Kurukshetra review: Rushed, yet nostalgic animated journey back to the Mahabharata

Kurukshetra story:

Kurukshetra begins with the deep-seated animosity between the Pandava and Kaurava cousins reaching its breaking point after a treacherous game of dice leads to the public humiliation of Queen Draupadi, igniting her unquenchable thirst for justice. This singular event solidifies the path to war, a path paved by Duryodhana's insatiable ambition and the conflicted loyalties of elders like Bhishma, who are bound by solemn oaths. As the two sides amass their armies, the narrative fractures, revealing the complex relationship between personal motivations and moral dilemmas through the eyes of 18 different warriors. Their individual journeys of duty, love, and vengeance converge on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where the legendary warrior Arjuna is thrown into a profound crisis, forced to raise arms against his kin, and ultimately learns from Lord Krishna that in this devastating war of righteousness, the traditional lines between friend and foe have dissolved into a complex tapestry of personal dharma and tragic destiny.

Kurukshetra review:

Since childhood, my favourite mythological book to read has been Mahabharata. All thanks to Amar Chitra Katha, the lucid language and the illustrations helped me learn about the fascinating stories as well as intriguing characters that have still stayed with me. Over the years, what I always found interesting about the epic was how human beings redefined the characters, and in real life, we see similar ideologies—good, harmful, and worse—still followed by people. Watching Kurukshetra definitely took me back to childhood, as the animation constantly reminded me of the comics that kept me entertained throughout. But did it keep me as engaged as those comic books did? Here we go...

The Netflix animated series is technically all about those 18 days of the Mahabharata when the Pandavas and Kauravas pitted against each other without any remorse. Despite the sequences taking place on the battlefield, they transport us back to each character's journey, revealing the reasons and consequences of the war. The series commences with the death of Arjuna's son Abhimanyu, a pivotal moment that altered the entire trajectory of the war. But then, we are shown how King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari, blinded away from the world, are forced to see how their sons demonise themselves in the thirst for the throne.

ALSO READ: Kurukshetra: Lord Krishna introduces the Pandavas and Draupadi as 'Pillars of Dharma' in new video

The first season consists of nine episodes, each corresponding to a day of the total battle. While the series is detailed and intriguing, despite its quick pacing, it reminds us of every character who may have been forgotten or overlooked in comparison to the Pandavas, the Kauravas, and Lord Krishna, who play the most significant roles in the Mahabharata.

The episodes are so fast that you may need to pause and play to see what happened. For example, there's an episode of Ghatotkacha, who is the son of Bheema and Hidimba. He appears suddenly, and we learn his backstory and how he came to protect his family.

Another fascinating chapter is about Jayadratha, who was among the people who trapped Abhimanyu in the chakravyuh. The portrayal of his ultimate death was well executed, but the story still felt incomplete.

The main issue I had with Kurukshetra is the pace at which it was going. Given the span of nine episodes for the first part, it still felt rushed. I am not expecting it to be similar to the popular TV series Mahabharat, either in 1988 or 2013. However, since the series demonstrated high levels of detail in production, it stabilised after about four episodes.

Anu Sikka, who is known for creating several animated series for kids, takes on Kurukshetra with an execution that takes a positive turn by bringing the backstory on the battlefield and not going chronologically like how most adaptations are done. I remember Ektaa R. Kapoor's version of Mahabharata titled Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki began with Draupadi's Vastraharan (disrobing), which was the final ignition for the war as it came down to the dignity of Panchali. That series went sequentially and eventually went off air.

This series focuses on Kurukshetra, explaining how and why the characters are positioned on opposite sides of the battlefield and what each death signifies as it occurs.

It's a known fact, though I'm not sure how many know, that the Bhagavad Gita is the monologue that Lord Krishna recites to Arjuna just before the war begins, showing the true purpose of the Mahabharata. Yes, I really loved that sequence, which was mostly short and precise with a summary of Hinduism's holy book.

Meanwhile, Ujaan Ganguly has directed the episodes, and although most animated series like this are primarily suitable for children, the pacing of this one feels faster than necessary for full entertainment.

The songs, written by Gulzar, provide a much better explanation and have a deeper impact due to the legend's extensive knowledge and influence through his writing. But it's mainly for people like us, who know the prowess of Gulzar's penmanship.

However, if you are looking for a quick and breezy watch with decent animation that is not particularly remarkable, Kurukshetra could be the right choice for your limited time. This is just the first season with nine episodes, and the end is not even near yet.

Kurukshetra verdict:

While Kurukshetra is a valiant animated endeavour, its pacing often severely undermines viewer engagement. Though it expertly brings forgotten warriors to the forefront and deserves credit for its non-linear storytelling, the narrative is so rushed that viewers might feel they are watching the fastest 18-day war ever fought. If you are willing to overlook the speed of the battle for a nostalgic trip back to your Amar Chitra Katha days, this series will certainly make a mark—just be ready to hit the pause button to keep up with the Kauravas and Pandavas.

FAQs:

Q: When does the Netflix animated series Kurukshetra premiere?

A: The animated series Kurukshetra is set to premiere its first season on October 10 on Netflix.

Q: Who voices Lord Krishn in the Kurukshetra animated series?

A: Lord Krishn, the guide and philosopher of the epic, is voiced by Sahil Vaid.

Q: Who is the creator and director of the Kurukshetra series?

A: The series was conceptualised and created by Anu Sikka. Ujaan Ganguly serves as the writer and director.