Kurukshettra

Genre: Mythological epic / Adult-animation / Historical drama

Seasons / Episodes: 1 season, 18 episodes (Part 1 launched with 9 episodes; remaining 9 to follow). 

Runtime: Approximately 27-30 minutes per episode. 

Director / Writer / Creator:

Creator: Anu Sikka 

Director & Writer for Part 1 listed as Ujaan Ganguly in some trade announcements. 

Language: Original audio in Hindi; also available in English and other languages/dubs. 

Platform: Streaming on Netflix globally in many territories. 

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Synopsis

Set across the legendary 18-day battle of Kurukshetra War from the epic Mahabharata, this animated series adopts a fresh perspective by focusing on 18 key warriors — both Pandavas and Kauravas — and their personal conflicts, ethical dilemmas and internal struggles in the theatre of war. 

From diplomatic failure to the clash of ideals, from divine counsel to human frailty, the show interweaves mythic grandeur with introspective character journeys. Example episodes:

Episode 1 “Sanjay” – When peace talks collapse, the messenger Sanjay faces the grim reality of impending war. 

Episode 2 “Vishwaroop” – As battle looms, Krishna shows his divine form and attempts to steer Arjun toward duty. 

Episode 3 “Bhishm” – The invincible elder Bhishma’s past and his place in the war is explored. 

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What Works

Visual ambition & format: It’s relatively rare to see an Indian mythological epic in adult-animation format, and Kurukshetra embraces this by leveraging strong visuals and stylised animation to bring war-scenes and mythic set-pieces to life. The brevity of episodes (≈27-30 mins) keeps pace brisk and digestible.

Multiple perspectives: By exploring the war through numerous characters (rather than just the Pandava viewpoint), the show injects nuance and gives attention to lesser-highlighted warriors and their motivations. This enriches the epic’s moral complexity.

Accessibility for global audiences: With Hindi original track, multilingual audio and subtitles, the show makes the Mahabharata narrative more accessible to non-Hindi speaking viewers — a boon for its international release on Netflix. 

Strong opening episodes: The initial episodes do a fairly good job of establishing stakes, introducing characters and setting the tone for mythic war. They combine action, drama and reflection in a way that hooks the viewer.

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What Doesn’t Work

Compressed scope & pacing trade-offs: The Mahabharata is vast; condensing an 18-day war into 18 (or initially 9) episodes means trade-offs. Some character arcs feel rushed or under-developed, and the weight of backstory sometimes gets abbreviated. A number of critics point out that “nearly impossible to get all the conflicts so soon”. 

Character overload & name fatigue: With so many warriors and mythic names, viewers unfamiliar with the epic might struggle to keep track of who’s who, their allegiances and motivations. One review notes that “while the series can be overwhelming due to the number of characters and names”. 

Variable writing depth: While the animation and visuals are bold, some of the scripting and characterisation feel more functional than deeply textured. The shift between mythic spectacle and intimate emotional moments could have been smoother — at times the show prioritises grandeur over introspection.

Expectation for myth-purists: Those deeply familiar with the Mahabharata may find deviations, accelerations or omissions notable — so if one is seeking a full, reverent, minute-by-minute retelling, the format may feel truncated or interpretive.

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Final Rating

As an entertainment journalist and lover of Indian cinema and television, I find Kurukshetra: The Great War of Mahabharata to be a compelling modern reinvention of a timeless myth — daring in format, visually engaging, and globally accessible — but not without its narrative compromises.

I assign it a rating of 7.0 / 10.

It’s a strong watch for those who want mythological spectacle with contemporary polish; but for viewers seeking exhaustive depth or flawless adaptation, it’s best enjoyed with flexibility in expectations.