Al Monitor | Zahra Alipour: The Iranian TV series “Shahrzad,” which has gripped the attention of Iranians since it was first broadcast two years ago, has been high in drama. But real-life intrigues and allegations of corruption that dog the series, whose second season launched June 19, is just as exciting.


With an estimated cost of about 120 billion rials ($3.7 million), "Shahrzad" is viewed as one of the “largest and most expensive” in the history of Iran’s private cinema and television. The historical and romantic drama series takes place in the wake of the 1953 coup d'etat, when Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was overthrown, and focuses on a family saga that becomes even more complicated with power struggles, corruption, jealousy and mafia links. Directed by Hassan Fathi, it features Taraneh Alidoosti in the title role and Shahab Hosseini as the man who loves her. The role of corrupt bureaucrat Bozorg Agha, the head of a powerful mafia syndicate that had a strong role in the 1953 coup, is played by Ali Nassirian.

Despite criticisms about the accuracy and honesty of its historical-political narration, “Shahrzad” was successful from the start, but the second season has been marred by controversy.

In October, media outlets reported the arrest of Mohammad Emami, one of the show’s two producers, in connection with a financial scandal involving the Teachers Reserve Fund. Although the news was never officially denied or confirmed, it created doubts about the production of the second season.

On social media networks, hashtags such as No to Shahrzad and Question Shahrzad Producers began popping up. Fans demanded that the producers explain the funding sources for the show. Alidoosti responded to all the speculation in an Instagram post Oct. 25, writing, “Filming of Shahrzad season two has been underway for a month now. … Don’t worry and ignore the rumors.”



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