A Mythic Retelling: Kurukshetra Animation Steps Into the Spotlight
On October 10, 2025, Netflix will bring to life one of India’s greatest epics in an entirely new visual form. The animated series Kurukshetra is set to hit the platform, and its trailer—released recently—offers a powerful glimpse into this bold reinterpretation of the Mahabharata. In a landscape where mythological adaptations are becoming more ambitious, this one aims to stand out by focusing on moral complexity, internal conflict and sweeping drama.
A Glimpse from the Trailer: War, Choice and Inner Turmoil
The trailer opens with thunderous visuals and the weight of destiny. Instead of simply staging battle scenes, Kurukshetra promises to explore the internal worlds of the warriors locked in conflict. The narrative invites the audience to see beyond “good vs evil” into the gray zones of loyalty, duty and betrayal.
One line in the teaser captures this approach: “Iss yuddh mein na koi mitra hai, na koi shatru” (“In this war there is no friend or foe”)—a phrase that underscores the show’s theme that epic battles are never just external. Legends like Arjuna’s moral crisis, Draupadi’s unwavering resolve, Duryodhana’s ambition and Bhishma Pitamah’s wisdom all appear to carry new emotional depth in this retelling.
Visually, the animation looks poised and expressive. The trailer suggests sweeping landscapes, dynamic battle scenes and character closeups that emphasize emotion more than spectacle. There’s a deliberate choice to let the faces tell part of the story.
Creators, Team and Vision
The series is created by Anu Sikka, produced under the banner of Tipping Point, with Ujaan Ganguly at the helm as writer-director. The animation work is handled by Hitech Animation, a name known for ambitious projects, and the lyrical voice of Gulzar adds a poetic dimension to the storytelling.
In statements about the show, its makers emphasize that Kurukshetra is the first mythological anime from Netflix India. It’s not just retelling an epic; it’s reshaping how myth can speak to modern sensibilities. The decision to frame the story through the perspectives of 18 key warriors indicates an attempt to break the usual hero-villain molds and invite empathy with even those cast as antagonists.
What Sets It Apart
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Multiple perspectives over rigid morality
Instead of painting sides in black and white, the series is promising moral complexity. Each warrior has their own stakes, regrets and contradictions. -
Emotional stakes over brute action
While war scenes are part of the show, the emphasis seems to be on how the conflict tears families apart, disturbs inner peace and challenges dharma (duty).
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Aesthetic ambition
From what the trailer shows, there’s a bold visual commitment: sweeping battlefield vistas, dramatic lighting, and expressive character moments. The animation isn’t there merely for spectacle—it’s a vehicle for emotion. -
Bridging old and new
With myth as its backbone, Kurukshetra is aiming to resonate with contemporary viewers. Ancient lines and philosophies are placed in conversation with modern storytelling techniques.
Expectations, Challenges & Promise
The project carries high expectations. The Mahabharata has been retold many times—in plays, TV series, films and books. The risk here is that comparisons are inevitable. But Kurukshetra may succeed if it delivers on its promise of psychological depth.
Challenges include pacing (too many viewpoints can dilute focus), balancing battlefield spectacle with human drama, and ensuring that the animation lives up to the ambition. Also, viewers who approach myth with reverence may be cautious of reinterpretation—but art often thrives in that tension.
If Kurukshetra strikes the balance right, it could become a benchmark in mythological storytelling on Indian OTT platforms. It might inspire a new generation to revisit these ancient stories not as static relics, but as living conversations.
The Promise of October 10
As the premiere date draws near, viewers are watching closely. The trailer has already stirred curiosity—will Kurukshetra be a visual spectacle, a philosophical meditation, or both? The ambition is there. The heart of the story remains universal: when war divides kin, when duty burdens the soul, when each choice echoes across generations.
On October 10, we’ll see if the warriors come alive in a way that goes beyond legends—and taps the deeper chords of the human conflict within.
Also read: https://channel6network.com/durga-puja-2025-immersion-at-risk/
