User Reviews

What a nice beautiful show! Brings back the memories of 90s. The portrays a time when people things aren't as straightforward as now, and the language of love is mostly spoken by eyes than words, even though the protagonists (especially the college students) are very hep and forward thinking. Loved the story of Sarita and Akhtar and Akhtar's friendship with Sudhakar. The show is at just the pace it is supposed to be. Exactly how it was in the 90s. Slow and steady. Brilliantly done Netflix!

Well written & directed Love the cinematography & ERA of 1989. Poetic & meaning of love is so well executed.

The series tries too hard to 'be cool'. It depicts 1989 but tries to be post-modern in its attitude. That just doesn't feel right. There are some excellent actors in Kabi and Kulkarni, but could have been handled better by more self-assured creative leadership.

This was just awesome! the amount of research in the content of the show was amazing. The amount of details on the characters specially the friend of the professor.

It was a treat to watch this series!

I loved this show. Even though I'm just an average white guy and missed many of the cultural references, the themes of the show and the relationships were universal. I found the relationship between uncle and Mumtaz to be especially touching. Would recommend for anyone who is looking for an original, thoughtful show.

This show works primarily for its simplicity. Ironically enough, at times its unpretentious flavour seems so unembellished, without the usual ingredients of contemporary web-series (like thrill, drama, hook points, etc) that it seems a minimalist recipe dished out from Doordarshan days. And between it's old-world charm and occasionally dated demeanor, this feel-good piece finds a space of its own.

The title 'Taj Mahal 1989' might seem misleading as the monument of love finds reference only in the last episode. The story is largely set in Lucknow (7 hours away from Taj Mahal) and is predominantly about 3 individual tracks that loosely connect at some point in the series. The first is about a couple (Neeraj Kabi-Geetanjali Kulkarni) having regular couple compatibility issues which escalates towards a divorce consideration. The second is about a man who has a live-in relationship with an erstwhile sex-worker (Sheeba Chaddha - Danish Husain). The third is about friends turning foes over campus politics and some love tracks in between (a subplot largely dealt in Mirzapur). None of the stories are path-breaking in nature. Still with an easygoing feel-good charm, each one passes off.

The setting is in the year 1989. However the period is touched only marginally and the retro era does not add any element or character of its own (like say a show like 'Yeh Meri Family'). The plots however are relatable even today.

The major issue with the show is that it takes a little too long to come to its point. For the first 3 episodes, the characters are just getting established and the storytelling is so scattered that you aren't sure who are you following or rooting for in the show. Also most episodes do not end on any cliffhangers. So chances are if you aren't patient enough, you might leave the show in between. The new trend of just 25-30 minute episode runtime gives some respite.

Performances is one department where even the average shows today do not disappoint. Even this one boasts of convincing acts. Veteran actors like Neeraj Kabi, Sheeba Chaddha and Marathi actress Geetanjali Kulkarni do a commendable job. From the newer lot Anud Singh Dhaka is particularly impressive. He has a Ranveer Singh hangover in his looks and performance but has good scene presence from the start though he gets more scope only eventually. He gets to play one of the most righteous roles that an actor might have played off late when everyone usually have shades of grey to them. The female cast of Anshul Chauhan and Shirin Sewani are charming and confident.

'Taj Mahal 1989' is a show that evokes mixed emotions from you. At moments you like it, at moments you feel there's nothing special. You won't regret watching it. But it isn't a must-watch either.

Awesome plot and story. looks like its golden age of television in india

It's a very well made show with excellent acting by one and all. Even the young actors Anud sing and Anshul Chauhan have acted very well. Without the use of excessive foul language, violence or sex, unlike most web series these days, Tajmahal 1989 is very refreshing. Thanks to the team!

Some excellent realistic performances. Loved it. Depicting love in a very elegant manner.

People always have negative thought about Indian drama, which includes me as well. But this one is quite new to me. It's cinematography is so good compared to typical Indian drama we've seen a lot in memes. The story line is quite good, every character are linked in some ways and I really like when they talked about philosophy. Not that deep but it felt good when something informative are mentioned. Everything seems natural and realistic like nowadays series that we found normally in Netflix. (Typical new wave) So it is a recommended one, nice to binge.

Well written and very well acted. Such an accurate recreation of an era gone by. Probably the best Netflix Indian show till now.

This series is simple sweet series contain lots of drama...This series is totally different from today kind of web series...The best part of series is it teach us not to judge anyone according to their past.

The series claims to be of 1989, but it got everything wrong. They recreated some period pieces like karamchand to bring upon a nostalgic feeling, but make no mistake, this is absolute trash.

Here characters hug in cafes, youth are shown to be okay with pre-marital sex, cakes in bakeries look like cakes from today, people are celebrating Valentine's Day in 1989!! They just got NOTHING right.

The female college goer talks like an absolute bimbo who's interested in nothing but materialism, another wannabe cool character thinks this obsession with sex covers up for his inability to understand "love"....and all character stupidly go on saying they don't understand what is "love". Like, seriously?? How crass can the makers be? Have you ever heard about something called "characterization "??

I don't know who from Netflix decides on these kind of shows to be brought from India, but whoever that person is, they got it very wrong to give unskilled directors and makers to make such a tacky, cringe show.

I feel like I wasted my time by watching the first episode. And of course it's tough to go beyond that.

The story is excellent, realistic and romanctic. Very good a acting. Thank you NETFLIX

The show portrays an era where love was not diluted by technology. Shot in Uttar Pradesh ,it gets most of the references of its time right. Even though sometimes the show might get less pacy, the little stories that try to figure out love , finally knitting up on a larger narrative makes it interesting. Everyone has their definition of love , and I must say this one by Netflix was lovely. Binge watch worthy.

Story of simpler times, a more tolerant society. Sets feel real, local, aligned with the 80s. Shoutout tO the director/writer for capturing the originality of Lucknow rather so well. The cast stands out too; everyone performs to the best of their abilities. However, the work of the ensemble cast from the older generation showcased more finesse (but obvious). I loved how it all culminates at last. More power to Netflix india.

Sunio, Kahiyo, Dil Se Dilon Ki Jo Batein Hain will haunt me for a long, long, time- so the Lyricist and Amar Mangrulkar deserves my heartfelt thanks as does the gentle gaze of Will Humphries on objects, people, and the scene before him. The casting was impeccable - I am sure Paras Priyadarshan wud be grateful for attaining escape velocity from his Fogg Ads! There are several nuggets too that were so endearing be it the play on "cope" or even the supercomic "Akhilesh Tendon" - not to speak of "Taiyan".

The conversations on philosophy are so deceptive and filled in like "throwaways" in keeping with the languid pace of the series (although it picked up pace near its conclusion) but also so profound as one muses on them. Brilliant. Anshul Chauhan says in the end that you dont find love when you look for it - her sweet disposition so convincingly worn may perhaps obviate the need for her to search hard for new roles. I kept thinking that probably it is the first time Danish Hussein played "against type".

Overall, I felt so good in this excursion of Taj Mahal. Hope there is more from the Flying Saucer stable!

Congratulations, Taj Mahal team!

The show claims to be the story of 1989 but lacks realism bigtime. Trains didn't have green coloured coaches in 1989. Agra station didn't have their names written in black on a perfectly yellow background. Trees weren't painted red and white back then. Books available in India didn't have barcodes back then.

If you are making a show claiming it to be from 1989, pay attention to detail.

Simple straight forward story telling. Explores love in different age, change between old school and new, love beyond physical relation...goes on and on. I wouldn't not say it is the most perfect drama, but certainly watchable.

Beautifully written and directed, superb acting full entertainment

Each character played fabulously good, hoping to see more.

Fabulous! Out of this world! Thanks Pushpendra ji! Splendid performances by one and all! But most noteworthy in my opinion (in the same order as given) are:- Danish Husain Sheeba Chaddha Neeraj Kabi Geetanjali Kulkarni Anud Singh Dhaka & Anshul

This is such a beautiful way of portraying love. Pure & simple...

It can't be telling the story of 1989... I just couldn't watch past 2 nd episode.. I loved yeh mera ghar.. but this one is unbearable.. I'm an avid TV watcher...