Prakash Jha has long been one of the main architects of gritty and impactful power plays with a dash of politics. His latest venture, Sankalp (streaming on Amazon MX Player), attempts to modernise the ancient Chanakya-Chandragupta dynamic, trading traditional battlefields for the high-stakes corridors of the UPSC coaching industry and the Delhi bureaucracy.
While the series itself often struggles under the weight of its own ambition, it is undoubtedly elevated by one singular force: Nana Patekar.
We usually see Nana Patekar doing loud, explosive roles, but here, as Kanhaiyalal (Ma’at Saab), he is super calm. He plays a mentor who builds an “army” of IAS and IPS officers. He doesn’t need to shout to show his power. Just a look or a small smile is enough to tell you he’s the one pulling all the strings.
Viewers are saying that he brings a “quiet menace” to his character, and it looks way more effective than his usual style. Whether he’s cooking or gardening while talking about serious politics, he brings a weight to the screen that the rest of the show sometimes lacks. He is the one who keeps us hooked to the screens.
According to many critics, the biggest problem with Sankalp is that it’s just too long, with 10 episodes. There are a lot of subplots that feel bloated or repetitive. While actors like Sanjay Kapoor and Kubbra Sait are good, their characters sometimes get lost in the messy story.
Apart from Sankalp’s slow pace, the climax has also been described as lacklustre.
But every time Nana Patekar comes on screen with Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub or Neeraj Kabi, the show feels sharp again. Their face-offs are the real highlights.
Sankalp is now available to stream on Amazon MX Player. Stay tuned for more updates.