Sankalp

However, the way these stories unfold alongside each other makes the show more complicated than complex. You are disoriented by the lack of direction. The more interesting figures like Ma’at Saab, Prashant and Waqar frequently drift away from the proceedings, while other subplots about counterfeit currency and the kidnapping of a young kid take precedence. There is no focal emotional point to the universe here, and Sankalp struggles to rise above this inherent flaw. Of course, a big-scale narrative like this would have many players; but after a point, it becomes too convoluted for its own sake, busy being indulgent while the viewer gets distant. There is also a good backstory twist around episode 4, which strangely doesn’t add too much to the existing conflict between the two rivals.

On the flipside, we are living in times when web series are often crisp and shorter. Those days of 10 episodes of more than 40-50 minutes runtime are long gone. In that regard, SANKALP belongs to the pre-2024 era and seems dated. It is too long – almost 7 hours and 50 minutes – with the last episode’s duration being 63 minutes. This would have still not been a problem had the show been engaging. However, there are places where the interest level drops. Some characters and tracks are forgotten for long periods. Moreover, the events that led to the change of equation between the principal characters should have been sensible.

The political drama directed by Prakash Jha, takes the idea of revenge as a dish best served cold to the next level. In Sankalp, a man who wants to punish those who wronged him goes about it in a far-fetched and convoluted way, fanning his grudge over 30 years.