Director: Hadi Hejazifar
Cast: Hadi Hejazifar, Vahid Aghapour, Rohollah Zamani, Jila Shahi, Vahid Hejazifar
Ashura is a 2023 Iranian historical drama series directed by Hadi Hejazifar, depicting the courage and sacrifice of key commanders during Iran's Sacred Defense — the eight-year war with Iraq — weaving together documented battlefield events with intimate portraits of those who gave their lives on the front lines.
What is Ashura about?
The series centers on the lives and final days of Hamid Bakeri and Mehdi Bakeri, two brothers who became emblematic figures of the Iran-Iraq war era. Through their stories, viewers witness the grinding campaigns of major offensives — including operations carried out at Khaybar and Badr — and the unsung perseverance of the soldiers who fought within the 31st Ashura Division. Rather than dramatizing glory alone, the show turns its lens on the quieter moments between battles: the bonds forged under pressure, the weight of command, and the personal convictions that drove ordinary men to stand in extraordinarily dangerous circumstances.
Cast & crew
Director Hadi Hejazifar, known for his deep engagement with Sacred Defense cinema, also takes on a leading role in the series, bringing both behind-the-camera vision and on-screen presence. He is joined by Vahid Aghapour, Rohollah Zamani, Jila Shahi, Vahid Hejazifar, Masoume Rabaninia, and Pedram Velayat Moghadam in a cast assembled from prominent names in Iranian television drama.
Context & significance
War narratives occupy a unique and emotionally charged place in Iranian culture, and Ashura sits squarely within that tradition. For diaspora viewers who grew up hearing family stories about the Sacred Defense years, the series offers a point of connection — however complex the relationship with that history might be. The show's focus on the Bakeri brothers gives it a human anchor, translating a large historical conflict into personal grief, loyalty, and moral choice. Produced in 2023, it signals continued investment in Iranian state-adjacent historical drama, and for viewers outside Iran it offers a window into how the war is remembered and narrated domestically — context that carries its own interpretive weight.
Where & how to watch
Ashura is available on K-Time with original Persian audio. You can watch on the web browser, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Subscribe and cancel anytime.