Mokhtarnameh (Persian: مختارنامه, lit. 'The Book of Mokhtar') is an Iranian historical epic television series directed by Davood Mir-Bagheri. It is based on the life of Mukhtar al-Thaqafi, an Alid revolutionary based in Kufa who led a rebellion against the Umayyad Caliphate in 685 to avenge the killing of Husayn, and ruled over most of Iraq and parts of northwestern Iran for eighteen months during the Second Fitna. More than 140 actors were cast in the series. It was originally shot in Persian language, and later dubbed into several other languages. The series is one of the most well-received Iranian TV shows worldwide, and it is aired on national TV every Muharram month.
Contents
Plot summary
After nine years of farming and away from the battlefield, Mukhtar returns to politics when Hasan ibn Ali is injured in his battle with Muawiyah's forces. Years later, Mukhtar arrives in Kufa to prepare for Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alī''s arrival. On Yazid's orders, Ibn Ziyad arrives and unites the people of Kufa against Husayn by using lies. Mukhtar is imprisoned to prevent the riot. He is released after the battle of Karbala on Yazid's orders. Mukhtar vows to avenge Husayn's death. Needing allies, he travels to Mecca and meets Ibn Zubayr. Mukhtar helps Ibn Zubayr's brother, Mus'ab, defeat an Umayyad assault; but no alliance is made. Mukhtar returns to Kufa and unites the people now that Ibn Ziyad has returned to Damascus and Kufa is leaderless. Mukhtar expels Ibn Zubayr's appointed governor and takes control of the city. During the next years he kills almost all of Husayn's murderers, including Ibn Ziyad, Umar and Shimr, while battling both Umayyad caliph and Ibn Zubayr's armies. Eventually he is defeated by Mus'ab's army and retreats to his palace in Kufa. After one year, Mukhtar orders his forces to march and break the siege; but only few follow him outside. Mukhtar is killed and Mus'ab surprisingly orders all of Mukhtar's soldiers who have surrendered to be decapitated.
Cast
Fariborz Arabnia as Al-Mukhtar
Zhaleh Olov as the mother of Al-Mukhtar
Davoud Rashidi as the father-in-law of Al-Mukhtar
Farhad Aslani as Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad
Amin Zendegani as Muslim ibn Aqeel
Reza Kianian as Abd Allah Ibn Zubayr
Mohammad-Reza Sharifinia as Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah
Seyed Javad Hashemi as the commander-in-chief of Hassan's army
Parvin Soleimani as a woman selling pickles
Vishka Asayesh as Ja'ada bint al-Ash Ath (Hassan ibn Ali's wife)
Gohar Kheirandish as Hannaneh
Hadis Fooladvand as Rahele (wife of Ibrahim ibn Malik al-Ashtar)
Elham Hamidi as Shirin (wife of Kian)
Kazem HajirAzad as Muhalab
Behnaz Jafari as Marieh (wife of Ubaidullah ibn Hurr Jofi)
Karim Akbari Mobarakeh as Ahmar ibn Shomait
Shabnam Farshadjoo
Fariba Kowsari as Umra (wife of Mukhtar)
Mehdi Fakhimzadeh as Umar ibn Sa'd
Production
The series, which took five years to complete, includes 40 episodes and is produced by Sima Film. The story reviews the events leading to the martyrdom of the Imams and ends with the adolescence of Mukhtar.
The film also deals with sixteen years of Mukhtar’s life and includes the death of Muawiyah, the succession of Yazid, and the events leading to Ashura and whatever related to the uprising of Mukhtar until his and his companions’ martyrdom.
Music
The soundtrack for Mokhtarnameh was made by Amir Tavassoli with a choir. It was sung by Akbar Soltanali and recorded, mixed, and mastered by Ramin Mazaheri in Baran Studio.