Mumbai

Veteran actor Nana Patekar has stepped into the world of digital streaming for the first time with the socio-political thriller series Sankalp, directed and produced by filmmaker Prakash Jha.

The series premiered on March 11 and is streaming for free on Amazon MX Player.

Set against the backdrop of contemporary politics and personal ambition, the show explores themes of power, loyalty and mentorship. Patekar plays Ma’at Saab, a formidable educator and strategist who influences political developments from behind the scenes.

The recently released trailer offers a glimpse into the central conflict between a mentor and his student. Inspired by the historical narrative of Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya but set in modern-day India, the series blends political intrigue with emotional drama.

Speaking about the project, Jha said the story reflects the aspirations of millions of young Indians preparing to take on leadership roles.

“The special thing about Sankalp is that it reflects the aspirations of millions of people in our country, especially young people who prepare themselves to run the nation,” he said.

Jha explained that the narrative follows a man whose ambitions collapse after a conspiracy forces him out of the system. Returning to his village on the banks of the Ganga River, the character spends two decades rebuilding himself before eventually challenging the very system that once defeated him.

The filmmaker clarified that the protagonist is fictional and not based on any real individual, though the situations depicted in the series draw from real-world social and political dynamics.

For Patekar, working again with Jha felt natural. The actor said he trusts the director’s instinct for creating strong characters.

“If there’s nothing new, he won’t come to me. And if there’s nothing new, he himself won’t make it,” Patekar said.

Actor Sanjay Kapoor, who plays the Chief Minister in the series, hinted that his character is involved in the betrayal that drives the story forward.

Kapoor said collaborating with Jha had long been on his professional “bucket list” and added that reuniting with Patekar after nearly three decades made the experience special. The two actors last shared screen space in the film Shakti: The Power (2002).

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Produced by Jio Studios and PJP Films Productions, Sankalp also stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Neeraj Kabi, Kubbra Sait and Kranti Prakash Jha in key roles.