Streaming giant Netflix has announced its upcoming animated mythological series Kurukshetra, inspired by the timeless Indian epic Mahabharata. The platform revealed the first look motion poster of the series on social media, sparking excitement among fans.

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A Fresh Take on Mahabharata

Unlike traditional retellings, Kurukshetra offers a unique narrative lens. The story unfolds through the perspectives of 18 key warriors, exploring not only their battlefield heroics but also their inner conflicts, personal rivalries, and moral dilemmas.

The epic war of Kurukshetra — a clash between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness) — will be reimagined for modern audiences, blending mythology with powerful visual storytelling.

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Release Date and Production Details

• Release Date: October 10, 2025
• Format: Animated Mythological Series
• Creator: Anu Sikka
• Producers: Alok Jain, Anu Sikka, Ajit Andhare (Tipping Point Production)
• Writer & Director: Ujjan Ganguly
• Lyricist: Gulzar

The involvement of veteran poet Gulzar in penning the series’ lyrical elements adds a touch of poetic grandeur to the narrative.

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Netflix Announcement

Netflix India shared the first look motion poster with the caption:
“Shankhnaad ke sath arambh hoga dharm aur adharm ka mahayudh. Watch Kurukshetra, out 10 October, only on Netflix.”

Fans quickly filled the comments section with enthusiasm. Reactions ranged from “Omgggg Finallyyyyy” to “Waiting,” highlighting the strong anticipation for this epic adaptation.

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Creator’s Vision

Speaking about the project, Anu Sikka, the creator, said:

The creators emphasized that the show aims to make this layered and complex epic accessible to both Indian and global audiences in a visually stunning, rich new format.

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Why Kurukshetra Matters

• Global Appeal: Mahabharata’s universal themes of duty, morality, and destiny resonate beyond India.
• Fresh Format: An animated retelling makes the story engaging for younger audiences while retaining depth for adults.
• Creative Team: With Gulzar’s lyrical artistry and Netflix’s production scale, the series promises both grandeur and authenticity.

Lord Krishna remains one of the most cherished figures in Hindu mythology — a symbol of wisdom, love, mischief, and divinity. From epic texts like the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, Krishna has found his way into every art form: painting, dance, theater, and eventually cinema. With Indian cinema itself born in mythological roots, it was only natural that Lord Krishna became one of the earliest gods to be portrayed on screen.

But who exactly was the first actor to play Krishna on film? To answer this, we need to revisit the early days of Indian cinema, starting with Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian films.

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Mythology and the Birth of Indian Cinema

In 1913, Phalke released “Raja Harishchandra,” the first full-length Indian feature film. Its success encouraged more filmmakers to adapt mythological tales, as audiences were deeply connected with epics and Puranas.

Unlike modern cinema, where romance and action dominate, early Indian films were almost entirely based on gods, saints, and epics. This was because religious and mythological narratives were not only entertaining but also socially acceptable for audiences who were still adjusting to the new medium of film.

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The First Screen Krishna: Silent Era (1918–1920s)

The earliest depiction of Lord Krishna came in Phalke’s silent films. Two key movies stand out:

• Krishna Janma (1918) – Focused on the birth of Krishna.
• Kaliya Mardan (1919) – Showcased child Krishna’s legendary victory over the serpent Kaliya.

In a fascinating twist, Phalke cast his own daughter, Mandakini Phalke, as child Krishna in “Kaliya Mardan.” She is, therefore, recognized as the first actor to play Krishna on screen — though as a child.

When it comes to adult portrayals, credit goes to Dattatraya Damodar Dabke, who worked closely with Phalke and acted in his mythological productions. Dabke is remembered as the first adult male actor to embody Krishna on screen.

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Expanding Krishna’s Cinematic Journey

After the silent era, the 1920s and 1930s saw the rise of talkies (sound films), which further amplified Krishna’s presence on screen. Films such as:

• Nand Kumar (1921)
• Gopal Krishna (1929)
• Krishna Bhakti (1935)

helped solidify Krishna’s role as not just a religious character but also a cinematic hero. These films typically depicted his childhood pranks, Rasleela in Vrindavan, and battles against demons.

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Krishna in the Early Talkie Era (1930s–1950s)

With the introduction of sound in Indian cinema, mythological films became even more popular. Krishna’s character could now deliver dialogues, recite verses, and perform bhajans — giving audiences a more immersive devotional experience.

Some notable portrayals during this era included:

• P. G. Sane in Gopal Krishna (1929).
• Ranjan in Krishna Bhakta Sudama (1947).
• Abhi Bhattacharya as Krishna in Mahabharat (1965) — a performance that became a benchmark for cinematic portrayals.

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Krishna on Television: A Game-Changer (1980s–1990s)

While films kept Krishna alive, it was television that turned him into a household deity in India.

• B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat (1988) featured Sarvadaman Banerjee as Krishna. His calm, philosophical portrayal, especially during the Bhagavad Gita sequence, remains iconic.
• Ramanand Sagar’s Shri Krishna (1993) cast Swapnil Joshi (as teenage Krishna) and Sarvadaman Banerjee (as adult Krishna). The show ran for years and was re-telecast during the COVID-19 lockdown, gaining a new wave of popularity.

Television made Krishna more accessible, bringing mythological stories to millions of living rooms across India.

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Modern Era and Global Adaptations

Today, Krishna continues to appear on OTT platforms, animated films, and global productions. Animated features like Krishna: Makhan Chor and Little Krishna introduced the deity to children in a fresh, playful format.

Modern actors occasionally revisit Krishna in devotional films or stage productions, but none forget the legacy of the first pioneers from Phalke’s era.

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Why Krishna Was an Early Cinematic Choice

Krishna’s early popularity in films was no coincidence. Several reasons explain this:

1. Cultural Familiarity – Audiences already loved Krishna’s stories.
2. Visual Appeal – Stories of miracles, demons, and divine acts translated well on screen.
3. Devotional Connect – Watching Krishna on screen felt like an act of worship for many viewers.
4. Political Symbolism – In colonial India, mythological films carried subtle messages of resistance and nationalism.

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Timeline of Krishna on Screen

• 1918 – Krishna Janma (first Krishna film, silent era).
• 1919 – Kaliya Mardan – Mandakini Phalke as child Krishna.
• 1929 – Gopal Krishna – adult Krishna in talkies.
• 1947 – Krishna Bhakta Sudama – Krishna’s bond with Sudama portrayed.
• 1965 – Mahabharat film starring Abhi Bhattacharya as Krishna.
• 1988 – B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat with Sarvadaman Banerjee.
• 1993–1996 – Ramanand Sagar’s Shri Krishna TV series.

On April 22, 2025, tragedy struck the picturesque town of Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir. A terrorist attack left 26 innocent civilians dead, including tourists and locals. The attack was widely believed to have been orchestrated by groups operating from across the border.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, speaking to Big B, recalled: We had reached a point where restraint was no longer an option. Pakistan had been doing this for far too long, and it was necessary to respond. That is why Operation Sindoor was planned.

The operation was not born in a vacuum — it was a direct and calculated response to repeated provocations.

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What Was Operation Sindoor?

Launched on May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor was a tri-services military strike involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Key Objectives:

• Neutralize nine high-value terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Avoid civilian casualties and limit escalation while delivering a clear message.
• Restore national morale by showing India’s resolve.

The operation was conducted with surgical precision — satellite intelligence, special forces coordination, and synchronized air-naval support ensured maximum impact with minimal collateral damage.

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Why the Name “Sindoor”?

The codename held deep symbolism. In Indian culture, sindoor (vermillion) represents marriage and commitment — applied in the parting of a married woman’s hair.

By naming the mission “Sindoor”, the forces paid tribute to the widows of the Pahalgam victims. It was a pledge: their sacrifices would not be forgotten, and justice would be served.

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Two Women at the Helm of the Briefing

What made Operation Sindoor stand out, beyond its military success, was who stood before the nation to explain it.

On May 7, after the strikes, Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh — alongside the Foreign Secretary — addressed a packed media briefing.

This was the first time two women officers from different branches of the Indian Armed Forces jointly led a public operational debrief.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

• From the Corps of Signals.
• First woman to lead an Indian Army contingent in the ASEAN Plus “Force 18” exercise in 2016.
• Served in UN Peacekeeping Missions and high-altitude operations.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh

• Helicopter pilot with over 2,500 flying hours.
• Expert in search-and-rescue missions, disaster relief, and operational logistics.
• An accomplished mountaineer and advocate for women in combat roles.

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On the KBC Hot Seat

During the Independence Day special, the officers didn’t just recount military facts — they shared personal stories, moments of doubt, and the weight of responsibility.

Amitabh Bachchan, visibly moved, asked: In those moments before execution, what goes through your mind

Wg Cdr Singh responded: It’s a strange calm. You are aware that a nation is counting on you, but training takes over. Fear is there — but so is pride.

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How the Operation Unfolded

While operational specifics remain classified, the broad timeline is known:

1. Intelligence Gathering – Satellite imagery and HUMINT (human intelligence) identified nine major terror hubs.
2. Joint Planning – Army, Navy, and Air Force worked out strike packages to minimize overlap and maximize surprise.
3. Execution –
4. Air Force jets and drones hit key training and logistics sites.
5. Naval assets monitored movement along the coastline.
6. Army’s special forces conducted targeted ground raids.
7. Extraction & Confirmation – Forces withdrew without casualty, with visual confirmation of mission success.

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Public & Political Reaction

The announcement of Operation Sindoor drew bipartisan political support. Citizens took to social media praising the precision and professionalism of the Armed Forces.

Internationally, India was lauded for a measured yet firm response, contrasting with the all-out wars of earlier decades.

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Women in Uniform: Shattering the Glass Ceiling

By having Col Qureshi and Wg Cdr Singh front the press briefing and then appear on a prime-time platform like KBC, the Armed Forces sent a powerful cultural message:

• Women are not just participating — they are leading in India’s defense strategy.
• Representation inspires the next generation of officers.

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Inside the KBC Episode

Apart from the quiz segments:

• The officers discussed teamwork between the three services.
• Shared light-hearted anecdotes from training and preparation.
• Took part in patriotic rapid-fire questions that had the audience cheering.

Amitabh Bachchan closed the episode with his signature gravitas: