech, she boldly challenges PM Joshi, proving, she is more than just Rani Bharti's daughter.

The political storm deepens as PM Joshi targets Rani Bharti's family through a coal-mining deal linked to her son Jai. While Rani seeks an alliance in Tamil Nadu to counter Joshi, he cunningly manipulates Kaveri - sending her to the UN. Distrust brews when Rani's camp, as Jai clashes with Roshni over his business ties with Rishi Agarwal, and Kaveri begins doubting Rani's motives. When Kalanaag warns that Kaveri's betrayal is imminent, Rani is forced to choose between loyalty and survival.

Kaveri represents India with a powerful UN speech as Rani and Roshni tighten control in Bihar, cancelling all Akshanta Group contracts tied to Jai. This sparks a family confrontation, leading Rani to placate an angry Jai and enlist him for Delhi's political battle. PM Joshi counters Rani's growing alliance against him by framing CM Sunderraja's family in a scandal. As Rani unveils her new opposition front - Rashtriya Jan Sammaan Morcha - Joshi's sabotage forces Sunderraja to leave her coalition.

The personal and political turmoil in Rani Bharti's world deepens. Jai seeks Aditi's hand, but Balmukund's acceptance comes with a secret condition that could shake Bihar's power structure. As Rani tries to unite allies, Kaveri warns her that Jai is entangled in a coal scam. Kaalanag manipulates Mishra and fuels division within Rani's circle. Just as Rani begins to steady her ground, the CED arrests Jai from his own engagement, and PM Joshi dissolves Parliament, calling early elections.

Jai is forcibly brought to Delhi by CED for questioning over alleged money laundering linked to coal block deals. Despite harsh custody conditions, he resists the pressure to admit to the charges. Meanwhile, Rani and Roshni uncover Skyron corruption, tracing illicit payments to Nachiket. Jai is granted bail, and Rani nominates him as a candidate in the upcoming elections. Jai exposes Joshi's financial scandals publicly and reveals that Nachiket is the illegitimate son of PM Joshi.

Election results end in a hung parliament, plunging Delhi into chaos. Rani prepares to stake a claim for power, but betrayal brews within - Kaveri and Mishra rebel, splitting the RJSP. Meanwhile, Jai's secret dealings spiral into tragedy, shaking Rani's world to its core. As Joshi triumphantly returns as Prime Minister, Roshni is arrested, and Bihar slips from Rani's grasp. In a searing final confrontation, a shattered Rani vows vengeance, promising to uncover the truth at any cost.

Series Trailer

YouTube Link: The Queen Returns | Maharani Season 4 | Huma Qureshi | Vipin Sharma | Sony LIV.

Political Reality in India | Spoiler Alert#2

Poster and Featured Image of the Maharani (Season 4/India/2025) | Pictures Credit: Sony LIV.