Kangana Ranaut is known to go to any length when it comes to getting into the skin of her onscreen characters. Most recently seen in Ekta Kapoor’s critically acclaimed film Judgementall Hai Kya (2019), the three-time National Film Award winning actress has several plum projects in her hand, one of them being an out-and-out action entertainer Dhaakad.
Kangana announced Dhaakad a couple of weeks ago. She will start working on the film soon. Meanwhile, the actress is presently neck-deep in preparations for her much-awaited movie Thalaivi, which is a biopic on former actress and powerful political leader Jayalalithaa. The multilingual film will start rolling towards the end of the year.
After wrapping up the Jayalalithaa biopic, Kangana will begin work on Dhaakad, which is scheduled to roll into cinemas on Diwali 2020. The movie is being touted as Bollywood’s first female-led actioner. It marks the directorial debut of well-known ad-filmmaker Razneesh Ghai.
Talking about the extensive training that Kangana Ranaut will undergo to play her part in Dhaakad, Ghai said, “Manikarnika was a period film that had Kangana training with swords. But since Dhaakad is a contemporary movie, the style of action is different. She will have to undergo a six-week programme, besides learning hand-to-hand combat and Krav Maga for two weeks each. She will dedicate a fortnight to learn how to use guns. A team of stunt directors from Thailand will train her."
Kangana reveals that Dhaakad is in the same space as Hollywood sci-fi action film series, Resident Evil. “Dhaakad is in the same space as Resident Evil. It has several chase sequences and sword fights. I will use all kinds of sophisticated weapons, including some of the latest machine guns. I believe one must pick up new skills for every movie. I don't like to rush into any project as it makes me anxious”, said Ranaut.
Critics praise Gulzar’s opening narration as the series’ emotional anchor.
Several reviewers find the animation ambitious but uneven.
Many reviews note secondary voice performances lack range compared with the narration.
Reviewers differ on pacing and storytelling focus: some call it tight, others say it feels stitched.
Viewers and critics recommend watching for the scale and music, not for flawless character work.
This Kurukshetra review is a round-up of what critics and early viewers are saying about Netflix’s new animated retelling, and one name keeps coming up: Gulzar. Across reviews, the opening narration is almost universally singled out as the strongest element, while opinions split sharply on animation quality, voice casting and whether the series’ narrow battlefield focus pays off.
Netflix’s animated Kurukshetra draws praise for its ambition but criticism for uneven voice performances Instagram/netflix_in
What do reviewers say about Kurukshetra and Gulzar’s role?
Multiple reviews call Gulzar’s baritone the series’ single greatest asset. Critics write that his lines give scenes emotional gravity. They said the narration "grounds" the show and often rescues moments that might otherwise feel flat. A few outlets even suggested his voice elevates sequences beyond the animation’s limits.
Do critics think Kurukshetra gets the animation right?
The answer is mixed. Several reviewers applaud the scale, chariot set pieces, wide battle frames and the sheer ambition. Others point out inconsistencies, like faces that do not always register emotion and occasional stiffness in character movement. Many reviews used the same phrasing: “impressive in scope, uneven in detail.”
How do reviewers view the voice cast beyond Gulzar?
This is where opinions cluster on the negative side. A number of critics say secondary voiceovers feel one-note and do not match the gravitas Gulzar brings. A handful of reviews praised specific performances, but the dominant note was: solid, not stellar.
Pacing and focus. Some reviewers appreciated the choice to limit the story to battlefield days and called it focused and brisk. Others felt certain backstories were teased, leaving them wanting more, and described the structure as stitched together. So, pick your critic: some loved the discipline, others wanted a fuller sweep.
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