‘Sankalp’ series review: Nana Patekar anchors Prakash Jha’s game of thrones Prakash Jha returns to his Raajneeti universe with Sankalp, a flawed yet engaging series that explores mentorship and manipulation through a lens of moral ambiguity. The show, anchored by Nana Patekar, delves into the complexities of power dynamics and loyalty, though its narrative structure and visual approach face criticism for being overly bloated and repetitive. The series follows IPS officer Aditya Verma, played by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, as he navigates a political rivalry with Delhi’s Chief Minister, Prashant Singh, and his strategist, Waqar. Tensions escalate as Verma questions his mentor’s manipulative methods, revealing a tense battle over control, revenge, and ideological clashes. Jha’s portrayal of power corridors and the relationship between kingmakers and rebellious disciples feels clichéd in the series format, despite its intellectual ambitions. Patekar’s character, Ma’at Saab, is a quiet strategist with layers of menace and authority, reminiscent of Jayaprakash Narayan’s role in mentoring political leaders. The series reimagines political succession in a democracy where bureaucrats and technocrats hold significant influence. However, Jha’s protagonist avoids grand ambitions, focusing instead on changing the Delhi State government—a low-stakes goal for a ten-episode series featuring powerhouse performances. The narrative struggles with repetitive scenes and unresolved character arcs, with twists that feel inconsistent. While the show avoids glossy escapism, its dialogue ranges from sharp to insipid, and its exploration of power, loyalty, and manipulation remains uneven. Female characters add layers of vulnerability and consequence but often function as enablers rather than autonomous forces.#nana_patekar #prakash_jha #waqar #mohammed_zeeshan_ayyub #prashant_singh
