Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
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.
Production houses confirm three-way collaboration between Mehta, Pellissery, and Rahman
Film currently in casting stage with shooting planned later this year
Pellissery's track record suggests an unconventional take on the romance genre
Rahman returns to work with Mehta after their Gandhi series collaboration
Project marks Pellissery's first major crossover into Hindi film circles
Wait, read that again. Hansal Mehta's production is backing a romantic drama from Lijo Jose Pellissery. And AR Rahman? He's building the entire soundscape for it. The combination feels almost unreal, right? It's like three separate rivers of filmmaking talent suddenly crashing into one project.
Hansal Mehta teams up with Lijo Jose Pellissery and AR Rahman for a lyrical romantic drama. Getty Images/goodadsmatter.com
What's the actual plot of this pellissery film?
They're keeping story details locked down tight. The official line calls it a "lyrical exploration of love," which sounds nice but means very little coming from a director known for chaotic chases and funeral processions that spiral into madness. The script comes from Pellissery and writer Karan Vyas. Given Pellissery's history, expect something raw and unpredictable rather than rose-tinted. His approach to human relationships typically involves peeling back layers until things get messy.
Look at their backgrounds. Mehta built his name on biographical dramas and sharp social commentary. Pellissery operates in his own cinematic universe where conventional rules do not apply. Rahman's involvement guarantees the music will be another character entirely. Sahil Saigal from Mehta's production company called it "momentous" and for once that does not sound like empty producer talk. This feels like one of those projects that could actually shift how Indian films get made.
No confirmed release window yet; these things take time, especially with directors as particular as Pellissery. The production houses involved are Mehta's True Story Films and Amen Movie Monastery. This also marks the second time Rahman and Mehta have worked together after finishing their Gandhi series, which premiered at Toronto last year.
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