Porus (TV series)

{{Cleanup|reason=Unreliable sources and refbombing in the cast section|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Porus Titlecard.png

| image_alt =

| caption =

| genre = {{plainlist|

}}

| creator = Siddharth Kumar Tewary

| story = {{plainlist|

Siddharth Kumar Tewary

}}

| screenplay = Siddharth Kumar Tewary

| starring = {{ubl|Laksh Lalwani|Rohit Purohit|Rati Pandey|Aditya Redij|Sameksha|Sunny Ghanshani|Suhani Dhanki|Mohit Abrol|Praneet Bhat|Aman Dhaliwal|Savi Thakur}}

| theme_music_composer =

| opentheme =

| endtheme =

| composer = Sangeet Haldipur
Siddharth Haldipur
Suryaraj Kamal
Lenin Nandi
Raju Singh

| country = India

| language = Hindi

| num_seasons = 1

| num_episodes = 299

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer =

| producer = Siddharth Kumar Tewary
Rahul Kumar Tewary
Gayatri Gill Tewary

| news_editor =

| location = Thailand{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/chirag-jani-shares-his-experience-of-shooting-for-porus-in-thailand/articleshow/61533207.cms | title=Chirag Jani shares his experience of shooting for Porus in Thailand - Times of India | website=The Times of India | date=6 November 2017 }}

| cinematography = Kabir Lal

| editor = Janak Chauhan
Anil Vaishya

| camera = Multi-camera

| runtime =

| company = One Life Studios

| network = Sony Entertainment Television

| channel =

| released =

| first_aired = {{Start date|2017|11|27|df=y}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2018|11|13|df=y}}

| related = Chandragupta Maurya

| budget = {{INRConvert|500|C}}

}}

Porus is a historical drama television series based on the Battle of the Hydaspes, visualizing the lives of Porus, ruler of the Paurava Kingdom in India, and Alexander the Great, the king of Macedonia. It aired from 27 November 2017 till 13 November 2018 on Sony Entertainment Television. Another historical drama, Chandragupta Maurya, replaced it.

The show was created by Siddharth Kumar Tewary of Swastik Productions.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Siddharth-Kumar-Tewarys-next-on-Porus-for-Sony-Entertainment-Television/articleshow/54607760.cms|title=Siddharth Kumar Tewary's next on Porus for Sony Entertainment Television|publisher=Times of India|access-date=24 August 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/siddharth-kumar-tewary-porus-is-the-story-of-indias-first-defender/articleshow/59681601.cms|title=Siddharth Kumar Tewary: 'Porus' is the story of India's first defender|publisher=Times of India|access-date=21 July 2017}} It is the most expensive show on Indian television, having a budget of about INR 500 crores (roughly US$63 million).{{Cite web|date=2017-11-28|title=Porus is about India's golden age, when we were a First World nation: Siddharth Kumar Tewary|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/porus-is-about-indias-golden-age-when-we-were-a-first-world-nation-siddharth-kumar-tewary-4231335.html|access-date=2021-05-12|website=Firstpost}}

Plot

=Story of Porus (Puru)=

In 350 BCE, A Persian trader, Darius enters India intending to conquer it due to its wealth and prosperity. Two rival Indian kingdoms, the Pauravas (of the Puru tribe) and Takshashila (of the Bharat tribe) decide to end their enmity with a political marriage of the king of the Paurava Kingdom, Bamni and Anusuya, the younger sister of Ambhiraj, the king of Takshashila. Unlike her brother Ambhiraj, who cares only for his kingdom, Anusuya dreams of a united India. Bamni reveals that he married Anusuya to avenge his elder brother and Prime Minister, Shivdutt's insult by Ambhiraj which leaves her heartbroken. However Darius manipulates her by telling her to avenge her insult by attacking the Paurav Kingdom with Ambhiraj's help. Anusuya tells his intention to Bamni who doesn't believe her. Later, Bamni realizes his mistake and starts afresh with Anusuya. They oust Darius from the kingdom. Anusuya becomes pregnant and the astrologer says that their son will be the future of this country and bring honor to the ancestors.

Later Darius conspires with Ambhiraj and Shiv Dutt, breaks the peace between the two kingdoms, and forces Anusuya to flee. During her escape, she gives birth to a son, Porus (native name Purushottam, nicknamed Puru). Shiv Dutt tries to kill Anusuya and Porus by throwing them in River Jhelum. However, the Commander-in-Chief of the Paurava Kingdom, Ripudaman saves Porus and raises him in the Dasyu Kingdom, made up of pirates. Meanwhile, Darius (who later becomes the emperor of Persia) manipulates Bamni into becoming his trade partner to gradually steal India's wealth, leaving a heavy Persian influence on the Paurava Kingdom. On Shiv Dutt's suggestion, Bamni marries Kadika, the sister of Shiv Dutt's right-hand man and Paurava general. Samar Singh. and has a son, Kanishk.

=Story of Sikander (Alexander)=

In 350 BCE, Queen Olympias of Macedonia insults King Philip, resulting in the latter raping her. To avenge this insult, Olympias proclaims their son, Alexander, as the son of Zeus (King of the Greek Gods) who will rule India.

=Porus(bakht-e-paras)' and Sikandar's meeting and aftermath=

During Porus's trip to Persia, he meets Alexander and challenges him to come to India and go back to Paurav Kingdom. Alexander arrives in India, vassalising Ambhiraj and thus capturing Takshashila. Porus, who was in Takshashila at that time after escaping from the Paurav Kingdom with Bamni who was injured by Shivdutt, escaped from there safely along with Chanakya and made an act of Porus being dead. Chanakya invites Alexander to Porus's coronation ceremony and visits the Paurav Kingdom Alexander is shocked to see Porus alive and pledges to take revenge for this insult. Kanishk escapes imprisonment and he and Sumer ally with Alexander.

Alexander declares war with the Pauravas which lasted for months. On Porus and Laachi's marriage, Kanishk's men interrupt the ceremony, and Anusuya kills Sumer as she learns of his betrayal. Laachi asks for justice from Porus. Kanishk later tells the truth to Porus and Bamni which proves Anusuya innocent but is killed by Alexander. Dasyus allies with Alexander to attack Pauravas but later realizes their mistake and goes back to Paurvas but Laachi's mother, Mahanandini is killed off. Chanakya kidnaps Olympia and brings her to Paurav Kingdom. She performs black magic on Porus and Anusuya but fails in her attempts due to which she is on her deathbed but is saved by Chanakya. Alexander learns of Olympia's abduction and attacks Pauravas on both sides with the help of Ambhiraj. Ambhiraj kills off Anusuya and Porus takes revenge by killing Ambhiraj after which his son Ambhikumar and his mother become his enemies.

Both sides suffer heavy losses during the war, with Porus losing Bamni and Hasti. Eventually, Alexander is victorious in the Battle of the Hydaspes in 326 BCE and captures Porus, but impressed by Porus's bravery, he returns his kingdom to him, ends his campaign, and starts his journey back to Macedonia. Porus and Laachi has a son, Malayketu. On his way back to Macedonia, Alexander dies under mysterious circumstances in Babylon in 323 BCE leaving behind Roxanne who was pregnant. The same year, Porus and Laachi are assassinated in a group attack by Ambhiraj's vengeful son Ambhikumar and Alexander's former general Seleucus, though Malayketu survives. In his final moments, Porus entrusts the future of India to Chanakya.

Cast

=Main=

Laksh Lalwani as Porus{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/porus-actor-laksh-lalwani-4957051/|title=I am as patriotic and opinionated as Porus: Laksh|date=27 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/porus-will-break-the-norms-actor-laksh-lalwani/articleshow/61691163.cms|title='Porus' will break the norms: Actor Laksh Lalwani - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/porus-nothing-less-than-a-film-might-just-be-ahead-of-baahubali-2-laksh-lalwani/story-ciIEgfrwtx82gUdtKr5sOL.html|title=Porus nothing less than a film, might just be ahead of Baahubali 2: Laksh Lalwani|date=15 September 2017|access-date=6 December 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/laksh-porus-has-been-the-toughest-show-of-my-career/articleshow/65668149.cms|title=Laksh Lalwani: 'Porus' has been the toughest show of my career - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=4 September 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}
Rohit Purohit as Alexander{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/porus-actor-rohit-purohit-5010225/|title=Porus actor Rohit Purohit: I am also a dreamer like Alexander the Great|date=3 January 2018|access-date=20 November 2021}}
Vidhvaan Sharma as Alexander in infancy.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/shaheer-sheikh-erica-fernandes-reel-son-set-to-spread-smiles-in-porus/articleshow/61931135.cms|title=Shaheer Sheikh-Erica Fernandes' reel son set to spread smiles in Porus - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=5 December 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}
Rati Pandey as Anusuya:{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/rati-pandey-my-body-language-changed-with-porus-role/articleshow/61332615.cms|title=Rati Pandey: My body language changed with 'Porus' role - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/miley-jab-hum-tum-actress-rati-pandey-talks-about-playing-queen-anusuya-in-magnum-opus-porus-lifetv/1/1078238.html|title=Miley Jab Hum Tum actress Rati Pandey talks about playing Queen Anusuya in magnum opus Porus|date=30 October 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}
Aditya Redij as Bamni:{{cite news|url=https://www.bombaytimes.com/tv/india/aditya-redij-steps-into-rohit-roys-shoes-to-play-porus-father/amp_articleshow/58823968.cms|title=Aditya Redij steps into Rohit Roy's shoes to play Porus' father|access-date=25 May 2017|publisher=Bombay Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/aditya-redij-extremely-delighted-playing-king-Bamni-porus/|title=Aditya Redij extremely delighted on playing King Bamni in Porus - Eastern Eye|first=Mohnish|last=Singh|date=30 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206152716/https://www.easterneye.eu/aditya-redij-extremely-delighted-playing-king-Bamni-porus/|archive-date=6 December 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/learning-scuba-diving-a-perk-of-porus-aditya-redij/articleshow/61901264.cms|title=Learning scuba diving a perk of 'Porus': Aditya Redij - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=6 December 2017}}
Sameksha as Olympias:{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/through-porus-the-audience-will-get-to-know-about-world-history-sameksha/articleshow/61826476.cms|title=Through Porus the audience will get to know about world history: Sameksha - Times of India|access-date=6 December 2017|newspaper=The Times of India|date=28 November 2017 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/sameksha-singhs-physical-transformation-for-porus-is-amazing/18777176|title=Sameksha Singh's physical transformation for Porus is amazing|date=27 November 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/sameksha-queen-olympia-beautiful-character-play/|title=Sameksha: Queen Olympia is a beautiful character to play - Eastern Eye|first=Mohnish|last=Singh|date=27 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206142157/https://www.easterneye.eu/sameksha-queen-olympia-beautiful-character-play/|url-status=dead}}
Sunny Ghanshani as Philip:{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/how-sunny-ghanshani-bagged-the-role-of-philip-in-porus/articleshow/61918800.cms|title=How Sunny Ghanshani bagged the role of Philip in Porus - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=4 December 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}
Suhani Dhanki as Laachi:{{cite news|url=http://www.abplive.in/television/meet-the-final-female-lead-of-sony-tvs-porus-531561/amp|title=Meet Suhani Dhanki the 'final' FEMALE LEAD of Sony TV's 'Porus'|access-date=25 May 2017|publisher=ABP News|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908153524/http://www.abplive.in/television/meet-the-final-female-lead-of-sony-tvs-porus-531561/amp|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/suhani-dhanki-interview-acting-choices-quite-diverse/|title=Suhani Dhanki Interview: My acting choices have been quite diverse - Eastern Eye|first=Mohnish|last=Singh|date=29 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206154303/https://www.easterneye.eu/suhani-dhanki-interview-acting-choices-quite-diverse/|url-status=dead}}

=Recurring=

Mohit Abrol as Hasti:{{cite web|url=https://urbanasian.com/entertainment/2017/11/mohit-abrol-hasti-multi-faceted-character/|title=Mohit Abrol: Hasti is a multi-faceted character - Urban Asian|date=6 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017}} Ripudaman and Pritha's only son,
Praneet Bhat as Darius:{{cite web|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/television/history-best-told-series-praneet-bhat-1502519343.html|title=History is best told through series: Praneet Bhat - The Statesman|website=The Statesman|date=29 October 2017|access-date=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/witness-history-like-never-before-with-sony-tv-new-show-porus-watch-promo-4892833/|title=Witness history like never before with Sony TV's new show Porus. Watch promo|date=16 October 2017|access-date=6 December 2017}}
Aman Dhaliwal as Shiv Dutt:{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/lifestyle/mythological-show-for-aman-816116|title=Mythological show for Aman|date=11 August 2019|access-date=22 November 2021}}
Savi Thakur as Kanishk:{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.biz/savi-thakur-i-like-my-uniqueness/|title=Savi Thakur: I like my uniqueness|date=December 2, 2020|access-date=November 22, 2021|website=www.easterneye.biz}}
Riya Deepsi as Barsine:{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/RiyaDeepsi/status/944249290523906048 |title=Riya Deepsi Twitter}}
Gurpreet Singh as Ambhiraj:{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/gurpreet-singh-special-birthday-year/|title=Gurpreet Singh had a special birthday this year!|website=Eastern Eye|first=Mohnish|last=Singh|date=30 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206154036/https://www.easterneye.eu/gurpreet-singh-special-birthday-year/|url-status=dead}}
Zohaib Siddiqui as Ambhikumar:{{cite web|url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/tv-actor/zohaib-siddiqui/list-of-serial-and-shows|title=Zohaib Siddqui All Serials & Shows {{!}} Cast & Crew|access-date=6 December 2017}}
Hrishikesh Pandey as Ripudaman:{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/hrishikesh-pandey-getting-a-good-role-is-difficult-at-my-age/articleshow/61133385.cms|title=Hrishikesh Pandey: Getting a good role is difficult at my age - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=19 October 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/hrishikesh-pandey-injured-sets-porus/|title=Hrishikesh Pandey injured on the sets of Porus - Eastern Eye|first=Mohnish|last=Singh|date=21 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206161547/https://www.easterneye.eu/hrishikesh-pandey-injured-sets-porus/|url-status=dead}}
Shraddha Musale as Mahanandini:{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.eu/shraddha-musale-im-top-frame-mind-right-now/|title=Shraddha Musale: I'm in the top frame of mind right now!|website=Eastern Eye|first=Mohnish|last=Singh|date=9 November 2017|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206151313/https://www.easterneye.eu/shraddha-musale-im-top-frame-mind-right-now/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.afternoondc.in/television/my-dream-is-to-play-the-desi-wonder-woman-shraddha-musale/article_198752|title=My dream is to play the desi 'Wonder Woman': Shraddha Musale|website=www.afternoondc.in|access-date=6 December 2017}}
Rishi Verma as Sumer:{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} Laachi's elder brother
Chirag Jani (actor) as Arunayak:{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/chirag-jani-shares-his-experience-of-shooting-for-porus-in-thailand/articleshow/61533207.cms|title=Chirag Jani shares his experience of shooting for Porus in Thailand - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=6 November 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}
Chetan Pandit/Tarun Khanna as Chanakya:
Saurabh Raj Jain as Dhana Nanda: Emperor of Magadha
Aparna Dixit as Roxane (native name Rukhsana): Alexander's first wife
Akash Singh Rajput / Akhil Kataria: Alexander's childhood friend and closest confidante.
Vikas Verma as Seleucus Nicator: One of Alexander's generals, who was appointed Governor of Persia by him.
Akshara Singh/Sangeeta Khanayat as Kadika: Queen of the Paurava Kingdom.
Ashlesha Sawant as Pritha: Porus' adoptive mother, Ripudaman's wife and Hasti's mother.
Vasundhara Kaul as Alka: Wife of Ambhiraj, mother of Ambhikumar. Queen of Takshashila.
Nitin Joshi / Amir Malik as Cleitus: A general of Philip.
Chandan Dilawar as Mazaeus (called Muashiz): Darius' bodyguard and aide.
Vishal Patni as Farus: Mazaeus' son
Amaad Mintoo as Arrihdaeus: Son of Philip and Philinna.
Sarehfar as Philinna: One of Philip's many wives, mother of Arrihdaeus.
Pranav Sahay as Samar Singh: Kadika's brother.
Raviz Thakur as Pausanias: A trusted bodyguard of Philip
Nimai Bali as Amatya Rakshasa: The Prime Minister of Magadh.
Aruna Irani as the Oracle of Delphi:{{cite web | url=https://m.mid-day.com/articles/aruna-irani-loved-porus-even-before-she-took-up-the-role/19150188 | title=Aruna Irani loved Porus even before she took up the role! | date=5 March 2018 }}
Riyanka Chanda as Stateira: Darius' wife.
Shalini Sharma as Drypetis: Darius' younger daughter.
Pooja Sharma as River Jhelum (called Mother Jhelum): The narrator of the story.
Nalini Negi as Vishuddhi: A Visha Kanya (poison girl)
Jaival Pathak as Malay: A boy whose village was massacred by Vishuddhi.
Vivek Vallah as The Rajguru: The royal priest of the Paurava Kingdom.
Ajay Jayram as Chintan Kumar:
Sujeet Kumar as Bhairav: The main shishya (disciple) of Chanakya.
Karishma Rawat as Cleopatra: Daughter of Philip's adviser Attalus.
Suzanne Bernert as Ada: She was the satrap (governor) of Caria who was expelled by her own brother.
Ruby Kakar as an Oracle: A Greek priestess and fortune teller.
Chidaksha Chand as Cleopatra: Daughter of Philip and Olympias, younger sister of Alexander the Great.
Rizwan Kalshyan as Alexander of Epirus: Younger brother of Olympias.
Browny Parashar as Oxyartes: Father of Roxane, Commander-in-Chief of Bactra.
Aaron W. Reed as a Persian warrior:
Tony Huge as a Persian warrior:

Reception

The show was hailed as 'visually captivating' by India Today.{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/porus-review-laksh-lalwani-thoroughly-entertaining-if-you-love-your-history-with-masala-lifetv/1/1098746.html|title=Porus review: Thoroughly entertaining, if you love your history with masala|date=28 November 2017|website=indiatoday.in}}

Pinkvilla called it the television version of the film Baahubali.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news-gossip/porus-review-it-wont-be-wrong-call-it-television-version-bahubali-every-aspect-392330|title=Porus Review: It won't be wrong to call it the Television version of Bahubali in every aspect|date=29 November 2017|website=pinkvilla.com|access-date=23 December 2017|archive-date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218193719/https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news-gossip/porus-review-it-wont-be-wrong-call-it-television-version-bahubali-every-aspect-392330|url-status=dead}}

Sequel

Porus, being a finite series went off-air on 13 November 2018. Even before the end of the series, production house Swastik Pictures decided to tell the story of Chandragupta Maurya through a new show on Sony TV which replaced Porus and aired on the same time slot. Many key characters of Porus like Chanakya, Dhananand, Seleucus Nicator, Amatya Rakshas reprised their roles in the new show with the same actors portraying them. The new show Chandragupt Maurya was in seamless continuity with the ending of Porus. It went on-air on 14 November 2018 and off-air on 30 August 2019 after completing its story. Sourabh Raj Jain, who portrayed the character of Dhana Nanda in Porus reprised the role, whereas Tarun Khanna reprised his role of Chanakya and Nimai Bali as Amatya Rakshas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iwmbuzz.com/television/news/swastik-productions-create-linear-story-chandragupta-maurya-closure-porus/2018/09/19|title=Swastik Productions to create a linear story of Chandragupta Maurya with the closure of Porus|date=19 September 2018}}

Awards

class="wikitable sortable"

!Year

!Award

!Category

!Recipient

!Result

rowspan="2" |2018

| rowspan="2" |Lions Gold Awards

|Favorite Actress of the Year (Critics){{Cite web|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/lions-gold-awards-2018-complete-winners-list-and-red-carpet-pictures/1209915|title=Lions Gold Awards 2018: Complete winners list and Red Carpet pictures {{!}} Free Press Journal|website=www.freepressjournal.in|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-01-25}}

|Rati Pandey

Favorite Actor of the Year

|Laksh Lalwani

2018

|Asian Academy Creative Awards

|Best Telenova/Soap{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/ap/news/994603/2018-asian-academy-creative-awards-winners-the-complete-list|title=2018 Asian Academy Creative Awards Winners: The Complete List|date=2018-12-07|website=E! Online|language=en|access-date=2019-01-10}}

|One Life Studios

|{{Won}}

2018

|Asian Academy Creative Awards

|Best VFX

|One Life Studios

|{{Nominated}}

2018

|Asian Academy Creative Awards

|Best Theme Song

|Porus

|{{Nominated}}

2018