Indian cinema has a rich tradition of bringing mythological epics to life, and the Kurukshetra movie stands tall as a grand tribute to one of India’s greatest tales — the Mahabharata. Released in 2019 in Kannada (and later dubbed into other languages), Kurukshetra is an ambitious film that recreates the epic battle, focusing primarily on the pivotal events, legendary warriors, and timeless wisdom that have inspired generations for over 5000 years.

With an ensemble star cast, massive sets, high-end VFX, and spectacular costumes, Kurukshetra is more than just a film — it is an attempt to present India’s spiritual and cultural heritage to new generations in a format that blends cinema with ancient storytelling.

The Concept: Revisiting the Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is not just an epic — it is one of the longest poems ever written, with over 100,000 shlokas (verses) that narrate the story of the Kuru dynasty, the battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas, and the philosophical discourse of the Bhagavad Gita.

Over the years, countless filmmakers and TV producers have adapted portions of the Mahabharata. However, Kurukshetra stands out because of its unique approach: it presents the story primarily from the perspective of Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava prince, who is often portrayed only as a villain in mainstream retellings.

Based on Ranna’s 10th-century epic poem Gadhayuddha, Kurukshetra gives a more human dimension to Duryodhana’s character — showing him not just as an arrogant prince but as a warrior, friend, and leader with shades of grey.

The Plot: The War, the Warriors, and the Wisdom

The movie focuses on the key events leading to the Kurukshetra war and the war itself. It showcases the complex relationships between the Pandavas and Kauravas, the deceitful game of dice, Draupadi’s humiliation in court, Krishna’s divine guidance, and the ultimate clash that determined the fate of Bharatvarsha.

While the entire Mahabharata is impossible to squeeze into a single film, Kurukshetra highlights:

  • Duryodhana’s bond with Karna.

  • Bhishma’s moral dilemma.

  • Krishna’s political wisdom and role as a strategist.

  • The mighty clash of titans like Bhima, Drona, Arjuna, and Karna.

  • The profound messages from the Bhagavad Gita, delivered by Krishna to Arjuna.

Through these episodes, the film brings alive the moral conflicts, duties (Dharma), friendships, betrayals, and consequences of greed and pride.

Star Cast: Legends Bring Legends to Life

The movie boasts a star-studded ensemble of some of the biggest names in Kannada cinema:

  • Darshan Thoogudeepa as Duryodhana: The superstar shoulders the film as the flawed but valiant prince who fights for his pride and throne.

  • Arjun Sarja as Karna: Known as the loyal friend of Duryodhana and one of the greatest archers of the Mahabharata.

  • Ambareesh as Bheeshma: The patriarch of the Kuru dynasty, torn between loyalty to the throne and his moral compass.

  • Sneha as Draupadi: The fiery queen whose insult sets the war in motion.

  • Ravichandran as Krishna: The divine statesman whose wisdom shapes the course of the war.

  • Sonu Sood as Arjuna: The Pandava hero who receives the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings.

  • Nikhil Kumar as Abhimanyu, and several other talented actors fill the roles of other mighty warriors.

The casting was carefully done to bring the legendary characters to life with gravitas and charisma.

Production Scale: A Big-Budget Epic

Directed by Naganna and produced by Munirathna under KCN Movies, Kurukshetra was made on a massive budget of around ₹50–60 crore — one of the highest for a Kannada film at the time.

Key highlights of the production:

  • Grand sets: Massive battlefields, royal courts, and palaces were constructed to recreate Hastinapur and Kurukshetra.

  • Visual effects: Advanced CGI and green-screen technology brought epic battles to life, with chariot races, divine weapons, and celestial scenes.

  • Costumes and Makeup: Lavish costumes and intricate jewelry reflected the grandeur of ancient India.

  • Music: V. Harikrishna composed the film’s soundtrack, combining devotional chants, war anthems, and dramatic background scores.

The scale and ambition matched other Indian historical spectacles like Baahubali, though with a mythological twist.

Release and Reception

Originally planned for a 2018 release, Kurukshetra hit screens on 9 August 2019 in Kannada and was later dubbed into Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. The film was well-received for its performances, lavish visuals, and refreshing focus on Duryodhana’s side of the story.

It became one of the highest-grossing Kannada films at the time, collecting impressive box office returns domestically and overseas. Families, mythology enthusiasts, and fans of Darshan flocked to theatres to witness the Mahabharata come alive on the big screen.

However, like many mythological adaptations, it did face criticism for certain creative liberties and pacing issues — a reminder that condensing the vast Mahabharata into a single film is an artistic challenge.

Why Kurukshetra Stands Out

What makes Kurukshetra unique among other Mahabharata adaptations?

1️⃣ Duryodhana’s Perspective: By presenting the epic through the lens of Duryodhana, the film invites audiences to rethink rigid definitions of hero and villain. It portrays him as a loyal friend and brave warrior wronged by fate and politics.

2️⃣ Kannada Cinema’s Biggest Mythological Project: The film’s budget, scale, and ensemble cast marked a milestone for Kannada cinema, placing it alongside pan-Indian epics.

3️⃣ Spectacular Visuals: Despite some limitations, the CGI battles, detailed costumes, and grand sets gave audiences a larger-than-life experience.

4️⃣ Cultural Pride: The film revived interest in Kannada literature’s historic Gadhayuddha and reaffirmed the Mahabharata’s timeless relevance.

Cultural Significance and Controversies

No Mahabharata retelling is free from debate. Some scholars and critics questioned whether the film’s sympathetic portrayal of Duryodhana might confuse audiences about the epic’s moral lessons. However, supporters argued that the Mahabharata itself is filled with nuanced characters — none entirely good or evil.

Additionally, some viewers noted historical and literary inaccuracies, but the filmmakers defended these choices as part of creative storytelling rather than strict historical documentation.

Despite debates, the movie succeeded in sparking fresh interest in Mahabharata discussions, especially among younger audiences unfamiliar with Ranna’s Gadhayuddha.

Impact on Indian Cinema

Following Kurukshetra, Kannada cinema’s appetite for mythological and historical films grew stronger. The film’s success proved that audiences still crave grand retellings of India’s epics — if produced with scale, compelling storytelling, and visual grandeur.

Its box office performance and popularity inspired other producers to green-light ambitious projects exploring other legends and unsung heroes.

Interesting Trivia

  • Ambareesh’s Last Film: Kurukshetra is noted as the legendary actor Ambareesh’s final film before his passing, making his role as Bhishma even more special for fans.

  • 3D Version: The producers originally planned a 3D version to enhance battle scenes, but it was eventually released in 2D due to budget constraints.

  • Longest-running Mythological in Kannada: At the time, Kurukshetra set records for being one of the longest-running mythological films in Kannada cinemas.

FAQs

✅ 1. Is Kurukshetra movie based on the entire Mahabharata?

No, it focuses mainly on the Kurukshetra war and key episodes surrounding Duryodhana, Karna, Krishna, and the Pandavas.

✅ 2. Who played Duryodhana in Kurukshetra?

Darshan Thoogudeepa, one of Kannada cinema’s biggest stars, portrayed Duryodhana.

✅ 3. Was the movie dubbed in other languages?

Yes, it was dubbed into Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi.

✅ 4. Is Kurukshetra available on OTT platforms?

Yes, it is available on various regional streaming services. Availability may change, so it’s best to check platforms like Amazon Prime Video or regional OTT apps.

✅ 5. Is Kurukshetra worth watching?

If you enjoy mythological epics, historical costumes, large-scale war scenes, and iconic characters, Kurukshetra is definitely worth watching for its visuals and perspective.

Conclusion

Kurukshetra is more than just a movie — it is a cinematic tribute to India’s eternal epic, an attempt to bring larger-than-life heroes and complex moral lessons to modern audiences. Whether you agree with its perspective or not, the film’s ambition and storytelling rekindle timeless questions about duty, loyalty, ego, and the fine line between good and evil.