Overview
Porus is an Indian historical drama television series that aired on Sony Entertainment Television. The show is set in the 4th century BCE and dramatises the life of Porus, the Paurava king who fought Alexander the Great at the Battle of the Hydaspes on the banks of the Jhelum river in 326 BCE. The series premiered on 27 November 2017 and concluded on 13 November 2018.
Produced by Swastik Productions under Siddharth Kumar Tewary, Porus was promoted as one of the most expensive Indian television productions of its time, with extensive sets, large-scale battle sequences, and a multinational cast.
Key facts
| Title | Porus |
|---|---|
| Genre | Historical drama |
| Original network | Sony Entertainment Television |
| Original release | 27 November 2017 – 13 November 2018 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Country of origin | India |
| Producer | Siddharth Kumar Tewary |
| Production company | Swastik Productions |
| Setting | Ancient India and Macedon, 4th century BCE |
Background
The series is part of a wave of period dramas produced by Swastik Productions, which had earlier made Mahabharat (2013) and Suryaputra Karn (2015) for Indian television. Porus was developed as a fictionalised retelling drawing upon historical accounts of Alexander's Indian campaign, the rise of the Nanda dynasty, and the formative years of Chandragupta Maurya, while inserting dramatic backstories for the central characters.
The show was conceptualised on a large scale, with sets reportedly built in Thailand and shooting carried out across multiple international locations. The production used a combination of practical sets, computer-generated imagery, and choreographed battle sequences.
Plot
The narrative traces the early life of Puru, prince of the Paurava kingdom, who is separated from his family in childhood and grows up in exile. Parallel story arcs follow Alexander of Macedon, his military campaigns through Persia, and his eventual march into the Indian subcontinent. Subplots include the political intrigues of the Magadha court under the Nandas, the journey of the young Chandragupta, and the rise of various tribal and regional rulers of the north-west.
The series builds towards the Battle of the Hydaspes, depicting the confrontation between Porus and Alexander and the celebrated exchange in which the captured Porus, when asked how he wished to be treated, replied "as a king treats another king."
Cast
- Laksh Lalwani as Porus / Puru
- Rohit Purohit as Alexander the Great
- Aditya Redij as Bamni, father of Porus
- Suhani Dhanki as Anusuya
- Rati Pandey as Olympias
- Sameksha Singh as Kandhari
- Praneet Bhatt as Darius III
- Tarun Khanna as Bheem of the Paurava clan
- Mohit Abrol as Hephaestion
Production
Swastik Productions reported that the series was made on a substantial budget, with elaborate costuming, weapons, and chariots designed to evoke the Hellenistic and ancient Indian periods. Casting drew on actors from Indian television along with performers from Thailand, Iran, and other countries to portray Macedonian, Persian, and Central Asian characters.
Reception
The show received attention for its scale and visual ambition, with reviewers noting its production design and battle choreography. Critics highlighted the dramatic liberties taken with historical material, particularly in the youthful adventures attributed to Porus and Alexander. Television ratings were modest relative to the contemporary leaders in Hindi general entertainment, and the series concluded after roughly a year on air.
Significance
Porus contributed to a renewed interest in pre-Mauryan and Mauryan period drama on Indian television, alongside other historical productions of the late 2010s. It is also noted for being one of the few Indian shows to dramatise Alexander's campaign and the Battle of the Hydaspes at length, presenting the encounter from an Indian perspective.