Each episode is 40–46 minutes long and begins with a title song that consisted of lyrical content and two verses from the Bhagavad Gita.[8] The title song was sung and the verses rendered by singer Mahendra Kapoor. The title song is followed by a narration by Indian voice-artist Harish Bhimani as a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting the spiritual significance of the content of the episodes.[9]
The show begins with Emperor Bharata giving more importance to 'Capacity' than to 'Birth'. He shows the birth of Bhishma and his oath, birth of Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidura and birth of Pandavas and Kauravas. The story then focuses on the childhood of Lord Krishna.
Elsewhere, Dronacharya teaches Pandavas and Kauravas and asks to defeat Drupada as Guru Dakshina. Pandavas do so and give half of his kingdom to Drona. For revenge, Drupada obtains Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi. Dhritarashtra makes Yudhishthira the crown prince of Hastinapur. Shakuni (the maternal uncle of the Kauravas) and Duryodhana hatch a plan to burn Pandavas and Kunti alive, but they survive and go into incognito. Duryodhana is made crown prince of Hastinapur.
Arjuna wins Draupadi in her swayamvara but later shows her marriage with all five Pandavas. Later, Yudhishthira is made the king of Indraprastha and Pandavas conduct Rajsuya Yagna where Draupadi insults Duryodhana. Latter shows Duryodhana's revenge by trying to disrobe her and sending Pandavas along with Draupadi for an exile of 12 years and 1 year of anonymity. Duryodhana argues that the Pandavas violated the condition of anonymity in their last year of exile, therefore they must spend another 12 years in exile followed by another year of exile in anonymity. This conflict begins to sow the seed for the Mahabharata War.
Arjuna and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu marries Uttara. Krishna tries to make peace between both parties. Indra in the disguise of a Brahmin took Karna's armor and earrings. Kunti's sorrow on the corpse of Karna reveals Karna's true identity of being the eldest Pandava.
Before Mahabharata War, Shri Krishna enlightens Arjuna about the "Bhagavad Gita" and shows his Virata Swaroopa to Arjuna. The latter shows the deaths of Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Abhimanyu, Shalya, Shakuni, Jayadrata, Ghatotkacha, 100 Kauravas, 5 sons of Draupadi and many other warriors in the war leading to the victory of Pandavas over Kauravas. Only 5 Pandavas, Satyaki, Yuyutsu, Krishna, Ashwatthama, Kritavarma and Kripacharya survive. Gandhari holds Krishna responsible for her sons' death and curses that his family will also get destroyed. The show ends with Yudhishthir's Rajyabhishek and Bhishma's death.
Cast
Main
Nitish Bharadwaj as Krishna, eighth avatar of Vishnu, Devaki-Vasudev's eighth son, foster son of Nand and Yashoda, Balrama and Subhadra's brother, Pandavas' cousin, Kamsa’s Nephew, Ugrasena's Grandson, Radha's consort, husband of Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Rohini, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra, Lakshmana and other 16,108 queens rescued from Bhaumasura, Rama in the song "sabso Uchi prem sagaai"
Roopa Ganguly as Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, also called Panchali and Yagyaseni, younger daughter of Drupada, Princess of Panchala, sister of Dhrishtadhyumna and Shikhandi, mother of Upapandavas
Puneet Issar as Duryodhana, eldest son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, elder brother of 99 Kauravas, husband of Bhanumati, Yudhishthira's younger cousin, Elder Cousin of other 4 Pandavas, Lakshmanaa's Father, Crown prince of Hastinapura, Karna's best friend
Pankaj Dheer as Karna, son of Kunti and Surya, Adhiratha-Radha's foster son, King of Anga, Pandava's Eldest Brother, Padmaavati and supriya's Husband, Vrishaketu and other 8 sons' father; elder uncle of all upapanadavas, Ghatotkacha, Sutasoma, Abhimanyu, Babruvahana, Iravan, Anjanaparvan, Meghavarna, Barbarika, Parikshita's grand uncle, Janamejaya's great grand uncle; i.e Duryodhan's best friend
Renuka Israni as Gandhari, wife of Dhritrashtra, Queen of Hastinapura, mother of Kauravas, princess of Gandhara, sister of Shakuni
Nazneen as Kunti, Pandu's first wife, mother of Karna, Yudhisthira, Bhim and Arjuna, daughter of Shurasena, Vasudeva's sister, Yadava princess, foster daughter of Kunti-Bhoja
Bashir Khan as Parashar, father of Vyasa, Commandant of Hastinapura
Vinod Raut as Purochana at Laksagriha in Varnavata
Episodes
Episode 1 – Introduction of the Kuru dynasty, Bharata and Shantanu, Shantanu and Ganga's marriage
Episode 2 – Ganga kills her seven cursed sons, Bhishma's birth, Ganga and Bhishma leave Shantanu
Episode 3 – Ganga returns Bhishma to Shantanu
Episode 4 – Shantanu and Satyavati's marriage, Bhishma's vow of celibacy & Bhishma's immortality boon, Vichitravirya's birth
Episode 5 – Amba, Ambika and Ambalika's Introduction, Bhishma abducts the three princesses, Bhishma releases Amba while Ambika and Ambalika marry Vichitravirya
Episode 13 – Yashoda witnesses the universe in Krishna's mouth and Krishna gets caught stealing butter
Episode 14 – Krishna's no-butter promise to Yashoda and the defeat of Kaliya
Episode 15 – Radha's relationship with Krishna, protest against Kamsa, Devakasur and Trulambasur's death by Krishna
Episode 16 – Kamsa invites Krishna and Balarama to Mathura
Episode 17 – Krishna kills Kamsa and his assistants; Krishna releases his birth parents and Ugrasena
Episode 18 – Karna's adoption, Pandu and Madri's death, Kunti and her sons return to Hastinapura.
Episode 19 – Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika quit the kingdom and stay with Vyasa
Episode 20 – Karna grows up; The enmity between the Pandavas and Kauravas begin, Duryodhana Poisons Bhima and Bhima gains the strength of 1000 Elephants
Episode 21 – Sudama reunites with Krishna, Dronacharya arrives at Hastinapur and becomes the royal teacher
Episode 52 – Arjuna gets the Pashupatastra from Shiva, Karna conquers the world
Episode 53 – Krishna saves Draupadi from Durvasa using the Akshaya-patra, Bheema meets his son Ghatotkacha and brother Hanuman, Arjuna visits his celestial father Indra and learns dance and music from Chitrasena
Episode 55 – Story of the poisoned lake and the Yaksha's Questions to Yudhishthira, Abhimanyu is Grown-up
Episode 56 – Pandavas' 1 year of incognito beings in Matsya Desh
Episode 57 – Parashurama curses Karna
Episode 58 – Keechaka harasses Draupadi and is killed by Bheema
Episode 59 – Kauravas Attack Matsya kingdom to expose the Pandavas
Episode 60 – Uttar and Arjuna fight in the war and clothes for Uttaraa's dolls
Episode 61 – Abhimanyu and Uttaraa's marriage and Pandavas decide to send a messenger to Hastinapur to prevent war.
Episode 62 – Dhritarashtra does not agree and sends Sanjaya
Episode 63 – Duryodhana and Arjuna meet Krishna at Dwaraka, Duryodhana gets the Narayani Army from Krishna, and Krishna agrees to become charioteer of Arjuna
Episode 64 – Krishna Goes to Hastinapur as a messenger of peace.
Episode 65 – Duryodhana tries to capture Krishna but he shows his Virata form, Karna gives away his holy armour and earrings to Indra
Episode 66 – Karna's true identity is disclosed
Episode 67 – Kunti reunites with Karna
Episode 68 – Sanjaya gets divine eyesight from Vyasa to witness the war
Episode 69 – Duryodhan Tricks Shalya to join the Kaurava army
Episode 71 – Rules of the war are laid out, The battle will take place in Kurukshetra
Episode 72 – War begins and Arjuna Drops His weapons out of grief, Krishna teaches him the Bhagavad Gita.
Episode 73 – Bhagavad Gita teaching continues
Episode 74 – Bhagavad Gita teaching continues and Krishna shows his Vishvarupa form, Arjuna is ready to fight again
Episode 75 – Yudhishthira gets his blessings from his elders, Yuyutsu changes sides and war begins, Abhimanyu faces Bhishma
Episode 76 – Uttar dies, Arjuna faces Bhishma and Day 2 begins
Episode 77 – 3rd day is over, 4th day begins, Bhima is surrounded, 10 Kauravas are killed, Krishna takes out his Sudarshan Chakra to kill Bhishma, but Arjuna stops him
Episode 78 – 9th Day is over and 16 Kauravs are dead, Bhishma teaches the Kauravas how to take Arjuna out of the war
Episode 79 – Arjuna shoots arrows at Bhishma, Bhishma's bed of arrows is created, Bhishma still survives
Episode 80 – Karna enters the battlefield, Drona tries to capture Yudhishthira but is unsuccessful, Shantanu appears in Bhishma's dream
Episode 83 – Arjuna Vows to Kill Jayadratha and the Story About Jayadratha's Curse
Episode 84 – Arjuna Breaks the Kamalavyuha formation to attack Jayadratha
Episode 85 – Krishna covers the Sun with his Sudarshana Chakra, Jayadratha's death
Episode 86 – Ghatotkacha enters battle; Karna kills Ghatotkacha by using his Shakti Astra
Episode 87 – Virata and Drupada are killed by Drona, and Drona is killed by Dhrishtadyuma
Episode 88 – Bheema kills Dushashana, Draupadi washes her hair with Dushasana's blood, Karna spares Arjuna's life again
Episode 89 – Karna killed by Arjuna.
Episode 90 – Shakuni and Shalya die, Duryodhana and the Pandavas learn about Karna's truth, Yudhishthira curses Kunti and all womankind to never keep their secrets, Gandhari curses Krishna and his dynasty to doom, Duryodhana gets protected by Gandhari's magic
Episode 91 – Balarama arrives, Bhima and Duryodhana's duel, Duryodhana is fatally wounded, Balarama scolds Bhima but Krishna calms him down
Episode 92 – Duryodhana Dies, War ends, Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritavarma are the lone survivors, Ashwathama kill the sons of the Pandavas (Upapandavas) and Drishtadyumna, Ashwatthama tries to kill Uttaraa's unborn son, Krishna curses Ashwatthama, Parikshit's birth
Episode 93 – Dhritarashtra and Vidura's discussion about Dharma, Pandavas return to Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra Tries to kill Bhima
Episode 94 – Dhritarashtra, Kunti and Gandhari quit the kingdom. Yudhisthira becomes King of Hastinapur, and Bhishma dies.
Production
Development
According to production team member Kishore Malhotra, the total cost of producing the series was ₹9 crore (equivalent to ₹103 crore or US$12 million in 2023).[10] According to Director Ravichopra each episode was made up of ₹6.5 lakh to ₹7 lakh. Casting for the series began in 1986 and shooting started off in mid-1988.[11] Show was shot mostly at Mumbai's Film City, and the grand battle of Kurukshetra was shot in Rajasthan, with thousands of extras to fill the screen.[6]
The series was initially submitted to the channel for 104 episodes which was later shortened to 94 episodes.[9]
Casting
15,000 people applied to play different roles in the Mahabharat TV series. The casting team led by Gufi Paintal shortlisted them and called around 1,500 for video screen tests[3] Almost all actors in the series were newcomers, barring Raj Babbar who played King Bharat, Debashree Roy who played Satyavati.[12]Nitish Bharadwaj was chosen by B.R. Chopra, Ravi Chopra, Pandit Narendra Sharma and Rahi Masoom Raza, to play the central role of Krishna, at the age of 23.[13][14] Initially, he was chosen for playing Vidur. But Virendra Razdan was cast for it as B.R.Chopra considered Bharadwaj young to play the role.[15] Then Bharadwaj was offered to play Nakul and Sahadev, but he rejected and wanted to play Abhimanyu. Days later, he was called and finalized to play Krishna.[15] Firoz Khan was chosen to portray the character of Arjuna (which he later adopted as his screen name, to not become confused with a more popular actor of the same name) despite being rejected in auditions.[16] Asian games gold medalist Praveen Kumar was selected to portray Bhima after Chopra was looking for someone "who could look the robust historical character".[17] Around six actresses were shortlisted for the role of Draupadi, including Juhi Chawla, who opted out of the show as she had bagged a film. Ramya Krishnan and Roopa Ganguly were the final names, and at last Roopa Ganguly was chosen, as her Hindi was good.[18]Govinda and Chunky Pandey were signed for the role of Abhimanyu, but they opted out when they bagged films. Later, Master Mayur played the role.[19]Mukesh Khanna who wished to play role of Arjun was initially offered the role of Duryodhan. But later he was signed for Dhronacharya.[20] When Vijayendra Ghadge dropped his role of Bhisma, Khanna got the role of Bhishma.[21]Puneet Issar was offered to play the role of Bheem but was cast as Duryodhan on his wish.[11] The casting director of the show, Gufi Paintal was offered role of Shakuni by the makers of Mahabharat.[22]
Music
Mahabharat's music was composed by Raj Kamal and lyrics were penned by Pandit Narendra Sharma. Some songs were taken from works of devotional writers like Surdas, Raskhan etc. Apart from main songs there are also several short couplets, which covered the summary of each episode. All of these verses were sung by Mahendra Kapoor.[23][24]
In India the series was originally broadcast on DD National. It was shown in the United Kingdom by the BBC,[25] where it achieved audience figures of 5 million.[26][27] It was also the first programme broadcast on BBC Two after its 1991 revamp, but it had also been shown late at night on BBC One the previous year.[citation needed]
Ganguly was applauded for her performance in the Vastraharan sequence in which Draupadi is disrobed.[30]Ravi Chopra later disclosed that she was originally weeping while enacting in the Vastraharan sequence and the crew members had to console her later to make her stop.[30][31]|The sequence is often claimed to be the most climactic one of the series.[32] For the sequence Chopra recreated the visual effect of the Vastraharan sequence of Babubhai Mistry's Mahabharat (1965) starring Padmini as Draupadi.[33] His visual effects won more favour than that of the 1965 film and has still been considered by a part of critics to be the most brilliant in line.[34][35] of the most successful television series in Indian television history.[36] In common with the "Ramayana" serial, the broadcasting of a Mahabharat episode was associated with the simultaneous emptying of streets in the cities and people leaving work early to watch it.[37] Along with general audience many big names from Hindi film industry like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Hema Malini and Dharmendra also praised the show.[38]
During its rerun in COVID-19 lockdown in India, it became the second most watched Indian TV show after Ramayan (1987).[39] In week 13, it garnered 145.8 million impressions with both morning and evening slots combined on DD Bharati.[40] After Ramayan ended, Mahabharat became the most watched TV show until its end.[41] The series ended with 22.9 million viewership.[41]
Home media
The series was uploaded onto the website "Rajshri.com" along with its dubbed Tamil version.[42] Home video of the Bengali-dubbed version of this series has been released by Heart Video.[43] In 2019, Pen India Ltd bought the rights of the show and uploaded all the episodes on its devotional YouTube channel Pen Bhakti including its spin-off series Mahabharat Katha.[44][45]
Legacy
Mahabharat along with Ramayan (1987), became one of the most successful television series based on an epic in Indian television history.
Many actors became popular through their appearances in this series.
Pankaj Dheer received immense popularity after playing Karna. His pictures are used in textbooks as reference to Karna and the actor also revealed that his statues are worshipped in temples in Karnal and Bastar.[49]
Firoz Khan changed his name to "Arjun" professionally after finding success with the role of Arjun.[50]
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