Ek Thi Begum was praised for:
Some critics noted the violence could be disturbing, and a few episodes felt rushed, but overall, Season 1 holds a rating of 8.2/10 on IMDb.
The war for Mumbai’s underworld reaches a crescendo.
| Aspect | Detail | |--------|--------| | Production company | JioStudios (originally), later distributed by MX Player | | Budget estimate | ~₹5–7 crore (for S1) | | Filming locations | Mumbai, Maharashtra (studio and real locations) | | Principal photography | Mid-2019 – Early 2020 (last 4 episodes delayed due to COVID-19) | | Post-production | 2020–2021 (VFX, dubbing, color grading) |
Key challenge:
The first 10 episodes released in late 2020. The remaining 4 episodes were postponed due to pandemic-related production halts and released in early 2021. ek thi begum 2020 season 1 all 14 episodes 72 2021
Ek Thi Begum is a Hindi crime drama web series created by Shoonya Square Productions and directed by Arif Khan. It stars Anuja Sathe as the protagonist, Ashraf Bhatkar — the widow of a slain gangster who rises to power in the male-dominated underworld of 1990s Mumbai. The series is loosely inspired by the life of gangster Ashraf Khan’s wife, though fictionalized for dramatic impact.
Season 1 originally premiered on February 14, 2020, on MX Player — a free, ad-supported streaming platform. It consists of 14 episodes, each ranging between 20–25 minutes. The total runtime of the season is approximately 300–350 minutes, not 72 minutes. However, the “72” in your keyword could refer to a specific episode runtime (e.g., 72 minutes total for a recap special) or a misremembered figure from 2021 when the show gained renewed attention.
The season finale. Ashraf faces her biggest test. The ending is both tragic and empowering, leaving room for a potential Season 2 (which, as of 2025, is yet to be released).
Platform: MX Player Release Year: 2020 Episodes: 14 Language: Hindi Ek Thi Begum was praised for:
The Premise Set in the crime-ridden landscape of 1980s Mumbai, Ek Thi Begum tells the story of Sapna (played by Anuja Sathe), a stunningly beautiful woman whose life is shattered when her husband is murdered by the henchmen of a notorious underworld don. Transformed by grief and a thirst for vengeance, Sapna reinvents herself as "Begum," using her wit, charm, and sexuality as weapons to infiltrate the mafia and dismantle it from the inside.
The Strengths
The Weaknesses
Final Verdict Ek Thi Begum is a stylish, revenge-driven thriller that relies heavily on its lead actress and its retro vibe. It is not a path-breaking crime drama, but it is an entertaining watch for those who enjoy stories about femme fatales and the Mumbai underworld. It is a classic tale of "woman wronged" turned vigilante, executed with enough gloss and grit to keep you watching until the cliffhanger ending. Some critics noted the violence could be disturbing,
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Recommended if you liked: Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Dharmakshetra, or Ragini MMS Returns.
Ek Thi Begum (2020) is a crime drama series inspired by true events, following a woman's quest for vengeance in the 1980s Mumbai underworld. Season 1, consisting of 14 episodes, was released on April 8, 2020. Season 1 Overview
: After her husband, Zaheer Bhatkar, is killed in a staged encounter by the gangster Maqsood and corrupt police, Ashraf Bhatkar vows to destroy Maqsood’s empire. She adopts the identity "Sapna," working as a bar dancer to infiltrate the criminal underworld and eliminate those responsible. Anuja Sathe as Ashraf Bhatkar/Sapna Ankit Mohan as Zaheer Bhatkar Chinmay Mandlekar as Vikram Bhosale Rajendra Shisatkar as Nana Mhatre Episodes (All 14) The Big Mistake The Turning Point The Naked Truce The Big Hunt The Turmoil The Defeat The Transformation The Honey Trap The Taste of Blood The Game Becomes Ugly The Ultimate Seduction The Big Catch The Countdown Begins The Final Encounter Sequel and Availability Season 2 (2021) : Released on September 30, 2021
, with 12 episodes. It continues Ashraf's journey as she adopts a new identity, "Leela Paswan". : Both seasons are available for free (with ads) on Amazon MX Player
The numbers "72" and "2021" are likely a typo or a misreference. The web series "Ek Thi Begum" (Season 1) was released by MX Player in 2020 and consists of 12 episodes (not 14), based on the life of Ashraf Bhatkar, the widow of a gangster.
Assuming you meant to analyze Season 1 of Ek Thi Begum (2020, all episodes), below is a critical essay on the series.