Kurukshetra Review: Netflix’s new animated epic brings the Mahabharata alive for a new generation

Kurukshetra Review

A compact take on a vast epic

‘Kurukshetra’ arrives as a visually ambitious and narratively compact retelling of one of India’s most enduring epics. In a format that runs just 22 minutes per episode, it distills the massive canvas of the Mahabharata into a focused, war-driven narrative. Each episode zeroes in on a particular hero from the battlefield, creating a rhythm that feels both intimate and urgent. The first part of the series, spanning nine episodes, spotlights nine warriors and their moments of valour, doubt, and destiny. The storytelling, aided by Gulzar’s dignified commentary, is direct and unpretentious. The language, while formal, remains accessible, and the pacing ensures that every episode serves its purpose without any indulgence.

The Eighteen days that shaped destiny

At its core, the series narrows its scope to the eighteen-day war between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Everything outside this time frame is treated as context—offered only when necessary to understand a character’s motivation or a turn of fate. This deliberate choice allows ‘Kurukshetra’ to maintain a disciplined focus, but it also means that certain layers of the Mahabharata—the politics, philosophy, and emotional subplots—are brushed aside. The result is a version of the epic that feels stripped down, almost minimalist, but still potent in the themes it chooses to highlight: the fragility of honour, the futility of pride, and the tragedy of a family tearing itself apart. While some viewers may find the simplification too drastic, it serves a purpose—it opens the story to a generation that might otherwise find the Mahabharata too dense or inaccessible.

Animation that serves, but doesn’t soar

The animation, though uneven at times, brings a certain gravitas to the battlefield scenes. The textures and colour palette are earthy and grounded, evoking an ancient world without resorting to exaggerated fantasy. Yet, it’s hard to ignore that the production doesn’t quite match the slick polish of other global animated shows on Netflix. The characters, especially the secondary ones, tend to blend into each other with similar facial structures and body types, occasionally making it difficult to tell them apart. Despite this, the larger set pieces—chariot duels, battle formations, and divine interventions—are crafted with an energy that holds attention. There’s a faint echo of BR Chopra’s ‘Mahabharata’ here, especially in tone and design.

Stories within the war

Structurally, the series employs a non-linear narrative that oscillates between moments of intense combat and reflective flashbacks. This back-and-forth movement deepens our understanding of each hero’s moral struggle. In these moments, ‘Kurukshetra’ transcends the confines of an animated adaptation and ventures into something more philosophical. The internal conflicts of its characters—Arjuna’s hesitation, Abhimanyu’s courage, Karna’s anguish—are where the show feels most alive. These are the sequences that remind viewers that mythology, when told right, isn’t about divine perfection but about human frailty. The emotions—guilt, loyalty, doubt—are rendered with dignity.

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Respectful yet restrained

And yet, for all its strengths, ‘Kurukshetra’ doesn’t entirely escape the limitations of its format. There are stretches where style overtakes substance, where the show’s ambition to look grand comes at the cost of emotional depth. Still, there’s a sincerity that runs through every frame—a sense that the creators are not trying to modernize the Mahabharata but to make it relatable again. For viewers unfamiliar with the original epic, this series offers an accessible entry point; for those who grew up watching it on Doordarshan, it’s a reminder of how timeless the story remains. Kurukshetra may not redefine the Mahabharata, but it reinterprets it with restraint, respect, and just enough flair to hold your attention.

Rating: 3.5/5