In the 1980s, the main form of home entertainment in Iran consisted of two TV channels and two radio stations. For those who were tired of watching or hearing news about the ongoing war with Iraq and sanctions, there was only one source of entertainment: old movies from the time of former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Despite the danger of being arrested and having to pay a fine or go to jail, people continued to watch videos by renting smuggled and banned VCRs. Media expert Dr. Fereydoun Ahmadvand told Al-Monitor, “One of the reasons videos became so popular among people and ultimately forced a retreat in the state’s position was the need for diversity and the desire to hear several voices and have cultural pluralism, which did not at all exist in Iran during the years of war.”
Home video entertainment is still one of few escapes from the Islamic Republic’s radio and television monopoly. In this vein, many believe that the TV series "Shahrzad," produced by the private sector and distributed mainly through supermarkets, has transformed the boundaries of official censorship in Iran. To be clear: "Shahrzad" is a local, legal production. Its license is issued by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which is operating under the supervision of President Hassan Rouhani, and not the state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
Some reports in Persian-language media sources have argued that "Shahrzad" is indicative of important political developments in recent years. They believe the series has caught those behind Iran’s censorship off guard — with censors perhaps not realizing its significance.
"Shahrzad" is centered on a love story between two university students and narrated in a historical setting. The story takes place in the early 1950s, amid one of the most important events in the Middle East at that time: the nationalization of Iran’s oil industry. The Aug. 19, 1953, coup d’etat that ousted then-Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh is also highlighted, raising additional interest among Iranians. Although the story unfolds in the context of Mossadegh’s historic efforts to nationalize Iran’s oil industry, many believe that the series is only an excuse to discuss something that is timeless.
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