Filmmaker Prakash Jha returns to familiar territory with Sankalp, building a layered political drama that examines how ideology, mentorship and institutional influence shape power over time. Spread across three decades, the series explores politics as a long strategic game where influence is cultivated patiently within systems rather than displayed through overt authority.
At the centre of this narrative stands Kanhaiyalal aka Ma’at Saab (Nana Patekar), a mentor figure who quietly shapes the careers of young aspirants preparing for India’s most competitive civil service examinations. His philosophy echoes the statecraft of Chanakya, the legendary thinker who guided Chandragupta Maurya and built the administrative backbone of the Mauryan empire. Ma’at Saab believes that real power lies in shaping institutions. Over the years he mentors promising students who go on to become IAS and IPS officers, gradually forming a network of administrators and police officials who carry forward his ideological vision within the system.
This quiet architecture of influence forms the backbone of the series. As these officers rise through the ranks, their loyalty to Ma’at Saab evolves into deep ideological alignment, turning them into a formidable force operating within the machinery of governance.
The political tension of the story emerges from a fractured friendship that eventually grows into a strategic rivalry. On the opposing side stands Chief Minister Prashant Singh (Sanjay Kapoor), supported by his longtime associate and party president Waqar Mapillah (Neeraj Kabi). Their political journey intersects with Ma’at Saab’s influence as the narrative tracks how decisions made years earlier continue to shape alliances, careers and political loyalties.
Among the ensemble, it is Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub who leaves the strongest impression as Aditya. Aditya carries emotional depth and moral conflict, gradually emerging as the narrative anchor of the first season. Zeeshan Ayyub delivers a performance that balances intensity and vulnerability, allowing the audience to engage with the ethical dilemmas embedded within the political system. In many ways, his arc positions him as the central hero of the season.
Nana Patekar anchors the series with characteristic restraint and authority. His Ma’at Saab operates through calm conviction and ideological clarity rather than dramatic theatrics. The character commands attention through measured dialogue and sharp observation, embodying a strategist who patiently shapes outcomes across decades.
The portrayal of Chief Minister Prashant Singh, however, feels comparatively underwhelming. The character appears designed as a leader who holds power yet remains politically dependent on others, particularly Waqar. Sanjay Kapoor’s performance leans toward stagy expressions and theatrical dialogue delivery, which weakens the character’s impact. A sharper and more menacing tone in speech might have added greater weight to the role.
Waqar’s character, on the other hand, carries the aura of a seasoned political operator. The narrative suggests that he possesses the experience and acumen to occupy the throne himself, yet chooses to function as a (sort of) kingmaker, placing Prashant Singh in the Chief Minister’s chair while exercising influence from behind the scenes.
Despite these uneven notes, Sankalp sustains its intrigue through layered storytelling and morally complex characters. The series avoids clear hero-villain binaries, allowing several characters to operate within shades of grey shaped by ambition, ideology and personal loyalty.
The season brings its immediate narrative conflicts to a close while clearly hinting at a larger political game ahead. New ambitions and shifting alliances suggest that the strategic world built around Ma’at Saab is far from settled.
Sankalp ultimately delivers a political drama driven by strategy, ideology and institutional power. Anchored by Nana Patekar’s commanding presence and strengthened by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub’s standout performance, the series offers an engaging watch for viewers drawn to political storytelling shaped by long-term strategy and complex character arcs.
Web Series: Sankalp
Directed BY: Prakash Jha
Featuring: Nana Patekar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Sanjay Kapoor, Neeraj Kabi as Waqar Mapillah, Kubbra Sait, Kranti Prakash Jha, Meghna Malik
Streaming from: March 11, 2026.
Platform: Amazon MX Player
Number of Episodes: 10 (~45mins each)
