‘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
‘Sankalp’ Series Review: The Grassroots Allure of Prakash Jha’s Storytelling The 10-episode political drama stars Nana Patekar as a Patna-based kingmaker entangled in a complex web of power and loyalty. Set against the backdrop of a fictionalized India, the series explores themes of mentorship, ambition, and the murky dynamics of political influence. Directed by Prakash Jha, the show blends traditional storytelling with modern narrative techniques, offering a sprawling yet deeply rooted exploration of grassroots politics and systemic control. The story centers on Ma’at Saab, a revered figure who runs an educational institution called Gurukul, where he scours impoverished families for gifted children to mold into future leaders. Over three decades, he cultivates a network of loyal followers, including the ambitious IPS officer Aditya Verma, whose moral ambiguity and loyalty to his mentor become central to the plot. The series unfolds as a series of interconnected subplots, each revealing the intricate relationships and power struggles within this tightly knit group. Jha’s direction leans into the grandeur of his earlier works, such as Raajneeti, with a focus on political machinations and the personal costs of ambition. The narrative is populated with a cast of characters, each representing different facets of power and ideology. From the Delhi Chief Minister, who grapples with the chaos of governance, to the cunning party leader Waqar, the series balances political intrigue with human drama. The inclusion of a counterfeit-currency scam, a vlogger’s struggle against censorship, and a student-politics angle further diversifies the storyline, though some critics argue the plot becomes overwhelming in its complexity.#nana_patekar #prakash_jha #gurukul #delhi_chief_minister #waqar
