Kull Review: When Royal Blood Turns Cold and Murder Becomes Inheritance

Release Date: May 2, 2025
Streaming Platform: JioHotstar
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Suspense
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

JioHotstar’s latest crime thriller Kull dives deep into the blood-soaked corridors of royal power struggles, deception, and betrayal. With a tight eight-episode format, this Ekta Kapoor production delivers a twisted saga of legacy, loyalty, and violence, set against the backdrop of a fictional royal family in Bikaner. Helmed by director Sahir Raza, Kull stars Nimrat Kaur, Ridhi Dogra, Amol Parashar, and Gaurav Arora in a story where every heir has a hidden agenda.

A Kingdom Falls, A War Begins

Kull opens with the mysterious murder of Chandra Pratap Raisinggh, the feared king of Bikaner, whose violent temper worsened after his wife’s death. His death sets off a brutal chain of events as his children—three biological and one adopted—begin fighting over their claim to the throne. Brij (Gaurav Arora), the adopted son, has always been the king’s favorite, despite being unrelated by blood. Meanwhile, the biological children—Indrani (Nimrat Kaur), Kavya (Ridhi Dogra), and Abhimanyu (Amol Parashar)—each bring their own wounds, secrets, and ambitions to the table.

As the throne becomes a symbol of ultimate power, alliances shift rapidly. Kavya wants to turn the ancestral palace into a business venture, Indrani holds the family together while battling inner demons, and Abhimanyu—plagued by addiction and a troubled past—is eventually crowned the heir, setting the stage for even more violence and betrayal.

Performances

Nimrat Kaur delivers a powerful performance as Indrani, the eldest daughter who oscillates between being a nurturing guardian and a cold-blooded strategist. Her bond with Abhimanyu, tainted by guilt and trauma, forms the emotional backbone of the series. Ridhi Dogra’s portrayal of Kavya adds a modern, grounded layer to the show—her character is practical, business-minded, and refuses to let sentimentality cloud her decisions.

Gaurav Arora as Brij brings emotional nuance to the adopted son who remains loyal to the Raisinggh name, even as he’s constantly reminded of his outsider status. Amol Parashar’s turn as Abhimanyu, the emotionally broken yet legal heir, is deliberately erratic, but occasionally feels too theatrical for the script’s grounded tone.

What Works

Kull thrives on its gritty realism, complex sibling dynamics, and the atmospheric tension it maintains throughout. The short episode count and focused storytelling make it a great weekend watch. The production design captures the faded grandeur of royal life while also hinting at the decay beneath the surface.

Director Sahir Raza doesn’t shy away from depicting the darkest corners of human ambition, and the screenplay complements this with sharp dialogues and emotionally charged confrontations. The show doesn’t waste time on fluff—each episode reveals another layer of deception or tragedy.

What Doesn’t

Despite its strengths, Kull occasionally slips into melodrama. Abhimanyu’s addiction arc, for instance, becomes repetitive and exaggerated, slowing the plot’s pace at times. Indrani’s hallucinations and her sudden rise to political power as Chief Minister in the later episodes feel far-fetched and rushed, pulling the viewer out of the otherwise tightly woven narrative.

Kull – Final Verdict

Kull is not just a murder mystery—it’s a dark tale of generational trauma, royal legacy, and a power grab that turns siblings into enemies. While it isn’t flawless, the series keeps viewers hooked with its performances and narrative twists. For those looking for a compact, emotionally heavy crime drama, Kull offers a bloody and compelling ride.

Verdict: Worth watching if you’re in the mood for royal conspiracies, morally grey characters, and a healthy dose of suspense