Queen Web Review: Tepid tribute to one of the most fearless leaders

The series opens with an interview of the protagonist, Shakthi Sheshadri, harking back to Simi Garewal's famous interview with Jayalalithaa, thus setting the stage for the protagonist to walk the viewers through her life. Shakthi is introduced to us as a brilliant student who seeks refuge from her troubled family life in studies. What weakens the tempo is banking heavily on child actor Anikha Surendran, who plays the young Shakthi, for two episodes. She soon passes the baton to Anjana Jayaprakash who has the desired screen presence as well.

But foolishly, the better actor is under-utilised for the first seven episodes as the makers waste time on fleshing out her backstory.

Watch the trailer of Ramya Krishnan, Anjana Jayaprakash starrer Queen here:

The story focusses on her mommy issues, to being ill-treated by friends and lovers, harping constantly on her loneliness. It eventually starts feeling insipid as you see the plot points coming from a distance. In her chat with Garewal, the leader had denied having a romantic equation with mentor MGR, but the series (where he is lazily rechristened GMR) paints an intimate portrait of the two and their torrid affair.

Of the few plus points, the makers have commendably brought out the inherent gender disparity prevalent in showbiz and have not shied from representing the murkiness of politics. But Queen takes its muse too lightly to make an impact. It's a half-baked job that doesn't lack in sincerity, but it does in finesse. Guess we will have to wait to see if Kangana Ranaut's Thalaivi gives a fitting homage to one of India's most fearless women.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!