Kurukshetra (2025): Netflix’s Animated Retelling of the Mahabharata Battle

Netflix is set to premiere an ambitious animated series titled Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata on October 10, 2025. This project marks one of Netflix’s most bold entries into mythological storytelling—reimagining the 18-day war not just as spectacle, but through the emotional lenses of 18 key warriors.

Concept & Structure of Kurukshetra

• Two Parts, 18 Episodes: The series is structured in two parts, each containing nine episodes, corresponding to the 18 days of war in the Mahabharata.
• Multiple Perspectives: Unlike traditional tellings centered on central heroes, Kurukshetra explores the conflict from the perspectives of multiple warriors—examining their moral dilemmas, betrayals, doubts, relationships, and sacrifices.
• Creator & Team: The show has been conceptualized by Anu Sikka and produced under the banner Tipping Point, with Ujaan Ganguly handling writing and direction. The lyricist Gulzar is credited for the poetic depth woven into the narrative.
• Animation + Mythology: This is among India’s first mythological series told through high-end animation. The visuals aim to combine classic epic scale with modern aesthetic sensibilities, bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary storytelling.

Release & Platform

The entire series will stream globally on Netflix starting October 10, 2025. It is a global release, signaling Netflix’s ambition to reach audiences both in India and abroad. The official listing tags it as Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata.

Netflix has positioned Kurukshetra as a flagship animated mythological project—its first of this kind in India. The show’s promotion emphasizes that the war is not just about weapons and battles, but about choice, duty, identity, and the human heart within the epic.

What the Critics Are Saying

Early reviews are mixed but largely favorable, particularly praising the ambition and visual scope. Some common points emerging from the reviews:

• Spectacle & Ambition: Critics admire the show’s scale—its animated war sequences, visual design, and world building. The sheer ambition of bringing the Mahabharata to life through animation has won praise.
• Emotional Weight & Character Focus: The decision to humanize warriors by showing internal conflicts, motivations, and emotional stakes is considered a strength. Some reviewers feel this brings freshness to a well-worn epic.
• Narrative Density & Pacing: A few critics note that in pushing to cover 18 days and 18 characters, the storytelling sometimes feels crammed. Some arcs don’t get the breathing room they might deserve.
• Cultural Resonance & Adaptation Risks: Because the Mahabharata has countless retellings, some see Kurukshetra taking creative risks—changes in characterization or emphasis may not align with all traditional expectations. But many view that risk as part of its modern reinterpretation.

One review commented that the show “turns the Mahabharata war into an epic spectacle,” but felt it occasionally sacrifices depth for grandeur. Another described it as a compelling re-visioning that reinvigorates a story many think they know.

What Makes Kurukshetra Stand Out

• Narrative Experimentation: Not content to merely retell the war, the show crafts an ensemble narrative, giving voice to perspectives often sidelined.
• Visual Bridge: It attempts to balance mythic grandeur with animation quality that appeals to younger audiences and international viewers.
• Emotional Complexity: Beyond swords and arrows, the show emphasizes loyalty, guilt, vengeance, regret, and deeper moral conflict.
• Cultural & Global Ambition: It is clearly designed to place Indian mythological storytelling in conversation with global animated epics, aiming for resonance beyond the subcontinent.

What to Expect as You Watch

Viewers tuning in can expect:

• Rich visual set pieces, including large battle sequences and symbolic landscapes
• Intimate character moments—dialogues, doubts, and decisions under pressure
• A narrative that weaves between battlefield action and inner turmoil
• Soundtrack and lyrics (by Gulzar) that aim to amplify emotional tone
• Surprises in interpretation—some characters may appear differently than in traditional tellings

For fans of the Mahabharata, expect some familiar beats—but also space for reinterpretation. For newcomers, this may be an engaging entry into epic mythology.