Introduction
The epic of Mahabharata, a timeless saga of dharma, duty, and devastating conflict, has been told and retold for centuries. Netflix’s ambitious new animated series, Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata, which premiered on October 10, 2025, attempts to offer a fresh perspective on this ancient tale. From creator Anu Sikka and writer/director Ujaan Ganguly, this release constitutes Part 1 of a larger story, with this initial installment containing nine episodes. Focusing on the pivotal 18-day war, with this part exploring the conflict through the eyes of nine different warriors, the series is a visually grand but narratively uneven attempt to capture the heart of the epic.
What Works: The Soul of the Series
The series finds its soul and its most powerful anchor in the narration of the legendary poet and lyricist, Gulzar. His deep baritone and profound, lyrical lines about dharma, karma, and the human condition elevate every frame. When Gulzar speaks, the animation transcends the screen, and you are transported to the blood-soaked plains of Kurukshetra. His voice provides the emotional depth and philosophical weight that the rest of the production sometimes struggles to achieve.
A Brilliant and Unique Premise
The core concept of the series is its greatest strength. The full 18-episode arc is designed to tell the story through the individual perspectives of 18 key warriors. This first part delivers on half of that promise, focusing on nine figures, from the mighty Bhishma to the conflicted Karna. This approach moves beyond a simple good-versus-evil narrative, allowing viewers to explore the moral dilemmas and internal struggles of each character caught in the vortex of conflict.
Grand Visuals and an Epic Scale
There’s no denying the ambition of the animation. While it can feel uneven at times, the series aims for a massive scale and often achieves it. The battlefield scenes are vast and chaotic, divine weapons light up the sky with celestial power, and the intricate details on armor and chariots are beautifully rendered. The art style effectively captures the sheer magnitude of the Mahabharata, creating a world that feels both ancient and epic.
Embracing Moral Complexity
Another commendable aspect is the show’s effort to portray its characters in shades of grey. It acknowledges that in a war of this scale, the lines between right and wrong become blurred. The Pandavas are shown to be driven by grief and a thirst for retribution, while the motivations of the Kauravas are explored beyond simple villainy. This focus on complexity is a welcome departure from more simplistic retellings.
Areas for Improvement: A Flawed Epic
However, the series’ grand ambition is hampered by some significant flaws. While Gulzar’s narration is stellar, much of the other voice acting feels flat and unemotional. In a story defined by intense passion, grief, and rage, many line deliveries lack the required depth, making pivotal character moments feel hollow and unconvincing. This stark contrast between the narrator and the characters can be jarring.
One-Dimensional Character Portrayals
The unique premise of exploring different perspectives feels like a missed opportunity when it comes to key characters. Towering figures like Bhishma and Dronacharya, whose internal conflicts are the cornerstone of the epic, are often portrayed as too one-dimensional. Their profound dilemmas are glossed over, reducing them to archetypes rather than the deeply conflicted men they are in the source material.
A Potentially Confusing Narrative
For viewers who aren’t already well-versed in the Mahabharata, the storytelling might prove confusing. The narrative jumps between timelines and uses truncated flashbacks that don’t always sufficiently explain the deep-seated motivations and ancient wounds that led to the war. In its ambition to cover a lot of ground, the series sometimes sacrifices narrative clarity.
The Final Verdict
Kurukshetra Part 1 is a bold, beautiful, but flawed retelling of a timeless epic. It is a visually striking and thoughtful attempt to explore the Mahabharata through a fresh lens, but it’s hampered by inconsistent voice acting and a lack of character depth. However, the series is worth watching for one reason above all else: Gulzar. His narration single-handedly elevates the entire experience, making it a compelling watch despite its shortcomings. If you enjoy mythological tales and are open to a new perspective, Kurukshetra offers enough grandeur and philosophical depth to keep you hooked, leaving you to await news on the release of the concluding second part.
