New York/ New Jersey, May 12, 2026:
ZEE5 has launched the trailer of Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel, a Hindi original drama series set in the feudal landscape of rural Uttar Pradesh. Starring Anshumaan Pushkar, Kumud Mishra, and Mahvash, the series is directed by Jai Basantu Singh and produced by RND Film LLP. Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel will premiere on ZEE5 on 22nd May 2026. The series also stars Upen Chauhan and Kashish Duggal in pivotal roles. Set against the backdrop of caste, power, and survival in rural Uttar Pradesh, the drama explores the emotional and political complexities of identity and revenge.
Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel follows Bablu Mahto, played by Anshumaan Pushkar, a young man raised in the shadows of humiliation and silence as the son of a Launda Naach performer. Growing up in a feudal world divided by caste and power, Bablu learns that survival lies not in strength, but in understanding how power moves. Living a double life as Bablu and Lalli, he begins to navigate two opposing worlds — one of control and one of performance — as he carefully sets into motion a dangerous game between two dominant families, the Singhs and the Pandeys. What begins as revenge soon transforms into a larger battle for dignity, access, and control.
The series stands out as a layered power drama rooted in the feudal politics of rural Uttar Pradesh. It explores Launda Naach not only as a cultural performance tradition, but also as a means of social survival. At the center of the story is a protagonist navigating a striking dual identity as Bablu and Lalli, allowing the narrative to move beyond revenge into themes of dignity, caste, control, emotional conflict, and identity.
At its core, Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel draws from the world of Launda Naach — a traditional North Indian folk form where men perform in female attire at community celebrations. The performers are not portraying a separate gender identity, but are ordinary men carrying forward a cultural performance tradition that has existed across generations in rural India. In the series, Launda Naach becomes more than cultural context; it serves as a lens to explore identity, dignity, masculinity, and survival within a deeply unequal society, bringing a rarely seen world to life with sensitivity, humanity, and depth.
Harish Goyal, Territory Head – Americas, ZEE Entertainment, said: “At ZEE5, we remain committed to bringing deeply rooted and culturally authentic stories to audiences across the globe. Satrangi - Badle Ka khel is a powerful example of storytelling that goes beyond entertainment to reflect social realities, identity, and resilience. With its layered narrative, compelling performances, and unique cultural backdrop, the series reinforces ZEE5’s vision of showcasing bold Indian stories that resonate strongly with audiences in India and across the South Asian diaspora worldwide.”
Speaking about the series, Director Jai Basantu Singh said, “At its core, Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel is about a man who understands that systems are not broken by force alone, but by learning how to move within them. Bablu’s journey through two identities allows him access to worlds that would otherwise remain closed, and that becomes the foundation of his game. The series explores revenge, yes, but more importantly it explores power — who holds it, who performs for it, and who dares to redesign it.”
Anshumaan Pushkar, who plays Bablu Mahto, said, “Bablu is a man who has spent his life being unseen, unheard, and underestimated, but beneath that silence is an incredibly sharp understanding of the world around him. His dual existence as Bablu and Lalli becomes his greatest strength as he learns to move through spaces of both power and performance. Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel is not just emotionally intense, but also psychologically layered, and I’m excited for audiences to witness that journey on ZEE5.”
Kumud Mishra said, “What drew me to Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel was the complexity of the world it builds — a world where power is never straightforward, relationships are driven by fear and pride, and every silence carries meaning. The series is deeply rooted, yet its emotional and political tensions feel universally relatable. That layered unpredictability is what makes this story truly engaging.”
Mahvash said, “Well living in a society which is designed to keep certain people invisible, this series ‘Satrangi - Badle Ka Khel’ is not just a revenge story but it is about the hunger of a man and the right of a human to get equal respect in this society like any other person. It is truly a very special one for me because I get to be a part of not only a strong narrative but finally the cinema that we deserve! Cinema that blends emotional vulnerability with such strong social undercurrents. Our audience keeps talking about how we need more good shows in the industry, well this one won’t disappoint them. You can enter this raw world of revenge, drama, and entertainment through ZEE5.”
