Power doesn’t arrive suddenly—it builds quietly, step by step, often through pain. Sultan of Delhi follows that slow rise. It doesn’t start with a kingpin. It starts with a survivor. A man shaped by loss, pushed by ambition, and willing to enter a dangerous world just to prove something—to himself and to the city around him.
Set in a time when Delhi was still finding its identity after independence, the series blends crime, politics, and personal struggle. It’s not just about becoming powerful. It’s about what a person loses while chasing that power. The tone is gritty, stylish, and layered with betrayal and ambition.
Cast and Crew
The series features a strong ensemble cast, mixing established actors with fresh faces.
Main Cast
- Tahir Raj Bhasin as Arjun Bhatia
- Mouni Roy as Nayantara
- Anjumm Shharma as Nilendu “Bangali”
- Vinay Pathak as Jagan Seth
- Anupriya Goenka as Shankari Devi
- Nishant Dahiya as Rajendra Pratap Singh
- Mehreen Pirzada as Sanjana
- Harleen Sethi as Preeti
Supporting Cast
- Sunil Palwal as Sandhu
- Shadab Kamal
- Other recurring characters in political and crime arcs
The casting is one of the biggest strengths. Tahir Raj Bhasin carries the show with a controlled performance, while actors like Vinay Pathak and Anjumm Shharma add strong depth to the narrative.
Crew
- Created by Milan Luthria
- Directed by Milan Luthria & Suparn Verma
- Written by Suparn Verma
- Based on the book Sultan of Delhi: Ascension by Arnab Ray
- Produced by Reliance Entertainment
The direction leans toward a cinematic style—stylized visuals, period detailing, and a slow build of tension rather than fast-paced action.
OTT Platform & Release
- OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
- Release Date: 13 October 2023
- Language: Hindi
- Episodes: 9
The series was released as a Hotstar original and set in a 1960s backdrop.
Story
The story revolves around Arjun Bhatia, a young man who survives the trauma of the 1947 Partition and arrives in Delhi with nothing.
But he doesn’t stay nothing for long.
Driven by ambition, Arjun slowly enters the world of crime. What begins as survival soon turns into a hunger for power.
As the story moves forward:
- He partners with Bangali to enter illegal trade
- Comes under the influence of powerful figures like Jagan Seth
- Builds his own identity in Delhi’s underworld
At the same time, relationships complicate his journey.
Love, loyalty, and betrayal all start mixing with ambition.
The closer Arjun gets to power, the more dangerous his world becomes.
The series explores:
- Rise of a gangster in post-independence India
- Power struggles in Delhi’s underworld
- Effects of trauma and survival instinct
- Ambition vs relationships
It’s not just about becoming the “Sultan of Delhi.”
It’s about what that title costs.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Strong period setting (1960s Delhi)
- Stylish, cinematic storytelling
- Character-driven rise-to-power narrative
- Mix of crime, politics, and emotion
The series doesn’t rush. It builds slowly, focusing on transformation rather than instant action.
Reception and Audience Appeal
The show received mixed to positive responses. Many appreciated its visual style and performances, while some felt the pacing could have been tighter.
It mainly appeals to:
- Fans of gangster dramas
- Viewers who enjoy period storytelling
- Those interested in character-driven narratives
Final Thoughts
Sultan of Delhi is not just about crime. It’s about ambition shaped by pain.
One man. One city. And a journey from survival to power.
It shows that becoming powerful is not the hardest part—
staying human while doing it is.
If you enjoy slow-burn gangster dramas with strong characters and a historical backdrop, this series is worth watching.
