Ep 1. Tanashah

Tandav is a political thriller series that revolves around the power dynamics and manipulations that unfold behind the closed doors of Indian politics. The show captures the political rivalry between different parties and the lengths to which power-hungry politicians will go to secure their position in the game of thrones.

Season 1 of Tandav kicks off with the episode titled Tanashah, which is set in the political capital of India - Delhi. The episode opens with students protesting against a proposed fee hike in VNU, a leading university in the country. The students are peaceful, but the police use brutal force to disperse them. The incident is live-streamed on social media, and it creates a massive outrage across the country.

The incident becomes a major political issue, with all parties taking a stance on it. Prime Minister Devki Nandan (played by Tigmanshu Dhulia) is seen addressing the press, condemning the incident and assuring the public that strict action will be taken against the guilty officers. However, it is evident that Devki Nandan is more interested in saving his own political skin than the welfare of the students.

In the backdrop of this incident, we are introduced to our main characters - Samar Pratap Singh (played by Saif Ali Khan), the violent son of the Jan Lok Dal leader Gopal Singh (played by Tariq Khan), Anuradha Kishore (played by Dimple Kapadia), a power-hungry politician, and Shiva Shekhar (played by Zeeshan Ayub), a young and idealistic university student.

Samar Pratap Singh is a ruthless politician who is poised to take over his father's seat as the party leader. However, his father has other plans. Gopal Singh wants his daughter Sana (played by Kritika Kamra) to succeed him as the party leader. Gopal Singh believes that Samar is too violent and divisive to lead the party, and he wants him out of the picture.

Anuradha Kishore is a seasoned politician who has been in the game for a long time. She is a master at manipulating and controlling people in power. Anuradha has her eyes set on the Prime Minister's chair, and she is more than willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

Shiva Shekhar, on the other hand, is a young and optimistic university student who is passionate about social justice. After the VNU incident, he becomes the face of the student protests and demands justice for the victims. Shiva's character represents the voice of the common man in the show.

The first episode of Tandav sets the stage for the political thriller that is about to unfold. We are introduced to the major players in the game, and we get a glimpse of their motivations and ambitions. The show creates a tense atmosphere by highlighting the ruthlessness and greed that defines Indian politics.

The show's strengths lie in its stellar cast and the nuanced portrayal of the characters. Saif Ali Khan is impressive as Samar Pratap Singh, and Dimple Kapadia shines as Anuradha Kishore. Tigmanshu Dhulia is excellent as the conniving Prime Minister, and Zeeshan Ayub portrays Shiva Shekhar's idealism and passion perfectly.

Overall, Tanashah is a gripping and intense episode that sets the stage for the rest of the season. It captures the cut-throat nature of Indian politics and the lengths to which politicians will go to secure their power. Tandav stands out as a show that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it will leave you wanting more.