4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Mahabharat (1988 TV series)

Mahabharat is an Indian television series based on the Hindu epic of the same name, A total of
ninety-four episodes[1] had its original run from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990 on Mahabharat
Doordarshan.[2][3] It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by his son, Ravi Chopra.[4] The
music was composed by Raj Kamal. The script was written by the Urdu poet Rahi Masoom Raza,
based on the original story by Vyasa. Costumes for the series were provided by Maganlal
Dresswala.[5]

Each episode ran for approximately 60 minutes and began with a title song that consisted of lyrical
content and two verses from the Bhagavad Gita.[6] The title song was sung and the verses rendered
by singer Mahendra Kapoor. The title song was followed by a narration by Indian voice-artist Genre Mythological
Harish Bhimani of a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting Created by B. R. Chopra
the spiritual significance of the content of the episode. It is the most successful Mahabharata series
Based on Mahabharata by
ever produced for television.[7]
Ved Vyas
Mahabharat Katha Part II - Story of Barbarik and Veer Babhruvahan was a spin-off series which Written by Pandit Narendra
contained portions left out of Mahabharat.[8] Sharma
Dr. Rahi Masoom
Mahabharat program re-telecasting again on DD Bharati and DD Retro channel, During the 2020
Raza
coronavirus lockdown in India. [9]
Screenplay by Rahi Masoom
Raza

Contents Directed by B. R. Chopra

Ravi Chopra
Premise Creative Yashwant Mahilwar
Cast director(s)
Main Starring Nitish Bharadwaj
Recurring Mukesh Khanna
Episodes Gajendra Chauhan
Production Praveen Kumar
Arjun
Broadcast
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 1/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Reception Rupa Ganguly

Puneet Issar
Home media
Pankaj Dheer
Legacy Gufi Paintal
See also Narrated by Harish Bhimani
References Composer(s) Rajkamal
External links Country of origin India
Original Hindi

Premise language(s)
No. of seasons 1
The story covers the incidents of epic Mahabharata revolving around Lord Krishna, Pandavas, No. of episodes 94
Kauravas, Karna, Draupadi etc.
Production
The show begins with Emperor Bharata giving more importance to ‘Potential’ over ‘Birth’. The Executive D.H. Vengurlekar
latter shows the birth of Bheeshma and his oath, birth of Pandu, Dhitarashtra and Vidur and birth producer(s)
of Pandavas and Kauravas. The story then focuses on the childhood Lord Krishna and death of
Kamsa. Producer(s) B. R. Chopra
Cinematography Dharam Chopra
Elsewhere, Dronacharya teaches Pandavas and Kauravas and asks to defeat Drupad as Guru
Editor(s) Shailendra Doke
Dakshina. Pandavas do so and gives half of his kingdom to Drona. For revenge, Drupad obtains
Dhrishthadhyumna and Draupadi. Dhritarashtra makes Yudhishthir the crown prince of Bhirpal Singh
Hastinapur. Shakuni and Duryodhan hatch a plan to burn Pandavas and Kunti alive, but they Running time 60 minutes
survive and go into incognito. Duryodhan is made crown prince of Hastinapur. Production B R Films
Arjuna wins Draupadi in her swayamvara but latter shows her marriage with all five Pandavas. company(s)
Later, Yudhishthir is made the king of Indraprastha and Pandavas conduct Rajsuya Yagna where Release
Draupadi insults Duryodhana. Latter, shows Duryodhana's revenge by trying to disrobe her and
Original network DD National
sending Pandavas along with Draupadi for an exile of 12 years and 1 year of anonymity. This sows
the seed for the Mahabharata War. Picture format 576i
Original release 2 October 1988 –
After 13 years, Arjun and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu marries Uttara. Krishna tries to make peace
24 June 1990
between both the parties. Indra in disguise of a brahmin took Karna's armour and earrings. Krishna
reveals Karna's true identity of being the eldest Pandava. Chronology
Followed by Mahabharat Katha
Before Mahabharata War, Shri Krishna enlightens Arjuna about Geeta and showed his Virata
Swaroopa to Arjuna. The latter shows the death of Bheeshma, Drona, Karna, Abhimanyu, Shalya,
Shakuni, Ghatotkach, 100 Kauravas, 5 sons of Draupadi and many other warriors in the war leading to victory of Pandavas over Kauravas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 2/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia
Gandhari holds Krishna responsible for her son's 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 Shri Krishna, Incarnation of Lord Vishnu/
Devaki-Vasudev's eighth son/ Foster son of Nand and Yashoda,
Radha's Consort/ Balaram and Subhadra's brother/ Pandavas'
cousin/ husband of Rukmini, Satyabhama and other 16106
queens/Lord Rama in the song sabso uchi prem sagaai .
Shampa Gopikrishna as Young Krishna
Kewal Shah as Adolescent Krishna
Mukesh Khanna as "Devavrata" Bhishma, Shantanu-Ganga's
eighth son / eighth Vasu / Satyavati's step-son
Daboo Malik as Adolescent Bhishma
Gajendra Chauhan as Yudhishthir, first Pandav / son of Kunti
and Yama / eldest son of Kuru Clan / King of Indraprastha and
later Hastinapura / husband of Draupadi
Sonu as Young Yudhishthir
Praveen Kumar as Bhim, second Pandav / son of Kunti and
Vayu / second-eldest son of Kuru clan / Yuvraaj(crown Prince) of
Indraprastha / husband of Draupadi and Hidimba / father of
Ghatotkacha
Mallik as Young Bhim
Arjun as Arjuna, third Pandava / son of Kunti and Indra/
husband of Draupadi, Uloopi, Chitrangada and Subhadra /
brother-in-law of Balaram-Krishna/ father of Abhimanyu
Ankur Javeri as Young Arjun
Sameer Chitre as Nakul, fourth Pandav, son of Madri and
Ashwini Kumara / husband of Draupadi
Sanjeev Chitre as Sahadeva, fifth Pandav, son of Madri and
Ashwini Kumara / husband of Draupadi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series)
Roopa Ganguly as Draupadi, wife of all Pandavas / also called
as Panchali / Yagyaseni / younger daughter of Drupad/ Princess
of Panchala / sister of Dhrishtadhyumna and Shikhandi
Aloka Mukherjee as Subhadra, Arjuna's second wife/
Abhimanyu's mother / Vasudev's daughter / Krishna-Balaram's
sister / Yadava Princess
Puneet Issar as Duryodhan, eldest son of Gandhari and
Dhitarashtra / elder brother of 99 Kauravas / husband of
Bhanumati
Amit Shukla as young Duryodhan
Pankaj Dheer as Karna, son of Kunti and Surya / Adhiratha-
Radha's foster son / King of Anga
Harendra Paintal as Young Karna
Vinod Kapoor as Dushasan, Second son of Gandhari and
Dhitarashtra / Duryodhan's younger brother
Kaushal Shah as Young Dushasan
Gufi Paintal as Shakuni, Gandhari's brother / later King of
Gandhara
Girija Shankar as Hastinapur Naresh Maharaj Dhritrashtra,
Vichitravirya's son from Ambika(eldest) / later king of Hastinapur
/ father of Kauravas
Renuka Israni as Gandhari, wife of Dhritrashtra / Queen of
Hastinapur / mother of Kauravas / princess of Gandhara
Tarakesh Chauhan as Pandu, Vichitravirya's son from
Ambalika(youngest) / King of Hastinapur / father of Pandavas
Nazneen as Kunti, Pandu's first wife / mother of Karna,
Yudhisthira, Bhim and Arjun / daughter of Shoorsen / Vasudev's
sister / Yadava princess / foster daughter of Kuntibhoj
3/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia
Roma Manek as Madri, Pandu's second wife / Madra princess /
mother of Nakul and Sahadev
Virendra Razdan as Vidur, the Mahaa Mantri of Hastinapur / son
of Ambika's head maid, Parishrami / half-brother to the kings
Dhritarashtra and Pandu of Hastinapura and also the uncle of
Pandavas and Kauravas
Recurring
Harish Bhimani as Samay / narrator
Sagar Salunkhe as Dau Balram, Vasudev's elder brother
Chetan Hansraj as adolescent Balram
Raj Babbar as Chakravarti Samrat Hastinapur Naresh Bharat,
ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas / son of King Dushyanta
and Shakuntala
Ashalata Wabgaonkar as Rajmata Shakuntala, Bharata's
mother / King Dushyanta's wife
Rishabh Shukla as Maharaj Shantanu, descendant of Bharata
Kiran Juneja as Mata Ganga, Shantanu's first wife / Bhishma's
mother / the holy river of Hindus.
Paramjeet Chima as Dashraj, Satyavati's father
Debashree Roy as Rajmata Satyavati, Shantanu's second wife /
Vyasa, Vichitravirya and Chitrangada's mother / Bhishma's step-
mother
Rajesh Vivek as Maharishi Ved Vyas, son of sage Parashara
and Satyavati/ father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura/ partial
incarnation of Lord Vishnu/ author of Mahabharata
Sudesh Berry as Hastinapur Naresh Maharaj Vichitravirya,
Shantanu-Satyavati's second son after Chitrangada, Bhisma's
step brother / husband of Ambika and Ambalika / father of
Dhritarashtra and Pandu
Jahnavi as Amba, first princess of Kashi
Meena Chakrabarty as Maharani Ambika, second princess of
Kashi / Vichitravirya's first queen
Menaka Babbar as Rani Ambalika, third princess of Kashi /
Vichitravirya's second queen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series)
Surendra Pal as Dronacharya, Kauravas' guru and Pandavas
Pradeep Rawat as Ashwatthama, son of Dronacharya
Dharmesh Tiwari as Kulguru Kripacharya, family Teacher /
brother of Kripi
Kamlesh Maan as Devi Sulabha, Vidur's wife
Lalit Mohan Tiwari as Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra's advisor and also
his charioteer
Dinesh Anand as Vikarna, Son of Gandhari and Dhitarashtra /
Duyodhan's younger brother
Om Katare as Adhiratha, Charioteer / Karna's foster father
Saroj Sharma as Radha, Adhiratha's wife / Karna's foster
mother
Kapil Kumar as Madra Naresh Maharaj Shalya, Madri's brother/
King of Madra
Razak Khan as Ghatotkach
Mayur Verma (Master Mayur) as Abhimanyu
Varsha Usgaonkar as Rajkumari Uttara, Abhimanyu's wife /
Matsya princess
Ayub Khan as Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu and Uttara /
grandson of Arjuna and Subhadra
Ramlal Gupta as Mathura Naresh Maharaj Ugrasen, King of
Mathura, Surasena / father of Kansa and Devaki
Goga Kapoor as Mathura Naresh Maharaj Kansa, son of
Ugrasen / brother of Devaki
Vishnu Sharma as Yadav Vasudev, son of Shoorsen / brother of
Kunti / prince of Vrishni tribe / father of Balaram, Krishna and
Subhadra
Kshama Raj as Devi Rohini, Vasudev's elder wife / mother of
Balaram
4/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia
Sheela Sharma as Rajkumar Devaki, Vasudev's younger wife /
sister of Kansa / daughter of Ugrasena / mother of Krishna and
Subhadra
Rasik Dave as Nand Raj, Chief of Gokul / foster father of
Krishna
Manju Vyas as Yashoda, Nand's wife / foster mother of Krishna
Channa Ruparel as Maharani Rukmini, Krishna's chief wife
Parijat as Devi Radha, Krishna's consort
Rakesh Sahu as young Sudama
Sumeet Raghavan as adolescent Sudama
Ajay Sinha as Akroor, Vrishni Chief
Bashir Khan as Satyaki, General
Ashok Banthia as Senapati Kritvarma
Pradeep Sharma as Panchalaraj Drupada, Draupadi's father /
King of Panchala
Arun Bakshi as Yuvraaj Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi's brother /
Prince of Panchala
Paintal as Rajkumar Shikhandi / Adult Sudama
Ashok Sharma as Matsya Naresh Maharaj Virata, King of
Matsya
Chandni Sharma as Maharani Sudeshna, Queen of Matsya
Sameer Rajda as Yuvraaj Uttar, crown prince of Matsya
Episodes
Episode 1 - Introduction of Kuru Family, Raja Bharat and Raja Shantanu
Episode 2 - Ganga Kills Her Sons
Episode 3 - Bhishma is Grown-up
Episode 4 - Bhishma Pratigya/Iccha Mrityu Vardaan
Episode 5 - Amba, Ambika and Ambalika's Introduction
Episode 6 - Birth of Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series)
Sharat Saxena as Senapati Kichak, Army General of Matsya
Deep Dhillon as Sindhuraj Jayadratha, Dussala's husband,
Kaurava's brother-in-law, King of Sindhu
Vikrant Mathur as Gandhararaj Subala, Shakuni's and
Gandhari's Father, King of Gandhara
Shivendra Mahal as Bhagwan Parshuram / Lord Shiva
Satish Kaul as Devraj Indra
Gopi Krishna as Chitrasena
Rakesh Bidua as Kashya, King Of Kashi
Rana Jung Bahadur as Magada Naresh Maharaj Jarasandh,
King of Magadha, father-in-law of Kans
Karunakar Pathak as Chediraj Shishupala, King of Chedi,
cousin of Krishna and Balaram
Pawan Shukla as Shalv Kumar, Prince of Salwa
Prem Sagar as Rishi Kanva
Pankaj Berry as Rishi Kindama, sage who cursed Pandu
Vikas Prasad as Ekalavya
Randhir Singh as Hidimba / Bhootana (Putana)
Sabrina as Bhootana, (Putana)
Dara Singh as Hanuman (cameo)
Irrfan Khan (cameo)
5/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Episode 7 - Karna's Birth-story, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari Get Married and Pandu and Kunti Get Married

Episode 8 - Madri is gifted to Pandu, Pandu is resting and Sage Kindama's curse on Pandu

Episode 9 - Dhritarashtra is king, Pandu's sanyas and Kansa is king and Akashwani about Krishna

Episode 10 - Birth of Balarama and Five Pandavas

Episode 11 - Krishna Janma

Episode 12 - Pootna's Death

Episode 13 - Krishna brahmand darshan and Krishna gets caught while stealing makhan

Episode 14 - Maiya Mori Mai nahi makhan khayo and Kaliya Nag Tandav

Episode 15 - Radha and Gopikas, protest against Mathura, Devakasur and Trulambasur Vadh

Episode 16 - Kansa invites Krishna to Mathura

Episode 17 - Kansa Vadh

Episode 18 - Pandu's Death

Episode 19 - Satyavati, Ambika, Ambalika take sanyas with Rishi Vyas

Episode 20 - Duryodhan Poisons Bhim and Bhim Gets Strength of 1000 Elephants

Episode 21 - Sudama's chivda and Drona arrives at Hastinapur

Episode 22 - Shastra Pooja, Drona insults Karna and Arjun's Test

Episode 23 - Ekalavya, Karna's Education, Arjun's Test of Bird's Eye

Episode 24 - All grown up, prince is to be nominated and everyone exhibit their skills in Rangbhoomi, Karna challenges Arjun and
Duryodhan gives Anga desh to Karna

Episode 25 - Drona's guru dakshina to capture Dhrupad

Episode 26 - Krishna gets Sudarshan chakra from Parshuram, defeats Jarasandh and orders building Dwarika

Episode 27 - Yudhishthir Is crowned as Prince. Rukmini Is Being Forced to Marry Shishupal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 6/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Episode 28 - Krishna Rescues Rukmini

Episode 29 - Lakshagraha is built in Varnavata by Purochan

Episode 30 - Tunneling in Varnavat Begins

Episode 31 - Escape from Lakshagraha

Episode 32 - Hidimb Vadh and Bhima's marriage

Episode 33 - Bakasur Vadh

Episode 34 - Dristadyumna & Draupadi Birth and Draupadi Swayamvar

Episode 35 - Arjun wins Draupadi and later She became wife of 5 Pandavas

Episode 36 - Pandavas Leave from Panchal to Hastinapur

Episode 37 - Pandavas Arrives at Hastinapur and Kingdom Is Divided

Episode 38 - Pandav Get Khandavprastha

Episode 39 - Coronation of Yudhirsthir, Khandavprastha Becomes Indraprastha

Episode 40 - Arjun runs away with Subhadra

Episode 41 - Arjun weds Subhadra. Arjun gets Devdatta Conch and Gandiva and Bhima gets his Gada

Episode 42 - Jarasandh Vadh, Rajsuya Yagnya begins, Shishupal's Story

Episode 43 - Rajsuya Yagya, Shishupal Vadh

Episode 44 - Vyas predicts War, Draupadi laughs at Duryodhan

Episode 45 - Pandavas go to Hastinapur to gamble

Episode 46 - Yudhishthir loses Everything

Episode 47 - Vastraharan of Draupadi

Episode 48 - Pandavas Get Back Everything

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 7/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Episode 49 - Re-match of Dyut

Episode 50 - Vanvas Begins

Episode 51 - Gandharvas catch Duryodhan

Episode 52 - Arjun worships Lord Indra and Lord Shiva for Divyastra and gets Pashupatastra

Episode 53 - Krishna's story of one grain of rice, Bhim meets Ghatotkach and Hanuman, Arjun learns dance from Chitrasen

Episode 54 - Arjun gets curse of impotency from Urvashi, Abhimanyu as a kid, Jayadrath's head is shaved

Episode 55 - Story of Poisoned Water and Yaksha, Abhimanyu is Grown-up

Episode 56 - Agyatvas in Matsya Desh

Episode 57 - Karna's curse, Draupadi as Maid Sairandhri rejects Keechak

Episode 58 - Keechak Vadh by Bheema

Episode 59 - Kaurav Attack Matsya Desh

Episode 60 - Viraat yudh and clothes for Uttara's dolls

Episode 61 - Abhimanyu's marriage and Pandavs decide to send a Doot to Hastinapur

Episode 62 - Dhritarashtra does not agree and sends Sanjay

Episode 63 - Duryodhan gets Narayani Sena from Krishna

Episode 64 - Krishna Goes to Hastinapur as Shanti Doot

Episode 65 - Krishna tooks Virat Avtar and Indra takes Karna's kawach kundala

Episode 66 - Karna's identity is disclosed

Episode 67 - Vidur resigns as prime minister, Kunti meets Karna

Episode 68 - Sanjay gets Divya drishti, Ulluk goes to Pandavas

Episode 69 - Duryodhan tricks Shalya to join Kauravas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 8/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Episode 70 - Shikhandi's Story

Episode 71 - Arjun Worships Goddess Durga, rules of war laid

Episode 72 - Kurukshetra War begins and Arjun Drops His weapons, Geeta Saar begins

Episode 73 - Geeta Saar continues

Episode 74 - Geeta Saar continues and Krishna shows his Maha-avtaar

Episode 75 - Yudhishthir gets blessings, Yuyutsu changes side and war begins, Abhimanyu faces Bhishma

Episode 76 - Uttar dies, Arjun faces Bhishma and day 2 begins

Episode 77 - Arjun is unstoppable, 3rd day is over, 4th day begins, Bhim is surrounded, 10 Kauravs are killed, Krishna takes out his
Sudarshan

Episode 78 - 9th Day is over and 16 Kauravs are dead, Bhishma tells Arjun how to take him out of the war

Episode 79 - Bhishma lies on the bed of Arrows, Karna meets Bhishma

Episode 80 - Day 11, Drona tries to capture Yudhishthir but is unsuccessful, Shantanu comes to Bhishma

Episode 81 - Chakra Vyuh Planned, Duryodhan Promises Susharma

Episode 82 - Abhimanyu Vadh

Episode 83 - Arjun Vows to Kill Jayadrath and Story About Jayadrath's Curse

Episode 84 - Arjun Breaks Kamal Vyuh to Get to Jayadrath

Episode 85 - Jayadrath Vadh

Episode 86 - Ghatotkach dies

Episode 87 - Drona Dies

Episode 88 - Dushasana dies and Karna fights with Arjun, Krishna puts the rath in the land so that Arjun is saved

Episode 89 - Karna's curse, Karna Dies

Episode 90 - Shakuni Dies, Yudhishthir Curses All Woman Kind and Duryodhan Becomes Iron Bodied
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 9/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Episode 91 - Balaram arrives, Bhim-Duryodhan Gada Yudh

Episode 92 - Duryodhan Dies, Ashwathama, Kripa and Kritvarma Remain, Parikshit's Story

Episode 93 - Dhritarashtra Tries to Kill Bhim

Episode 94 - Yudhisthir Becomes King of Hastinapur, Bhishma Dies

Production
According to production team member Kishore Malhotra, the total cost of producing the series was ₹9 crore (US$1.3 million).[10] Nitish
Bharadwaj was chosen by B R Chopra, Ravi Chopra, (screenplay writer) Pandit Narendra Sharma and (dialogue writer) Rahi Masoom
Raza, to play the central role of Krishna, at the age of 23.[11][12] Initially, he was chosen for playing Vidur. But Virendra Razdan was cast for
it as BR Chopra considered Bharadwaj young to play the role.[13] 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.[13] 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.[14] Praveen Kumar was selected to portray Bhima after Chopra was looking for someone "who could look the robust
mythological character".[15] Around six actors 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. Govinda (actor) and Chunky Pandey were signed for the role of Abhimanyu, but they opted out when they bagged films. Later,
Master Mayur played the role.[16] Raj Babbar and Debashree Roy were the only two star actors of that time, who agreed to be parts of this
venture.[17] Mukesh Khanna was initially offered the role of Duryodhan but later got the role of Bhishma.[18]

Broadcast
It was shown in the United Kingdom by the BBC,[19] where it achieved audience figures of 5.1 million.[20][21] It was also the first
programme broadcast on BBC2 after its 1991 revamp,[22] but it had also been shown late at night on BBC 1 the previous year.[23] It has also
been shown on FBC TV in Fiji and Star Utsav. It also aired on Epic in Hong Kong and TVB Jade. Dubbed versions were aired in Tamil,
Telugu, Malayalam and also in Indonesia in the early 1990s on TPI (now MNCTV) and in the early 2000s on ANteve (now antv).

The show was again telecast on DD Bharati from 28 March 2020 during the lockdown of 21 days due to coronavirus.[24][3]

Reception

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 10/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Lavanya Mohan of The Hindu in her article "Retelling of Mahabharata on Television over the years"
wrote "The version that left the maximum impact on me is BR Chopra’s. Yes, the sets were gaudy, the
effects comical, and the acting got a little too dramatic at times, but the writing and the way the
episodes were paced ensured that the series was ahead of its time." 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.[32]

During the rerun it became the second most watched TV show after Ramayan.[33] In week 13, it
garned 145.8 million impressions with both morning and evening slots combined on DD Bharati.[34]

Home media Roopa Ganguly enacting in

the Vastraharan sequence.
The series was uploaded onto the website "Rajshri.com" along with its dubbed Tamil version.[35] Ganguly was applauded for
Home video of the Bengali-dubbed version of this series has been released by Heart Video.[36] her performance in the
sequence.[25] Ravi Chopra
Legacy later disclosed that she was
originally weeping while
Mahabharat along with Ramayana (1987) became one of the most successful television series based enacting in the sequence and
on an epic in Indian television history. Many actors became popular through their appearances in this the crew member had to
series. Mukesh Khanna shot to fame as Bhishma and named his production company after his console her later to make her
character, and Roopa Ganguly went on to become a successful actress in Bengali cinema.[37][38]
stop.[25][26]
The sequence is often
See also claimed to be the most
Ramayan (1987 TV series) climactic one of the series.[27]
For the sequence Chopra
References recreated the visual effect of
the Vastraharan sequence of
1. "B.R. Chopra (Indian filmmaker) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia" (http://www.britannica.com/EBc Babubhai Mistry's Mahabharat
hecked/topic/1488935/BR-Chopra). Britannica.com. Retrieved 10 August 2012. (1965) starring Padmini as
2. McLain, Karline (2009). India's immortal comic books: gods, kings, and other heroes. Indiana Draupadi.[28] His visual effects
University Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-253-22052-3. won more favour than that of
3. "Iconic mythological series 'Mahabharat' to be re-telecast beginning Saturday at 12 and 7 PM" (htt the 1965 film and has still
ps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/iconic-mythological-series-mahabharat-to-be-re-tele been considered by a part of
cast-beginning-saturday-at-12-and-7-pm/articleshow/74852492.cms). The Times of India.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 11/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

4. "Remembering BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat' " (https://www.thequint.com/ critics to be the most brilliant
entertainment/tv/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-creation- in line.[29][30]
mahabharat-came-into-being). The Quint.
While Vyasa wrote about
5. "Behind the scenes: Dress designers to actors & deities" (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030
420/spectrum/main5.htm). The Tribune. 20 April 2003. Retrieved 2 June 2013. Dharma providing Draupadi
6. Title Song Lyrics from the TV Series Mahabharat (https://web.archive.org/web/20170318094225/ht with clothes, Chopra, in the
tp://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabharat-hindu-epic/), 21 September sequence, delineated the
2013, archived from the original (http://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabh popular myth of Krishna
arat-hindu-epic/) on 18 March 2017, retrieved 1 December 2014 having provided with clothes,
7. "31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows which received criticism that
ever" (https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-k
Chopra only meant for mass
now-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/). The Financial Express.
8. "B.R. Chopra (Indian filmmaker) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica.com. Retrieved appeal.[31]
2012-08-10.
9. "MahaBharat Serial started again on DD Bharati" (https://www.freedish.in/2020/03/mahabharat-seri
al-on-doordarshan.html). www.freedish.in.
10. Mahabharat Ki Mahabharat: The Making of B.R. Chopra's "Mahabharat"
11. " 'I DID NOT want to play Krishna in Mahabharat' " (http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-s
how-1-mahabharats-krishna-is-back-tv/20130522.htm#1).
12. "Janmashtami 2017: Actor Nitish Bharadwaj recollects his days from the Mahabharat" (https://ww
w.hindustantimes.com/tv/janmashtami-2017-actor-nitish-bharadwaj-recollects-his-days-from-the-m
ahabharat/story-4QN6MWDOS51wUeMVvjKRjP.html).
13. "Mahabharat: Nitish Bharadwaj refused to play Krishna, dodged BR Chopra to avoid screen test"
(https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-nitish-bharadwaj-refused-to-play-krishna-dodged-
br-chopra-to-avoid-screen-test/story-m4vUm8SeWSe1gAIbb0v1oL.html). Hindustan Times.
14. Tankha, Madhur (29 August 2012). "Mahabharat's Arjun gets blacklisted!" (https://www.thehindu.co
m/news/cities/Delhi/mahabharats-arjun-gets-blacklisted/article3834854.ece). Retrieved 6 October
2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
15. " 'Bheem' waiting for a special role" (https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelh
i/lsquoBheemrsquo-waiting-for-a-special-role/article16350038.ece). 12 January 2009. Retrieved
6 October 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
16. "Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988" (http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/
actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.ht
ml). Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
17. "B.R. Chopra's serial 'Mahabharat' promises to be another bonanza 31101988" (http://m.indiatoda
y.in/story/b.r.-chopras-serial-mahabharat-promises-to-be-another-bonanza/1/329897.html).
m.indiatoday.in. Retrieved 8 April 2017.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 12/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

18. "Exclusive - Mukesh Khanna: The reruns of Ramayan and Mahabharat will help people like
Sonakshi Sinha, who don't know anything about mythology" (https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hi
ndi/exclusive-mukesh-khanna-the-reruns-of-ramayan-and-mahabharat-will-help-people-like-sonaks
hi-sinha-who-dont-know-anything-about-mythology/photostory/74977826.cms?picid=74977940).
The Times of India.
19. "BBC Genome:Mahabarat - transmission times" (http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?adv=0&
q=Mahabharat&media=all&yf=1923&yt=2009&mf=1&mt=12&tf=00%3A00&tt=00%3A00#search).
Retrieved 1 October 2015.
20. ":: omnimb.ca > Epic Hindi Language Series Mahabharat Launches Exclusively on Rogers
OMNI Television Channels In Ontario and British Columbia ::" (https://web.archive.org/web/2008
0429193553/http://www.omnimb.ca/info/press/p_20050809.shtml). 29 April 2008. Retrieved
6 October 2018. no-break space character in |title= at position 4 (help)
21. Jones, Mark (7 June 2013). "The Returned: how British TV viewers came to lose their fear of
subtitles" (https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/07/british-television-subititles). the
Guardian. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
22. "Rochak kahani mahabharat ki" (https://www.gkhindinews.com/). Gkhindinews. 10 February 2020.
Retrieved 10 February 2020.
23. "Watch Rochak kahani mahabharat ki" (https://www.gkhindinews/). Gkhindinews. Retrieved
11 February 2020.
24. "On public demand, Ramayan & Mahabharat makes comeback during lockdown" (https://www.outl
ookindia.com/newsscroll/on-public-demand-ramayan--mahabharat-makes-comeback-during-lockd
own/1782399). Outlook India. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
25. "Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद आधे घंटे तक रोई थीं ' ौपद ' पा गांगल
ु , पहनी थीं 250 मीटर लंबी साड़ी"
(https://www.timesnowhindi.com/entertainment/television/article/roopa-ganguly-cried-half-an-hour-
after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-in-mahabharata/288479). www.timesnowhindi.com (in Hindi). 11
April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
26. "Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद ौपद का करदार नभाने वाल ं पा गांगुल आधे घंटे तक रोती रह थीं" (htt
ps://www.livehindustan.com/entertainment/story-mahabharat-roopa-ganguly-cried-for-half-an-hour-
after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-3156116.html). www.livehindustan.com (in Hindi). 17 April 2020.
Retrieved 20 April 2020.
27. "Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988" (https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/
actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.ht
ml). www.hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
28. "Mahabharat (1965) - Review, Star Cast, News, Photos" (https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/maha
bharat-3272). Cinestaan. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
29. "Why the new Mahabharat is an epic fail- Entertainment News, Firstpost" (https://www.firstpost.co
m/entertainment/why-the-new-mahabharat-is-an-epic-fail-1114011.html). Firstpost. 17 September
2013. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 13/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

30. "Happy B'day BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat' " (https://www.thequint.com/e
ntertainment/2016/04/22/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-c
reation-mahabharat-came-into-being). The Quint. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
31. Dissanayake, Wimal (1993). "The concepts of evil and social order in Indian melodrama: an
evolving dialectic". In Dissanayake, Wimal (ed.). Melodrama and Asian Cinema (https://books.goo
gle.com/books?id=C-Y6811S3agC). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-41465-4.
Retrieved 12 May 2019.
32. Mohan, Lavanya (16 October 2015). "Epic television" (https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplu
s/radio-and-tv/retelling-of-mahabharata-on-television-over-the-years-epic-television/article777018
1.ece). Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
33. "DD emerges as most watched channel; Ramayana, Mahabharata among favourites" (https://www.
livemint.com/industry/media/dd-emerges-as-most-watched-channel-ramayana-mahabharata-amon
g-favourites-11586423915023.html). Live Mint.
34. "Reruns of 1980-90s classics Ramayan, Shaktimaan, Byomkesh make DD most-watched channel"
(https://theprint.in/india/ramayan-shaktimaan-byomkesh-bakshi-make-dd-national-most-watched-c
hannel-across-genres/398610/). The Print.
35. "Mahabharat on the net" (https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/maha
bharat-on-the-net/article3231819.ece). 22 December 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via
www.thehindu.com.
36. "Mahabharat now in Bengali" (https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/mahabha
rat-now-in-bengali/article2912867.ece). 20 February 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via
www.thehindu.com.
37. Ghosh, Bishwanath (25 July 2015). "Ideology vs. stature" (https://www.thehindu.com/features/mag
azine/bishwanath-ghosh-gajendra-chauhans-appointment-as-ftii-chairman/article7460395.ece).
Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
38. Tankha, Madhur (8 May 2015). "No child's play" (https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-feature
s/tp-fridayreview/no-childs-play/article7181850.ece). Retrieved 6 October 2018 – via
www.thehindu.com.

External links
Mahabharat (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158417/) on IMDb

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series)&oldid=954026217"

This page was last edited on 30 April 2020, at 08:26 (UTC).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 14/15
4/30/2020 Mahabharat (1988 TV series) - Wikipedia

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and
Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series) 15/15