Mahabharat - 2013

Introduction

The popular TV series Mahabharat is based on the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, one of the world's longest and most revered epic poems. Swastik Productions Pvt Ltd produced the series starring Sourabh Raaj Jain as Lord Krishna, Pooja Sharma as Draupadi, and Shaheer Sheikh as Arjuna, among other notable actors. It has since become available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. The series was widely praised for its production value, performances, and faithfulness to the source material.

Table of Contents

• Details

• Story

• Schedule

• Cast

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Seasons

• Behind The Scenes

• Controversy

• TRP

• Awards

• Conclusion

Details

Story

PlayMahabharat is a rich and complex epic. It's a story about family, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil. It's a tale that spans generations and encompasses everything from political intrigue and war to personal relationships and the search for truth.

The show starts with Bhishma, the son of Shantanu and Ganga, who takes an oath of celibacy to convince Satyavati to marry his father, the king of Hastinapura. Together, Shantanu and Satyavati have two children - Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. However, when Vichitravirya dies without any children, it's up to Veda Vyasa, the son of Satyavati born through supernatural means, to impregnate Vichitravirya's two wives, Ambika and Ambalika, through the same process that brought him into the world.

As a result, Ambika gives birth to Dhritarashtra, who is born blind, while Ambalika gives birth to Pandu, who is born pale. In addition, Vyasa also impregnates a maid named Parishrami through the occult, and she gives birth to Vidura. With the birth of these children, the stage is set for the epic struggle that will define the story of Mahabharat.

As the years go by, Dhritarashtra is denied the throne because of his blindness, and the kingdom is given to Pandu. However, Pandu is cursed by Sage Kindama, and he is forced to renounce the kingdom with his two wives, Kunti and Madri. Despite this setback, Kunti can use a boon given to her by Sage Durvasa to bear children from the gods, including Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna. Kunti uses her boon to help Madri give birth to the twins Sahadeva and Nakula.

Meanwhile, Gandhari, the wife of Dhritarashtra, gives birth to a large pile of flesh after being pregnant for two years. However, Veda Vyasa cuts this lump into 101 pieces, eventually transforming into the 100 Kauravas and a daughter named Dushala. As the years go by, the Kauravas become evil, while the Pandavas are righteous.

This sets the stage for a series of events leading to the Kuru Kingdom being divided. The Pandavas received a new kingdom called Khandavprastha, which they renovated and renamed Indraprastha. However, Duryodhana, the eldest Kaurava, becomes jealous of the Pandavas' prosperity, and he summons them for a dice game. During the game, Yudhishthira loses his kingdom, brothers, and even his wife, Draupadi, who is humiliated in front of the entire court.

The dice game sets off a chain of events that will ultimately lead to the great war of the Mahabharat, in which the Pandavas and Kauravas will fight for control of the kingdom. Along the way, there are numerous battles, betrayals, and moments of great heroism and sacrifice. The story is filled with memorable characters, including the warrior Karna, the trickster god Krishna, and the warrior prince Arjuna, who is the central figure of the epic.

Schedule 

The Mahabharat TV series was originally aired on Star Plus from September 16th 2013, to August 16th 2014. The series can now be watched on Disney+ Hotstar.

Cast

Crew 

Directors - Siddharth Anand Kumar, Amarprith G, Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kamal Monga, & Loknath Pandey

Creative Director - Amol Surve

Producers - Siddharth Kumar Tewary & Rahul Kumar Tewary

Production Company - Swastik Productions

Theme Music Composer - Ajay-Atul

Composers - Jitesh Panchal, Lenin Nandi, & Sushant Pawar

Editor - Paresh Shah

Written By - Siddharth Kumar Tewary, Sharmin Joseph, Radhika Anand, Anand Vardhan, & Mihir Bhuta

Distributor - Star India

Character Analysis

Krishna

Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu in Hindu mythology, is a complex and multifaceted character in the Mahabharata. In his depiction as a strategist, he uses his intelligence and diplomacy to bring peace between the warring Pandavas and Kauravas. As a teacher, he imparts wisdom to his disciple Arjuna and the other Pandavas. As a friend, he supports and guides them through their trials and tribulations. And as a leader, he inspires and motivates his followers to fight for justice and righteousness. Through his actions and words, Krishna embodies the ideals of dharma and spirituality, making him a revered and beloved figure.

Arjuna

Arjuna is portrayed as a skilled warrior, deeply conflicted about fulfilling his duties as a warrior and the moral implications of his actions. He is depicted as a hero and a human being struggling with doubts and fears. Arjuna seeks guidance from Krishna, who acts as his charioteer and counsellor. Through his interactions with Krishna, Arjuna learns the importance of fulfilling his duties while also striving for moral righteousness and ultimately becomes a more enlightened and powerful warrior. His journey symbolises the struggle between duty and morality, and his character embodies the complex and multifaceted nature of human existence.

Draupadi

Draupadi, the wife of the five Pandavas, is a strong, independent woman who holds her own in a patriarchal society. She is highly intelligent and skilled in many areas, including music and politics. Her character undergoes a lot of emotional turmoil and trauma, but she remains resilient and determined. She speaks her mind and demands justice when she is wronged, symbolising women's empowerment. Draupadi's story also highlights the importance of consent and the destructive consequences of toxic masculinity. Draupadi remains a beacon of hope and a powerful force in Mahabharat despite her trials.

Mahabharat: Seasons

The show had 28 seasons in total. It was broadcasted on Star Plus from September 16th, 2013, to August 16th, 2014, and is currently accessible on Disney+ Hotstar's digital platform.

Behind the Scenes

PlayIn the making of the series, over 400 people were involved, including 200 working on graphics, with acclaimed author Devdutt Pattanaik serving as the chief consultant.

Additionally, prominent figures such as writer Salim Khan, music directors Ajay-Atul and Ismail Darbar, and action director Ram Shetty were involved. Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary directed the Draupadi cheer haran sequence, which took 20 days to shoot. The actors also shared that the final fight between Bheema and Duryodhana required three days to shoot.

Star Plus senior vice-president Nikhil Madhok explained that the younger generation should be reintroduced to this epic, which is open to interpretation and has many intricacies.

Controversy

The TV show Mahabharat was embroiled in a controversy regarding the portrayal of Draupadi's cheer haran (disrobing) scene. Some viewers felt that the scene was too graphic and went against the values of the epic. There were also complaints about the costumes and the use of modern language in the show. The producers defended the show, saying they had taken great care to stay true to the original text while making it relevant to contemporary audiences. Despite the controversy, the show was a huge success and is still regarded as one of the most popular adaptations of the epic.

TRP

The premiere of Mahabharat had a viewership of 8.4 million impressions, and it became the tenth most-watched Hindi GEC of 2013, with an average viewership of 5.6 million.

The show's viewership peaked at 10 TVMs during the episode featuring Draupadi's 'cheer haran', helping Star Plus achieve one of the highest GTVMs.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, it was re-aired and featured in the top five programs even during the re-run. The show was also listed in the top 20 TV series of all time in 2016.

Awards

Conclusion

Mahabharat (2013) was a visually stunning and engaging retelling of the ancient epic, featuring excellent performances and production value. Its controversial portrayal of certain characters and events was balanced by its strong storytelling and message of dharma. The show's popularity and enduring legacy make it a must-watch for fans of Indian mythology and television.