Chanakya is a historical drama aired on Indian television in a 47-part epic written and directed by the renowned Dr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi. It is a fictionalized story set in the 4th century BC, revolving around the life of the celebrated economist, political theorist, and strategist, Chanakya. The series is based on the events of his life, starting with his boyhood and ending with the coronation of Chandragupta Maurya, which occurred between 340 BC and 320/321 BC.
The role of Chanakya was played by Dr. Chandra Prakash Dwivedi himself. The series divides itself into three major parts. Firstly, it showcases the early life of Chanakya and the unfortunate circumstances that made him choose to exile from the kingdom of Magadha. The injustice done to his father and his subsequent death by King Dhanananda, were the unforeseen circumstances that led to his demise. Secondly, it shows Alexander’s invasion of the North Western India and his subsequent death, which led to a rebellion against Alexander’s successors by the native Indian kingdoms under Chandragupta Maurya’s leadership.
The Greek invaders were subsequently defeated. Thirdly, how Chandragupta Maurya overthrows the Nanada rule and become the king of Magadha. This well-thought framework helped Dwivedi in portraying the politics of governing relations between the kings and the officials of that time, and the backstabbing that took place. Dwivedi manages to portray Indian republics as they were in the earliest of times, and the life of the normal Indian that was consequential.
Chanakya is known as a “milestone on Indian television” and has been aired all around the world for its grandeur and authenticity. It took more than nine years for Dwivedi to research for the show, and he believed that Chanakya was “the first man with a national consciousness,” which made the show very important to him. His hard work paid off, leaving us with a milestone of creation on the account of a celebrated mind.