When it comes to Indian television epics, few have matched the scale and ambition of Porus. Premiered in 2017 on Sony TV, Porus is a historical drama that dramatizes the life and times of the legendary Indian king Porus and his famed clash with Alexander the Great.
Cast & Characters
According to IMDb’s full credits page, Porus featured a large ensemble cast with many well-known names. Some of the main cast members:
- Laksh Lalwani plays Porus / Purushottam (Puru) — the central hero of the story.
- Rohit Purohit portrays Alexander the Great, Porus’s formidable rival.
- Aditya Redij is cast as Bamni, one of the key kings in the Paurava kingdom.
- Rati Pandey plays Anusuya, Porus’s mother.
- Suhani Dhanki in the role of Laachi, who becomes Porus’s warrior-princess love interest.
- Sameksha (as Queen Olympias), Sunny Ghanshani (Philip), Praneet Bhat (Darius III), Aman Dhaliwal (Shivdutt), Mohit Abrol (Hasti), among others.
On India Forums, character summaries are also provided, helping viewers better understand loyalties, motivations, and relationships in the show.
The show was created by Siddharth Kumar Tewary and scripted in part by Satyarth Nayak.
Timing & Broadcast
Porus first premiered on 27 November 2017 in India on Sony TV. It ran multiple seasons and over 300 episodes. The exact daily time slot varied during its run, typical for Indian TV epics with shifting schedules.
The show was dubbed into several regional languages. For instance, in Kerala, the Malayalam dubbed version aired on Surya TV from 21 January (year not specified) in the 9:30 PM slot (Monday to Saturday).
Because of its length and popularity, Porus often saw re-runs, special episodes, and extended story arcs. It became one of the flagship historical dramas on Indian television during its run.
Storyline & Synopsis
Porus is set in 350 BC, a time when ancient India—often called “Sone Ki Chidiya” (the Golden Bird)—was rich, powerful, and targeted by external invaders. The central theme: two men born on the same day in different lands — Porus (in Paurava kingdom) and Alexander (in Macedonia) — grow up with contrasting destinies. One as a defender of his homeland, the other as a global conqueror.
The narrative covers Porus’s birth to King Bamani and Queen Anusuya, Alexander’s birth to Philip and Olympias, and how these lineages ultimately clash.
The focus is on the Battle of the Hydaspes (on the banks of Jhelum) where Alexander invades India. Porus is defeated in battle, but his bravery and sense of honor compel Alexander to return his kingdom rather than annex it.
Meanwhile, the show weaves in subplots — power struggles within royal families, alliances and betrayals, love stories (Porus & Laachi), internal dissent, and the psychological and moral stakes of war.
At its heart, Porus celebrates valor, patriotism, strategic leadership, and the idea that respect can transcend conquest.
