Ek Thi Begum (Mx Player) Webseries Actress And Actor

Online streaming platform MXPLayer released a erotic drama Hindi web series “Ek Thi Begum” from 8th April 2020.
A story of a stunningly beautiful woman; Ashraf aka Sapna, the loving wife of Zaheer – a once confidante of Maqsood, the underworld don, but now an arch rival. When the rift between the rivals reaches ugly culmination Zaheer gets killed. Ashraf vows to overturn and destroy Masood’s illegal empire using her beauty, sensuality and acute intelligence.

Ek Thi Begum (Mx Player) Webseries Details

Start Date	Apr 08, 2020
Genre	Drama | Erotic
Season
Language	Hindi
OTT Platform	MX PLAYER
Origin Country
Location(s)
Banner

MX PLAYER web series Ek Thi Begum cast(s)

	Chinmay Mandlekar
	Abhijeet Chavan
	Rajendra Shisatkar
	Vijay Nikam
	Resham
	Pradip Doiphode
	Vitthal Kale
	Anil Nagarkar
	Suchit Jadha
	Ajay Gehi
	Raju Aathavle
	Anuja Sathe
	Ankit Mohan
	Santosh Juvekar

Trailer

---

From Innocence to Inferno: The Powerhouse Cast of MX Player’s Crime Saga ‘Ek Thi Begum’

The Mumbai underworld has long been a rich source of dramatic storytelling, but few narratives pivot the focus onto the strength and transformation of a woman quite like the MX Player web series, Ek Thi Begum. Far from a typical gangster flick, this series, which spans two gripping seasons, is a tale of calculated revenge, sharp intellect, and a startling metamorphosis, all inspired by a true, untold story of the 1980s.

The backbone of this crime thriller is its stellar ensemble cast, largely drawn from the versatile pool of Marathi and Hindi theatre, television, and film artists. These actors bring a raw, authentic energy to the screen, breathing life into characters—from the vengeful protagonist to the menacing underworld don—who operate in the murky grey area of crime, politics, and survival.

Here is a deep dive into the talented actresses and actors who anchored the explosive narrative of Ek Thi Begum.

---

The Protagonist: Anuja Sathe as Ashraf Bhatkar a.k.a. Sapna a.k.a. Leela Paswan

At the core of the series lies the character of Ashraf, whose journey from a devoted, simple wife to a ruthless ‘Begum’ of the underworld is the driving force of the entire plot. This challenging, multi-layered role is brilliantly essayed by the Pune-born actress, Anuja Sathe.

The Character’s Monumental Transformation

Anuja Sathe’s character, Ashraf, begins as the loving wife of Zaheer Bhatkar, who is an arch-rival to Mumbai’s biggest underworld don, Maqsood. When Zaheer is killed in a fake police encounter orchestrated by Maqsood, Ashraf’s world shatters, and she is failed by the corrupt system. This injustice fuels a relentless, life-altering vow of revenge.

To achieve her goal of dismantling Maqsood’s illegal empire, the once-homely Ashraf undergoes a stunning transformation. She sheds her conservative identity and adopts a new, sensual avatar as a bar dancer named Sapna. Using her beauty, sensuality, and sharp intelligence, she meticulously plans to infiltrate the very heart of the underworld. In Season 2, she takes on yet another alias, Leela Paswan, returning “from the dead” to continue her violent quest for justice and break the stereotype of male dominance in Mumbai’s underbelly.

Anuja Sathe’s Versatile Career Trajectory

Anuja Sathe, a veteran of Indian entertainment, brought her considerable experience from multiple mediums to this pivotal role.

• Theatre Roots: She started her career as a theatre artist in Pune, featuring in popular Marathi plays like Shobha Yatra and Uttar Ratra, which laid a strong foundation for her acting skills.
• Marathi and Hindi Television: Anuja transitioned to television, becoming a popular face in Marathi serials such as Agnihotra and Lagori Maitri Returns (where she played Urmila), before making her Hindi TV debut as the lead protagonist Dharaa Solanki in the Star Plus soap opera Tamanna. She has also appeared in historical roles, notably as Radhabai, the mother of Bajirao, in the series Peshwa Bajirao.
• Bollywood and Regional Cinema: Sathe has showcased her talent on the big screen as well, with significant roles in films like:
  • Bajirao Mastani (2015): She played Bhiubai, the sister of Bajirao (Ranveer Singh).
  • Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018): She had a notable role in the Hindi film alongside John Abraham.
  • Blackmail (2018): Another Hindi film where she essayed the role of Prabha Ghatpandey.

Her portrayal of Ashraf/Sapna/Leela was her digital debut and required immense emotional and mental investment, with the director Sachin Darekar calling her the “first choice” for the role due to her blend of “beauty and performance.”

---

The Antagonist: Ajay Gehi as Maqsood

A revenge drama is only as compelling as its villain, and in Ek Thi Begum, the formidable underworld don, Maqsood, is portrayed by the actor Ajay Gehi. Maqsood is the powerful mafia figure operating his massive drug cartel from Dubai, and his command to eliminate Zaheer is the catalyst for Ashraf’s dark transformation.

The Portrayal of a Sinister Underworld Don

Gehi’s performance as Maqsood required capturing a certain ‘evil power’ through subtle menace rather than overt action. The actor himself acknowledged that the role demanded a substantial amount of “mental aptitude” and makeup, as the character’s presence had to be felt even when he was silent or simply standing in a frame. The character is widely seen as being based on the popular, yet chilling, depictions of real-life underworld figures like Dawood Ibrahim, a character who wears dark glasses indoors and commands dread.

Ajay Gehi’s Diverse Filmography

Ajay Gehi is a well-known face across Indian cinema and television, having worked in major productions and critically acclaimed independent films.

• Early Career: Gehi, who was born and raised in Mumbai, initially pursued a different path by selling computers before realising his true calling was in acting and modelling. He has appeared in over 200 advertisements before joining the silver screen.
• Bollywood Debut: A major turning point in his career was his role in Vishal Bhardwaj’s 2003 film Maqbool, which is considered one of his noteworthy performances.
• Critically Acclaimed Work: He was part of the Gujarati film The Good Road (2013), which became India’s official entry to the Oscars that year.
• Other Notable Films: His filmography also includes roles in Mani Ratnam’s Raavan (2010), Ram Gopal Varma’s crime-thriller Not a Love Story (2011), and the Hindi film We Didn’t Kill Mia (2018).
• Television Presence: Gehi was also a prominent face in Hindi television, playing a main role in the popular Star Plus serial Miilee (2005-06).

---

The Pivotal Male Leads and Ensemble Cast

While Anuja Sathe’s performance dominates the screen, the narrative relies heavily on the performances of the key male actors, who represent different facets of the underworld, law enforcement, and personal relationships.

Ankit Mohan as Zaheer Bhatkar

Ankit Mohan plays the pivotal role of Zaheer Bhatkar, Ashraf’s husband and the initial catalyst for the entire revenge saga. Zaheer is the “Begum’s” motivation—a former trusted confidante of Maqsood who became his arch-rival and whose subsequent fake encounter death shoves his wife into a path of vengeance.

• Career Highlights: Ankit Mohan is a prominent actor in Hindi television and Marathi cinema. His career began with MTV Roadies (Season 4) in 2006.
• Television Fame: He is best known for his roles in major Hindi TV serials, including:
  • Mahabharat: As Ashwathama.
  • Kumkum Bhagya: As Aakash.
  • Naagin 3: As Yuvi.
  • Sasural Genda Phool.
• Marathi Cinema: Ankit Mohan also gained significant acclaim in Marathi cinema, playing the title character of the legendary Maratha warrior Kondaji Farzand in the superhit film Farzand (2018).

Chinmay Mandlekar as Inspector Vikram Bhosale

Chinmay Mandlekar portrays the honest police inspector Vikram Bhosale, a key character who often finds himself tangled in the web woven by Ashraf (Sapna). His character embodies the law’s struggle to contain the underworld, all while developing a complicated personal connection with the mysterious ‘Sapna’.

• A Versatile Artist: Mandlekar is an alumnus of the National School of Drama and is celebrated for his acting and writing skills, primarily in the Marathi entertainment industry.
• Notable Works: He has an extensive filmography in Marathi theatre and television, and his recent work includes the Hindi web series Kaala Paani (2023).
• Marathi Cinema: Mandlekar is also known for prominent roles in Marathi films like Fatteshikast and Farzand (alongside Ankit Mohan), showcasing his proficiency in historical and action genres.

The Ensemble of Power and Corruption

The series is made richer by a host of other talented actors who complete the dark mosaic of Mumbai’s 1980s underworld:

• Rajendra Shisatkar as Nana Mhatre: A prominent gangster figure in the hierarchy of the underworld who constantly poses a threat.
• Vijay Nikam as Bhai Chavan: Another powerful and established figure in the crime network.
• Hitesh Bhojraj as Ashwin Surve (Season 2): A young, ambitious gangster whose path intersects with Ashraf (now Leela Paswan) as she continues her vengeance.
• Resham Shrivardhankar as Anjali Dixit: A pivotal supporting character whose role evolves as the truth of the Begum’s mission unfolds.

---

Conclusion: A Revenge Saga Driven by Performance

Ek Thi Begum is more than a crime thriller; it is a profound study of vengeance and the lengths to which a woman will go to claim justice in a world dominated by men. The compelling story, inspired by true events, finds its true voice and intensity in the hands of its dedicated cast. The dramatic, multi-layered performance by Anuja Sathe, juxtaposed with the sinister portrayal of the crime lord Maqsood by Ajay Gehi, creates an unforgettable watch that has cemented Ek Thi Begum as a breakout MX Original Series. The collaborative power of the cast, rooted in strong regional cinema and theatre, is what elevates this tale of a woman’s rage into a critically acclaimed web saga.

---

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Who is the main actress in the MX Player web series ‘Ek Thi Begum’?

A: The main actress in the MX Player web series Ek Thi Begum is Anuja Sathe. She plays the central character, Ashraf Bhatkar, who transforms into the bar dancer Sapna and later takes the alias Leela Paswan in her quest for revenge against the underworld don Maqsood.

Q2: Is ‘Ek Thi Begum’ based on a true story?

A: Yes, the web series Ek Thi Begum is inspired by a true, untold story. The plot, set in the mid-1980s Mumbai underworld, is often noted to recall the story of a woman named Ashraf Bhatkar, whose husband was killed by a major underworld don of the time.

Q3: Who plays the role of the underworld don Maqsood in ‘Ek Thi Begum’?

A: The role of the powerful underworld don Maqsood, who is the main antagonist of the series, is played by actor Ajay Gehi. Ajay Gehi is known for his work in films like Maqbool and Raavan.

Q4: What other movies and TV shows has Anuja Sathe acted in?

A: Anuja Sathe has a diverse career spanning theatre, television, and films. Some of her notable works include:

• Films: Bajirao Mastani (as Bhiubai, Bajirao’s sister), Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, and Blackmail.
• Television: Lead role in the Hindi serial Tamanna and the historical series Peshwa Bajirao (as Radhabai).

Q5: Who plays Ashraf’s husband Zaheer Bhatkar, whose death sets off the revenge plot?

A: The character of Zaheer Bhatkar, Ashraf’s husband, is played by actor Ankit Mohan. Ankit Mohan is a well-known television actor recognized for his roles in shows like Mahabharat (as Ashwathama) and Kumkum Bhagya.

Q6: How many seasons does the web series ‘Ek Thi Begum’ have?

A: The web series Ek Thi Begum has two seasons released on MX Player. The first season premiered in 2020, and the second season, continuing Ashraf’s journey as Leela Paswan, debuted in 2021.