The Empire (2021)
Created byNikkhil Advani
StarringDino Morea, Shabana Azmi, Kunal Kapoor, Aditya Seal
Watch onVI movies and tv, JioHotstar
NetworkDisney+ Hotstar
Best for: Viewers who enjoy Hindi period dramas about war, politics and royal family conflict.
Where to watch The Empire online in India
Subscription
VI movies and tv
JioHotstarFree with ads
JioHotstarAvailability for India, data by JustWatch. Updated 23 October 2026.
The Empire: new episodes and status
| Status | Ended |
|---|---|
| Last episode aired | 27 August 2021 |
Episode dates as listed on TMDB.
The Empire seasons and episodes
| Season | Premiered | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 27 August 2021 | 8 |
The Empire story (no spoilers)
The Empire is a Hindi-language period drama that premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on 27 August 2021. Across its single season of eight episodes, the series follows a king who must battle enemies, fate, family, death and even himself in search of his kingdom. The story is set in a world of war and politics, with the central figure facing threats from without and within as he tries to hold onto power. The show blends drama, action and adventure with war and politics, and features an ensemble cast including Kunal Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Dino Morea and Aditya Seal. Created by Nikkhil Advani and directed by Mitakshara Kumar, each episode runs about 42 minutes. The tone is serious and conflict-driven, focusing on the personal and political struggles of its royal characters. The Empire ended after its first season, so the eight episodes tell a complete story without a second season.
Should you watch The Empire?
Watch it for
- Kunal Kapoor leads as Babur, with Shabana Azmi as Aisan Daulat Begum and Dino Morea as Muhammad Shaybani in an eight-episode ensemble.
- Creator Nikkhil Advani and director Mitakshara Kumar bring a war-and-politics drama that mixes action with family conflict.
- Each episode runs about 42 minutes, making the eight-episode season easy to pace over a week.
- The series is in Hindi and streams on Disney+ Hotstar, with the full season available since 27 August 2021.
Skip it if
- You prefer lighter, contemporary stories; this is a war-and-politics drama with a serious tone.
- You want a long-running series; The Empire has only one season of eight episodes and has ended.
- You dislike period settings and royal power struggles, which form the core of the plot.
The Empire cast
Dino Moreaas Muhammad Shaybani8 episodes
Shabana Azmias Aisan Daulat Begum8 episodes
Kunal Kapooras Babur8 episodes
Aditya Sealas Humayun8 episodes
Drashti Dhamias Khanzada Begum8 episodes
Sahher Bambbaas Maham Begum8 episodes
Rahul Devas Wazir Khan8 episodes
Rishabh Sawhneyas Mahmood8 episodesThe Empire details
| Created by | Nikkhil Advani |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mitakshara Kumar |
| Written by | Bhavani Iyer |
| First episode | 27 August 2021 |
| Seasons / episodes | 1 / 8 |
| Typical episode length | 42 minutes |
| Network | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Original language | Hindi |
| Country of origin | India |
| Languages spoken | Hindi |
Parental guide: is The Empire family friendly?
This is a general guide based on the war-and-politics genre; the series is not specifically made for young children. This is a general guide based on genre and certification.
The Empire official trailer
Our verdict
The Empire is a compact eight-episode drama that puts Babur and his family at the centre of a war-and-politics story. With Kunal Kapoor and Shabana Azmi in the cast and Nikkhil Advani creating, it is a straightforward pick for fans of Hindi period dramas. Just know it is a single, ended season, so you are getting one complete arc rather than an ongoing show.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch The Empire online in India?
The Empire is available on Disney+ Hotstar, and it is also listed on JioHotstar for free streaming in India.
How many seasons and episodes does The Empire have?
The Empire has one season with eight episodes, all premiering on 27 August 2021.
Has The Empire ended?
Yes, The Empire has ended; its status is listed as Ended after the first season.
Who is in the cast of The Empire?
The cast includes Kunal Kapoor as Babur, Shabana Azmi as Aisan Daulat Begum, Dino Morea as Muhammad Shaybani, Aditya Seal as Humayun and Drashti Dhami as Khanzada Begum, among others.
How long is each episode of The Empire?
Each episode of The Empire runs for about 42 minutes.
Page last updated 23 October 2026. Facts from TMDB; how we write these pages: editorial policy.