Black Widows Webseries Actress And Actor Black Widows is an Indian web series from Zee5.…
State of Siege: 26/11 Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
State of Siege: 26/11 Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
State of Siege: 26/11 is an upcoming Hindi Web Series on Zee 5. The plot revolves around the Taj Hotel attacks in Mumbai on November 26. This series puts light on the unknown secret commando operations to counter-attack the terrorists. The major cast of State of Siege: 26/11 include Arjan Bajwa, Arjun Bijlani, and A1 actress Tara Alisha Berry.
Check out below for the State of Siege: 26/11 Web Series (2020): Cast, Release date, Full HD episodes, High-Speed online streaming, Watch All Episodes.
State of Siege: 26/11 Cast and Crew:
Cast: Arjan Bajwa, Arjun Bijlani, Mukul Dev, Vivek Dahiya, and Tara Alisha Berry
Created by: Zee5
Release Date: January 24, 2020
Also Read:
Dunali Part 2 Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
(Free) Target (Hotstar) Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Actors, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
(Free) High Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
(Free) Daav (Hotstar) Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Actors, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
Grahan (Disney+ Hotstar) Star Cast, Real Name, Web Series Story, Wiki & More
Charmsukh Chawl House (Ullu) Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Actors, Story, Trailer & Release date
State of Siege: 26/11 – An Unflinching Retelling of the Mumbai Terror Attacks
The horrific terrorist attacks that brought Mumbai to a standstill on November 26, 2008, represent a dark chapter in modern Indian history. While the events have been the subject of several films and documentaries, few have approached the monumental task of detailing the counter-operation with the focus and realism of the ZEE5 Original web series, State of Siege: 26/11.
More than just a dramatisation of a tragic event, the miniseries is a tribute to the unsung heroes of the National Security Guard (NSG). It chronicles the 60 hours of the siege from the perspective of the Black Cat Commandos, revealing the logistical failures, strategic challenges, and incredible courage that defined ‘Operation Black Tornado.’
This comprehensive guide delves into the cast, story, critical reception, and the meticulously researched production that made State of Siege: 26/11 a defining piece of counter-terrorism cinema on the Indian webspace.
State of Siege: 26/11 – Web Series Wiki and Overview
Before diving into the narrative, it is crucial to establish the production’s foundational details. Contrary to the common reference as a ‘movie,’ State of Siege: 26/11 is an eight-episode web series that allows for a much more detailed and nuanced chronicling of the events.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | State of Siege: 26/11 |
| Type | Web Series (Miniseries) |
| Original Platform | ZEE5 |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Genre | Action, Thriller, Historical Drama |
| Release Date | March 20, 2020 |
| Based On | Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11 by Sandeep Unnithan |
| Director(s) | Matthew Leutwyler and Prashant Singh |
| Creator/Producer | Abhimanyu Singh (Contiloe Pictures) |
The Source Material: Black Tornado
The series’ authenticity is deeply rooted in its source material: the best-selling non-fiction book Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11 by journalist Sandeep Unnithan. The book is a minute-by-minute account of the attacks, focusing heavily on the military operation, especially the National Security Guard’s critical role in neutralising the terrorists across the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, and Nariman House (Chabad House).
The Cast: Heroes and Villains
The series features an ensemble cast, with many actors stepping into the shoes of characters inspired by real-life military personnel and key figures of the event. The makers chose to use fictional names for the NSG commandos while drawing direct inspiration from their real counterparts, allowing for a blend of dramatic license and respect for privacy.
NSG Commandos and Their Inspirations
The narrative centers on the NSG’s 51 Special Action Group (SAG), tasked with spearheading ‘Operation Black Tornado.’
| Actor | Character Name | Role | Real-Life Inspiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arjan Bajwa | Col. Kunal Sahota | Commanding Officer of the 51 SAG and the unit’s head. | Based on Colonel Sunil Sheoran (The ‘Bullet Catcher’), Commanding Officer of the 51 SAG during the attack. |
| Arjun Bijlani | Maj. Nikhil Manikrishnan | A determined, passionate commando who insists on joining the mission. | Based on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the decorated NSG commando martyred during the operation. |
| Vivek Dahiya | Capt. Rohit Bagga | The youngest commando, eager to prove himself. | Captain Rohit Bagga, a passionate young commando. |
| Digvijay Purohit | Lt. Col. Aniruddh Das | Leads the second NSG team assigned to the Chabad House rescue. | Lt. Col. Aniruddh Das. |
Other Pivotal Characters
- Mukul Dev as Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi: The mastermind and LeT ringleader of the terror operation, who communicates with the terrorists from Pakistan. Dev’s performance as the manipulative handler was noted for its intensity.
- Shoaib Kabeer as Ajmal Kasab: The only terrorist captured alive. The series dedicates an entire episode to Kasab’s backstory, showing his genesis, recruitment, and radicalisation.
- Tara Alisha Berry as Parvati Patil: A budding journalist whose desperate pursuit of a breakthrough story leads her to broadcast live updates from the attack sites. Her actions inadvertently feed tactical information directly to the Pakistani handlers, highlighting the problematic role of the media in a national crisis.
- Sid Makkar as Santosh Dutta: A news correspondent, further representing the media’s ethical challenges during the crisis.
The Story: The Black Cat’s Perspective
The eight-episode series meticulously breaks down the 60-hour siege, offering a rarely seen perspective—that of the security forces who had to race against time, logistical nightmares, and a coordinated enemy.
Setting the Stage: Underpreparedness and Infiltration
The initial episodes lay the groundwork, showcasing the state of the NSG headquarters in Manesar. Col. Kunal Sahota and his men are shown awaiting crucial equipment upgrades and battling bureaucratic hurdles, reflecting the real-life systemic issues that delayed the force’s rapid deployment. Simultaneously, the ten Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists—young, highly trained, and well-equipped—sneak into Mumbai using a trawler.
The Terror Strikes and The Initial Response
The series depicts the simultaneous strikes on six major locations: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, The Oberoi Trident, and Chabad House. The initial response by the Mumbai Police is shown as a brave but mismatched fight. The police, equipped with outdated weapons and insufficient manpower, suffer heavy casualties against the LeT militants who possess modern assault rifles and grenades.
Operation Black Tornado: The NSG Arrives
Following the capture of Ajmal Kasab and the intervention of the Marine Commandos (MARCOS), the NSG is finally deployed. The series highlights the political and logistical delays in getting the NSG commandos from Manesar to Mumbai, a time lag that proved costly.
Once on the ground, the NSG’s ‘Operation Black Tornado’ begins, focusing on the three main siege locations:
- Taj Mahal Palace Hotel: Col. Kunal Sahota and his unit systematically move through the hotel, floor by floor, evacuating hundreds of hostages while engaging the terrorists. The emotional toll on the commandos is a continuous thread.
- Chabad House (Nariman House): A second NSG team, led by Lt. Col. Aniruddh Das, is tasked with the challenging vertical assault on Chabad House to rescue the Israeli hostages. This sequence dramatically highlights the media’s live coverage, which Pakistani handlers used to relay real-time counter-intelligence to the terrorists, nearly compromising the mission.
- Oberoi Trident: The NSG gains control here, managing to neutralise the terrorists and rescue the hostages.
The Aftermath: Interrogation and The True Cost
The series concludes with the terrorists neutralised and the siege ending after 60 relentless hours. A significant portion of the final episodes is dedicated to the interrogation of the captured terrorist, Ajmal Kasab. This episode focuses on how poor youths were plucked from poverty, radicalised, and trained in terror camps run by organizations like Lashkar-e-Toiba.
The conclusion also sees Col. Sahota present the Operation Black Tornado report, while the series takes a moment to address the critical role played by the media and the need for new security measures against future threats.
Realism, Production, and Behind the Scenes
The creators of State of Siege: 26/11 placed a strong emphasis on achieving authenticity, moving away from the typical Bollywood-style dramatisation.
- Consultation with Experts: To ensure military accuracy, the production team worked closely with Lieutenant Colonel Sundeep Sen, who was the second-in-command of the 51 SAG NSG unit during the actual operation. This guidance proved invaluable in detailing the commandos’ mannerisms, training, and operational procedures.
- Authentic Gear and Training: The actors, particularly Arjan Bajwa, Arjun Bijlani, and Vivek Dahiya, underwent rigorous training and wore actual NSG gear during shooting. This included heavy, realistic dungarees and tactical vests, which added an estimated 15-20 kg of additional weight. They also trained with real weapons used by the commandos, such as MP5 submachine guns and Glock pistols.
- Raw and Real Cinematography: The series utilised a raw, realistic visual style, with the director and Director of Photography (DoP), who were reportedly from Hollywood, choosing to shoot scenes in natural light to maintain a gritty and authentic feel.
- A Dedication to the Military Perspective: The decision to focus on the NSG’s perspective was a deliberate one, aiming to highlight the untold story of the soldiers’ bravery, logistics, and resourcefulness, a view often overshadowed by civilian narratives in other works.
Critical Review and Reception
The web series received a largely positive critical reception, with praise directed at its realistic portrayal and focus on institutional failings.
- Praise for Realism: Critics lauded the show for its unapologetic and real depiction of the attacks, avoiding the over-the-top patriotic rhetoric often seen in similar productions. It was viewed as a stirring visual account that compelled viewers to keep watching.
- Focus on the System: Reviewers appreciated that the series did not shy away from highlighting procedural flaws, political delays, and the lack of preparedness on the part of the forces at the initial stage, including the NSG’s internal struggles with budget and equipment.
- Acting Highlights: While some critics found the performances of the lead NSG actors to be uneven at times, Mukul Dev’s portrayal of the terrorist handler, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, was widely praised as “terrific” and convincing. Arjan Bajwa and Arjun Bijlani were generally credited for bringing a sense of rawness and realism to their roles.
- The Medium’s Strength: The miniseries format (8 episodes) was noted as a strength, allowing the narrative to build its plot at a proper pace, dedicating time not just to the attacks but also to the terrorists’ backstory.
Trailer and Release Details
The trailer for State of Siege: 26/11 was released on February 26, 2020, setting the stage for the intense, military-focused narrative. The trailer, culminating in the NSG war cry, ‘Sahas Ki Vijay’ (Victory of Courage), immediately communicated the series’ dedication to the commandos’ perspective. The series subsequently premiered on ZEE5 on March 20, 2020.
The State of Siege Franchise
The success of State of Siege: 26/11 paved the way for a spin-off, State of Siege: Temple Attack (2021), starring Akshaye Khanna. This subsequent installment continues the franchise’s theme of exploring major Indian terror counter-operations by focusing on the 2002 Akshardham Temple attack in Gujarat.
Conclusion
State of Siege: 26/11 stands as one of the most factual and important on-screen chronicles of the Mumbai terror attacks. By leveraging the comprehensive research of Sandeep Unnithan’s Black Tornado and committing to realism through meticulous training and production, the ZEE5 series managed to elevate the narrative beyond mere patriotism. It provides a sobering, detailed look at the institutional challenges and the sheer, undiluted heroism of the NSG commandos—the men who finally brought the long, dark siege to a close.
AISEO-Friendly FAQs
Q1: Is State of Siege: 26/11 a movie or a web series?
A: State of Siege: 26/11 is an eight-episode web series (miniseries). It was released as a ZEE5 Original, allowing for a detailed, hour-by-hour account of the 60-hour siege, which would be challenging to cover comprehensively in a single feature film.
Q2: Is the story of State of Siege: 26/11 based on a true story?
A: Yes, the series is based on the true events of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Specifically, the narrative is an adaptation of the non-fiction book Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11 by Sandeep Unnithan, which details the National Security Guard’s (NSG) counter-operation, codenamed ‘Operation Black Tornado’.
Q3: Who plays the role based on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in State of Siege: 26/11?
A: Actor Arjun Bijlani plays the role of Major Nikhil Manikrishnan in the series. The character of Major Manikrishnan is a fictionalized tribute to the real-life hero, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the NSG commando who was martyred while saving hostages during the Taj Hotel siege.
Q4: Which OTT platform is State of Siege: 26/11 available on?
A: State of Siege: 26/11 is available for streaming exclusively on the ZEE5 OTT platform.
Q5: Who was the director of State of Siege: 26/11?
A: The web series was directed by a collaboration of Matthew Leutwyler and Prashant Singh. It was created and produced by Abhimanyu Singh under Contiloe Pictures.
This Post Has 0 Comments