At 75, Nana Patekar is a scheming yet righteous mentor in Prakash Jha's Sankalp

Amazon MX Player has unveiled the gripping trailer of its upcoming socio political thriller Sankalp, a series that also marks the long awaited streaming debut of veteran actor Nana Patekar. The show promises a tense exploration of power, loyalty and ambition, placing its narrative inside a world where ideology and influence collide in dramatic fashion.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Prakash Jha, the series reimagines the age old political strategy associated with Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya for a contemporary setting. Instead of royal courts and ancient empires, Sankalp unfolds within modern institutions where ideas, loyalty and power battles play out in ways that feel both familiar and unsettling.

A political chessboard built on values and power

At the centre of Sankalp stands Ma’at Saab, a powerful educator whose influence stretches far beyond the classroom. Played by Nana Patekar, the character appears calm and controlled on the surface, yet the trailer hints at a far deeper network of strategy, discipline and ideological conviction.

The story positions Ma’at Saab as a mentor who commands absolute loyalty. However, his authority soon faces a challenge when a former student begins to question the very principles he once believed in. What begins as mentorship slowly transforms into a psychological and political battle between teacher and protégé.

The trailer builds this conflict gradually, suggesting that the struggle is not just about power but also about the moral cost of ambition.

Nana Patekar steps into the OTT world

For Nana Patekar, Sankalp represents a major career milestone as he steps into long format streaming storytelling for the first time. Known for intense and layered performances across decades of cinema, the actor appears to bring that same gravitas to the role of Ma’at Saab.

Speaking about the experience, Patekar described the character as deeply layered and filled with inner conflict. According to him, playing Ma’at Saab allowed him to explore silence, restraint and emotional complexity in a new way.

The actor also expressed excitement about reuniting with Prakash Jha, whose storytelling style has often focused on social and political realities. Their collaboration brings together two strong creative voices who have previously delivered impactful narratives rooted in Indian society

A powerful ensemble supporting the drama

While Nana Patekar leads the narrative, Sankalp also features a formidable ensemble cast that adds weight to the political drama. Actors such as Sanjay Kapoor, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Neeraj Kabi, Kubrra Sait and Kranti Prakash Jha appear in key roles that shape the evolving conflict.

Each character seems to represent a different dimension of power and ideology. Some operate from within the political machinery while others challenge the system from the outside. This layered casting suggests that the story will explore multiple perspectives on authority, loyalty and personal ambition.

The dynamic between these characters appears to create a tense ecosystem where alliances can shift quickly and every decision carries consequences.

Prakash Jha’s signature socio political storytelling

Director Prakash Jha has long been known for stories that examine politics and society through a sharp cinematic lens. With Sankalp, he continues that tradition by creating a narrative that questions how power works within modern institutions.

According to Jha, storytelling should provoke thought and responsibility. Sankalp aims to do exactly that by presenting characters who operate in morally complex spaces rather than clear lines of right and wrong.

The series attempts to raise larger questions about belief systems, leadership and the price people are willing to pay to achieve influence.

Sankalp has been produced by Jio Studios along with Dishaa Jhaa under the PJP Films Productions banner. The show will premiere exclusively on Amazon MX Player and will be available to viewers for free starting March 11.

With a powerful cast, a politically charged narrative and Nana Patekar’s intense presence at the centre, the series positions itself as one of the more intriguing socio political dramas arriving on Indian streaming platforms this year.