Nagraj, the biggest superhero in the Indian comics world, has faced thousands of enemies in his life, from terrorists to aliens. But Kundli is a story where Nagraj is not facing any enemy of flesh and bones, but his own destiny. This comic is from the time when Raj Comics was doing its most different and new experiments. The very beginning of the story shocks the reader. The question here is not whether Nagraj will win or not, but the real question is whether he will be able to change the “death sum” written in his horoscope. This mental pressure and fear become the real strength of this comic, because for the first time it seems that Nagraj’s enemy is not a human being, but his destiny.
Chakravyuh of Death: When ‘Ghodasarp’ created an outcry in the metropolis!
The beginning of the story seems no less than a horror film. Suddenly a three-headed strange creature ‘Ghodasarp’ appears on the streets of the metropolis. This scene is a great example of the brilliant drawing of famous comics artist Anupam Sinha. This creature, which combines both the strength of a horse and the poison of a snake, becomes very dangerous, and that is why it proves to be a difficult challenge for Nagraj as well. But the real twist in the story is that this creature is not a natural one. It is a hybrid created by the strange combination of mechanics and science. This clearly means that this time Nagraj’s enemies have come very thoughtfully and with full preparation. Nagraj’s fight with Ghodasarp is not just a fight to show strength, but it is the first glimpse of the big mystery that is going on behind the scenes. The reader gradually begins to realize that this is just the beginning and that the real game is yet to come.
Sanovar: A mysterious reporter or the prophet of Nagraj’s death?
The character of Sanovar comes across as a mystery throughout the comic. She reveals herself to be an astrologer and a reporter, but her predictions turn out to be so accurate that even Nagraj is shocked. The same thing also raises questions in the minds of readers: is Sanovar really helping Nagraj, or is she part of some big conspiracy? Is it possible that she might be using some trick of Nagina, Nagraj’s old enemy? The character of Sanovar keeps readers confused the whole time. Especially the scene is very interesting when she gets an idea of the danger approaching by making a horoscope of the time of the opening of a restaurant. This moment adds to the suspense in the story. The deceitful form of Sanovar that comes to light becomes one of the biggest mysteries of this comic, and the reader keeps wondering whose side she is on till the last pages.
Nagina and Dr. Polka: When black magic and modern science joined hands!
Nagina, Nagraj’s oldest and most dangerous enemy, has not come alone this time. Dr. Polka is with him, who is a scientist with a very sharp mind but no heart at all. Dr. Polka’s most dangerous invention is his ‘planet-machine’ (Planetary Machine). This is the newest and most unique idea of this comic. Imagine a machine that creates the same position of planets inside the lab as is considered responsible for the death of a human being! This thought alone is enough to create fear. Nagina’s tantric knowledge and Polka’s modern scientific thinking together create a conspiracy that directly attacks Nagraj’s biggest weakness—his birth chart. The story here also shows that villains can be not only powerful but also very clever and mentally dangerous.
‘Eli-Belly’ Attack: The robot that cracked Nagraj’s bones!
The ‘Eli-Belly’ made by Dr. Polka is not an ordinary robot. It is a machine warrior that Nagina has filled with her extra tantric power. That means it is not just a machine, but a mixed and dangerous form of tantric power and technology. When Nagraj and Eli-Belly come face to face in the middle of the comic, that match becomes really hair-raising. There comes a moment when this robot holds Nagraj in its strong grip and neutralizes his powers for some time. This is the moment when readers really feel for the first time that Nagraj is in serious danger. Here the story shows Nagraj’s helplessness in a very good way. When even a powerful hero gets into trouble, the reader becomes more attached to him. That is why this scene makes the story both emotional and exciting.
That Blast of Chilli in the Kitchen: When Nagraj defeated the ‘invisible’ enemy with his mind!
The most spectacular and memorable action scene of this comic is when Nagraj encounters an invisible tantric creature, ‘Giragit’. The biggest strength of Giragit is that it dissolves into any environment in such a way that it becomes almost impossible to see it. That means the enemy is right in front, but is not visible. In such a situation, it becomes very difficult for any hero to fight. The special thing here is that Nagraj does not resort to his snake powers or strength, but uses his simple yet sharp mind. He goes into the kitchen and burns red chillies, which causes strong smoke. This smoke also irritates the invisible Giragit and he starts sneezing. That’s it—this is the moment when Nagraj comes to know where the enemy is hiding. This scene is a great example of the fact that Nagraj is not only powerful but also very intelligent. This is the reason why he always finds a way out even in difficult situations. Even today, while reading this scene, it feels as if a masterclass in writing action is going on, where it is shown how adventure and intelligence can work together.
Vishandhar’s ‘Hira Avatar’: Will Nagraj be able to kill his own friend?
Vishandhar, a loyal companion of Nagina, Nagraj’s enemy, appears in a completely new and dangerous form in this story. This time Dr. Polka has experimented on him in such a way that his body becomes hard like a diamond. Diamond is considered one of the hardest substances on earth; hence even Nagraj’s teeth and his poison do not have any significant effect on it. Not only this, this shiny and hard body of Vishandhar returns Nagraj’s attacks back to him. That is, the more powerfully Nagraj attacks, the more dangerous it becomes for him. This is what makes this fight even more difficult. The real tension of the story here is that Nagraj has to fight an enemy whom he can neither break, melt, nor burn easily. This situation makes the story very exciting, and the reader keeps thinking on every page about how Nagraj will come out of this trouble.
Anupam Sinha’s Magic Pencil: A different thrill hidden in every panel!
The contribution of the artwork of famous artist Anupam Sinha to the success of Kundli is huge. His portrayal not only shows the story but also makes it even more alive. The way he has framed every scene gives a movie-like feel while reading the comic. Especially the way he has depicted the rays of tantric energy and the powers emanating from machines shows a lot of forward thinking according to that period. The facial expressions of the characters also look extremely lively—like the burning hatred in Nagina’s eyes or the look of worry on Vedacharya’s face. Apart from this, his detailed depiction is also amazing. The tangled wires of machines, the paths of planets moving, and even the small drops of sweat on Nagraj’s body during the fight—all these things are shown so carefully that the story starts to seem even more real. This is the reason why this comic is remembered not only because of the story but also because of its wonderful artwork.
Science vs Superstition: The Reason Behind the Horoscope or Just a Coincidence?
Jolly Sinha, the author of this story, has wisely shown an interesting conflict between astrology and science. The entire story revolves around the horoscope and the death yoga written in it, which makes it seem that perhaps Nagraj’s fate is already decided. But as the story progresses, it gradually becomes clear that the effect of planets and stars becomes dangerous only when an external force tries to change or control them. That external force in this story is Dr. Polka’s machine, which creates planetary-like conditions in an artificial way. Here the author also gives a very important message: a person’s courage, wisdom, and determination can change any written destiny. A dialogue of Nagraj—“I was not born to be captured in the pages of my horoscope”—still inspires readers today and shows that real strength lies in the willpower of a person.
Final Verdict: Why is ‘Kundli’ a ‘must-read’ for every comics lover?
The biggest question that arises at the end of the review is whether this comic looks equally interesting today, when there are big superhero brands like Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the world. The answer is—absolutely yes.
This comic is not just a story of action and fights. It has mystery, it has interesting uses of Indian traditions like astrology and Tantra, and above all it has the story of a hero fighting his fate. This is what makes it different and special from an ordinary superhero story.
Conclusion:
Kundli is a turning point in Nagraj’s journey, where he is not just a warrior but becomes a hero who does not give up even in difficult circumstances. This comic teaches us that if an enemy is playing with your luck, you have to change the rules of the same game. If you have not read this comic yet, then understand that you are still away from a very special and memorable story in the history of Raj Comics.
