MAHABHARAT 2025 BY DIVYANSH MUDRA

It is 2025. A doomsday prophecy halts time as an ancient bloodline blessed by Krishna stands on the brink of extinction. When social media influencer Divyansh Ananthar is embroiled in a controversy that puts him on a dangerous path, he finds an unlikely saviour who opens his eyes to everything he believes to be a myth. As it turns out, the war in Kurukshetra was not the end but just the beginning. The Mahabharat is set to happen again, and a non-believer is the key to the war of the gods.

Thrust into a world where demigods walk among us and ancient warriors silently await the return of the Mahabharat, Divyansh must uncover the secrets of his ancestors that have made him the ultimate target. Joined by a powerful celestial being, an old friend and her brave dog, he embarks on a race against time to prevent the return of a war prophesied to mark the end of everything. Unknown to him and his companions, Ashwatthama has risen. And this time, he is determined to win at any cost.

In an age where even the gods have abandoned humankind, can Divyansh and his friends defy the limits of destiny and time to stop the greatest war from unfolding?

This is it, folks! The biggest high fantasy story is here!

To be a great writer, you need to be a brilliant storyteller. And Divyansh Mudra brings his passion for stories and Hindu mythology to this novel. I’ve been a fan of Divyansh and his engaging Instagram reels on mythology for quite some time, so I was excited to delve into a modern take on a high-fantasy rendition of the Mahabharata.

This story follows Divyansh, Agastya, Maya, and her dog, Baafla, as they embark on an epic quest to prevent a deadly prophecy from consuming everything and sparking a war in 2025. While Divyansh, the central protagonist and audience surrogate, embarks on a classic hero’s journey, Agastya plays the role of the mentor as he bridges the gap between Divyansh’s Gen Z influencer life and the cosmic world of warriors, devas, and asuras. Maya is Divyansh's childhood friend who becomes the voice of reason as the trio finds themselves in dangerous situations. She also acts as an anchor to normalcy as Divyansh is thrust deeper into the world of gods. These characters might initially appear archetypal, but they are crafted with a charming depth, revealing that there is more to them than meets the eye.

This novel is not just an entertaining story with high stakes and adventure, but it has also been crafted with immense respect and care towards the original epic. Mundra reimagines some of the most prominent characters from the epic in the 21st century while keeping the essence of their personalities intact. The story is tightly written, as all events flow naturally without any major plot holes, and all major story beats come together in the climax. The final chapters of the novel stand out to me, as the heroes confront their greatest threat and encounter some surprising revelations that will undoubtedly alter your perspective on the story. The fight scenes remain gripping till the end, as Mundra skillfully raises the stakes with each encounter as the novel progresses.

While the story is pretty compelling, what stands out to me is that it can be appealing to all. If you are familiar with the original epic, then reading this will be a rewarding experience, but even if you are new to the story (or even have a vague idea), then this is a perfect jumping-on point, as it will encourage you to look up and understand the Mahabharat war in depth once you finish reading. This is also an amazing read for Bollywood fans who enjoy watching high-stakes action flicks in theaters. Finally, at the end of every chapter, you will find a QR code that will lead you to a Google Drive link with some photos that will help you visualise the story from the author's perspective. These pictures range from character designs to props and multiple scenic locations where the action unfolds. I truly hope this story gets a sequel and is adapted into a movie in the coming years, as it has all the right ingredients to be a box office hit.

Ambitious and entertaining, I'll give this book 4/5 rating.