Mahabharat (2013 TV series)
This article's factual accuracy is disputed. (February 2022) |
Mahabharat | |
---|---|
Mythology | |
Created by | Siddharth Kumar Tewary |
Based on | Mahabharata by Vyasa |
Written by |
|
Directed by |
|
Creative director | Amol Surve |
Starring | Ajay–Atul[1] |
Composers |
|
Country of origin | India |
Original language | Hindi |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 267 Multi camera |
Running time | 22 minutes 45 minutes (for introductory episode) |
Production company | Swastik Productions |
Original release | |
Network | StarPlus |
Release | 16 September 2013 16 August 2014 | –
Mahabharat is a 2013 Indian mythological television series based on the
Plot
The story begins with
25 years later
Chitrangada dies and on the advice of Satyavati, Bhishma wins the three princesses of the Kashi Kingdom, Amba, Ambika, and Ambalika for Vichitravirya but the eldest Princess
25 years later
Amba is reborn as Shikandini to King Drupad of Panchal and he says that she will be the cause of Bhishma's death. Bhishma goes to
15 months later
Gandhari was pregnant for more than a year which angers Dhritarashta. Kunti uses her boon, given to her by Sage
15 years later
Pandu becomes captivated by the beauty of Madri and engages in sexual intercourse with her. Madri, despite her best efforts, is unable to fend him off from the act. As a result of the sage's curse, Pandu dies. Attributing her husband's death to herself, Madri decided to end her life with Pandu, by the practise of sati. Pandavas return to Hastinapur with Kunti, after the death of Pandu and Madri. The Kauravas grow up to be evil, led by their eldest brother Duryodhana, who is highly influenced by his maternal uncle Shakuni, contrary to the Pandavas who are righteous. They conspired against the Pandavas. Shakuni tries to poison Bheema, but he is saved by his great-grandfather Naag Raj. Bhishma banishes Shakuni from Hastinapur, forcing him to return to Gandhar. All princes are sent to study under Guru Dronacharya where Dronacharya teaches everyone about warfare including his son Ashwatthama.
12 years later
The princes return to Hastinapur, where they are engaged in a competition to showcase their skills. Arjuna wins the competition, but Karna challenges Arjuna as Dronacharya declares Arjuna as the greatest bowman in the world. Kunti realizes that Karna is her son whom she had obtained from Surya, the Sun God, long before marriage. Later, Drona tells them to defeat King Drupad, who was Drona's old friend but betrayed and misbehaved with him after becoming the king. They successfully did so. Panchal is partitioned with Ashwatthama made the new king of the half and Drupad being the king of the other half. Later, Yudhishthira gets crowned as the Crown Prince of Hastinapur as he is the eldest.
In the meantime, Arjuna befriends
The sequence of events leads to the Kuru Kingdom being divided - The Pandavas receive a new kingdom -
12 years later
The Pandavas spend their 12 years of exile successfully. Arjun got Pashupatastra from
The Pandavas' peace treaty with the Kauravas fails to materialize, thus confirming that a war is set to happen. Both, the Pandavas and Kauravas, gather their respective armies by allying with different tribes and kingdoms.
Shortly before the Kurukshetra War commences, Arjuna obtains the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita from Krishna, which helps him fight for righteousness without any remorse for killing his people in the process. The war begins and continues for 18 days - both sides face mass destruction. Shikandini is successful in killing Bhishma and Arjun injures him and puts him in a bed of arrows, Dhristhadyumna kills off Drona, Arjun kills off Karna, Bhim kills off Duryodhan's brothers including Dushasan, and avenges Draupadi's insult. In the last day, Sahadeva kills off Shakuni and the war officially ends after Duryodhana, the only remaining Kaurava, is killed by Bhima.
Ashwatthama, on seeing Duryodhana's death, gets angered and raids the Pandava camp at night, killing many soldiers in the process including Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandini. Ashwatthama also killed the Upapandavas(mistakenly thinking that they were the Pandavas)while they were sleeping, He also tries to kill a widowed Uttaraa and her unborn baby rather unsuccessfully, but both of them are revived and the child is named 'Parikshit' by Krishna. Krishna also curses Ashwatthama to remain in severe pain and immortality for the rest of his life because of his heinous act.
The Pandavas meet Bhishma for the last time and take his blessings. They return to Hastinapura, where Dhritarashtra attempts to kill Bhima but is unsuccessful. Dhritarashtra is remorseful and forgives Pandavas. Gandhari curses Krishna for letting the war happen as she loses all of her sons and grandsons, so he suffers the same fate. She curses and he and his Yadava clan will be destroyed. The show ends with Yudhishthira being finally crowned by Krishna, the king of Hastinapur.
Cast
Main
- Sourabh Raaj Jain as Krishna/Vishnu: Devaki and Vasudev's son; Yashoda and Nanda's adopted son; Balram and Subhadra's half brother; Kunti's nephew; Radha's divine consort; Rukmini's husband; Karna and the Pandavas’s cousin; Draupadi's friend. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to earth to protect dharma.
- Shaheer Sheikh as Arjuna: Third Pandava prince; Supreme archer; Pandu and Kunti's son; Indra's spiritual son; Karna, Yudhishthir, Bheem's younger brother; Nakul and Sahadev's elder brother; Draupadi, Ulupi, Chitrangada and Subhadra's husband; Shrutakarma, Iravan, Babruvahana and Abhimanyu's father; Uttarā's teacher and father in law; Parikshit's grandfather.
- Pooja Sharma as Draupadi: Princess of Panchal; King Drupad's fire born daughter; Shikhandini and Dhristadyumna's younger sister; Yudhishthir, Bhim, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev's wife; Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Shrutakarma, Shatanika and Shrutasena's mother. Later Queen consort of Indraprastha and Hastinapur.
- Aham Sharma as Karna: King of Anga; The supreme archer; Surya and Kunti's son; Pandavas's elder brother; Adhiratha's foster son; Duryodhan's friend.
- Duryodhan: Eldest Kaurava; King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's first son; Shakuni's nephew; Karna and Ashwathama's friend. Bhanumati's husband. An arrogant and hotheaded crown prince of Hastinapur, he is often manipulated by his maternal uncle Shakuni, an excellent mace fighter. Killed by Bheema on the 18th day.
- Praneet Bhat as Shakuni: King Subala and Queen Sudharma's son; Gandhari's elder brother; Arshi's husband; Uluka, Vrikasura and Patatatri's father. In beginning, he is a prince but later King of Gandhara. He is devious and strategised all plans of Duryodhan against Pandavas. He has grudge against Bhishma for marrying his sister Gandhari to Dhritarashtra. Killed by Sahadeva on the 18th day.
- and Goddess Ganga's son and Grandsire of Pandavas and Kauravas; Greatest Warrior. He had taken a pledge of celibacy and was given a boon by his father to decide the timing of death. Defeated by Arjuna on the 10th day.
- Thakur Anoop Singh as Dhritarashtra: Blind King of Hastinapur. He is born from Vyasa and Ambika's niyoga; Pandu and Vidura's elder brother; Gandhari's husband, Kauravas and Dushala's father, Pandavas paternal uncle. He is deeply insecure and intensely partial to his sons which often prevents him from making wise decisions.
- Gandhari: King Subala and Queen Sudharma's daughter; Princess of Gandhara; Shakuni's younger sister; Dhritarashtra's wife; Kauravs and Dushala's mother. After knowing that her future husband is born blind she decided to blindfold herself to share the pain of her husband. After her husband's coronation she became queen consort of Hastinapur.
- Shafaq Naaz as Kunti: Dowager Queen of Hastinapur and princess of Kunti Kingdom (prior marriage); King Pandu's first wife. Karna, Yudhisthir, Bhim, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev's mother; Shurasena's daughter; Kuntibhoj's foster daughter; Vasudev's sister; Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra's paternal aunt. She has the power to have a child by invoking God.
- Rohit Bhardwaj as Yudhishthira: First Pandava Prince; A truthful King. He ruled Indraprastha and later Hastinapur; Pandu and Kunti's son; Dharmaraj spiritual son; Karna's younger brother; Bheem, Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev's elder brother; Prativindhya's father.
- Saurav Gurjar as Bhima: Second Pandava Prince; a tremendous mace fighter; Pandu and Kunti's son; Vayu's spiritual son; Karna and Yudhishthir's younger brother; Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva's elder brother; Hidimbi's huasband; Ghatothkacha and Sutasoma's father.
- Nissar Khan as Drona: Sage Bharadwaja's son, Royal teacher of Kuru princes, Kripi's husband, Ashwatthama father. Killed by Drishtadhyumna on Day 15 of the Kurukshetra war.
- Ankit Mohan as Ashwatthama: Drona and Kripi's son; Duryodhan friend, Great warrior on Kaurava's side, Cursed with immortality by Shri Krishna.
- Vin Rana as Nakula: Fourth Pandava Prince; Kunti's son; Ashwini Kumar Nastya's spiritual son; Pandu and Madri's adoptive son; Sahadev's twin elder brother; Karna, Yudhishthira, Bheema and Arjuna's younger brother; Shatanika's father.
- Lavanya Bhardwaj as Sahadeva: Fifth Pandava Prince; Kunti's son; Pandu and Madri's adoptive son; Ashwini Kumar Darsa's spiritual son; Nakul's twin younger brother; Karna, Yudhishthira, Bheema and Arjuna's younger brother; Shrutasena's father.
- Nirbhay Wadhwa as Dushasana: Second Kaurava, King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's second son, Duryodhana's younger brother, 98 Kauravas and Dushala's elder brother, Killed by Bheema on the 16th day.
Recurring
- Yogmaya.
- Nazea Hasan Sayed as Vrushali: Karna's wife.
- Sayantani Ghosh as Satyavati: A fisherwoman who married King Shantanu and became Queen. Ved Vyasa, Chitragada, and Vichitravirya's mother. Bhishma's step-mother.
- Naveen Jinger as Vidura: Prime minister of Hastinapur, Vyasa and Ambika and Ambalika's maid's Parishrami son, Dhritarashtra and Pandu's younger brother, Sulabha's husband.
- Sudesh Berry as Drupada: King of Panchala and father of Shikhandini, Dhristadyumna and Draupadi.
- Karan Suchak as Dhrishtadyumna: King Drupad's fire born son, Shikhandini's younger brother and Draupadi's elder brother and Prince of Panchala, Kshatradharman, Kshatravarman, Kshatranjaya, and Dhrishtaketu's father.
- Shikhandini/Shikhandi: King Drupad and Queen Kokila's daughter; Satyajit, Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi's elder sister; Princess of Panchala and Amba's rebirth.
- Paras Arora as Abhimanyu: Arjun and Subhadra's son; Uttarā's husband and Parikshit's father. A brave and young warrior killed by Kauravas through treachery
- Hemant Choudhary as Kripa: Kul Guru of Hastinapur; Astra Guru of Kauravas and Pandavas; Kripi’s brother and Drona’s brother-in-law
- Sandeep Arora as Vikarna: Third Kaurava prince, King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's third son and Duryodhan and Dushasna's younger brother, Dushala's elder brother and Indumati's husband.
- Abhianshu Vohra as King Susharma.
- Kaushik Chakravorty as Shalya: King of Madra and Madri's elder brother.
- Ajay Mishra as Sanjaya: Dhritarashtra's advisor and charioteer.
- Atul Mishra as Ved Vyas: Satyavati and Maharishi Parashara's son and Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura's surrogate father. Mahabharata's author
- Pandavas, the King of Hastinapur.
- Ali Hassan as
- Jayadratha: King Brihanmanas's son and later King of Sindhu Kingdom, Dushala's husband, and Suratha's father.
- Takshak: Nagraj and Ruler of Takshila who killed Arjuna's grandson Parikshit.
- Vaishnavi Dhanraj as Hidimbā: Bheem's first wife and Ghatothkacha's mother.
- Ketan Karande as Ghatotkacha: Bheema and Himdimbā's son, who was killed by Karna.
- Balrama: Rohini and Vasudev's son, Subhadra's elder brother and Krishna's step elder brother, Revati's husband..
- Deepak Jethi as Virata: Matsya's king, Sudeshna's husband, and Uttar and Uttara's father.
- Mallika Nayak as Sudeshna: Matsya's Queen, Virata's wife, Uttara, and Uttar's Mother.
- Rumi Khan as Kichaka: Commander-in-chief of Matsya, Sudeshna's brother and Uttar and Uttara's maternal uncle.
- Joy Mathur as Shishupala: Krishna's cousin and Duryodhana's friend.
- Richa Mukherjee as Uttarā: King Virata and Queen Sudeshna's daughter, Uttar's younger sister, Abhimanyu's wife, and Parikshit's mother, dowager princess of Hastinapur.
- Pravisht Mishra as Uttar: Virata and Sudeshna's son and Uttara's brother. He was killed by Shalya on first day of war.
- Parashurama: The sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu and the teacher of Bhishma, Drona, and Karna
- Sameer Dharmadhikari as Shantanu: King of Hastinapur, Pratipa and Sunanda's son, Ganga and Satyavati's husband and Bhishma, Chitrangada and Vichtravirya's father.
- Ganga: River goddess of Purity, King Shantanu's first wife, and Bhishma's mother.
- Aryamann Seth as Vichitravirya: King Shantanu and Queen Satyavati's son, Chitrangad's younger brother, and Ambika and Ambalika's husband.
- Kashi
- Aparna Dixit as Ambika: Princess of Kasi kingdom, Vichitravirya's first wife and Dhritarashtra's mother.
- Mansi Sharma as Ambalika:Princess of Kasi kingdom, Vichitravirya's second wife and Pandu's mother.
- Suhani Dhanki as Madri: Princess of Madra and King Pandu's second wife later second queen consort of Hastinapur and Nakul and Sahadev's mother. She died after the death of her husband Pandu due to a curse.
- Rio Kapadia as Subala: King of Gandhar, Sudharma's husband and Shakuni and Gandhari's father.
- Shweta Gautam as Sudharma: Queen of Gandhar, Subala's wife and Shakuni and Gandhari's mother.
- Ananya Agarwal as Malini: Draupadi's little friend.
- Anju Jadhav as Sugadha: Gandhari's maid and Yuyutsu's mother.
- Jayantika Sengupta as Arshi: Shakuni's wife.
- Manish Bishla as Yuyutsu: Dhritarashtra and Sugadha’s son, Duryodhana’s younger step brother and other Kauravas’s elder step brother, fought for Pandavas and remained alive.
- Bhakti Chauhan as Priyamvada: Kunti's childhood friend like maid. The only person who knows Karna's secret from beginning
- Kanishka Soni as Sulabha: Vidura's wife.
- Ketaki Kadam as Radha: Krishna's divine consort.
- Chandni Sharma as Kripi: Drona's wife, Ashwathama's mother, and Kripa's twin sister.
- Dushala: King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's daughter, Pandavas and Kauravas' sister, Jayadrath's wife and Suratha's mother.
- Preeti Puri as Devaki: Vasudev's wife, Kansa's sister, and Krishna's mother.
- Vandana Singh as Yashoda: Krishna's adoptive mother.
- Pallavi Subhash[8] as Rukmini: Krishna's first wife in Dwarka.
- Gurpreet Singh ad Rukmi: Prince of Vidharbha and Rukmini's brother.
- Akhilendra Mishra as Kansa: Devaki's elder brother and Krishna's maternal uncle.
- Tinu Verma as Jarasandha: King of Magadha. He is defeated by Karna and is killed by Bheem.
- Raj Premi as Kalayavan: A demon king who was fetched to death by Lord Krishna.
- Niel Satpuda as Prativindhya: Yudhishthira and Draupadi's first son.
- Aman Sharma as Sutasoma: Bhima and Draupadi's son.
- Yash Joshi as Shrutakarma: Arjuna and Draupadi's son.
- Jay Joshi as Shatanika: Nakula and Draupadi's son.
- Akshay Batchua as Shrutasena: Sahadeva and Draupadi's son.
- Yagya Saxena as Guru Dakshina.
- Mohit Raina[9] / Amit Mehra as Lord Shiva: Known as the 'destroyer', a part of the Trinity;Supreme Being
- Sachin Verma / Nikhil Arya as Lord Indra: God of rain, King of the Gods and Heaven, and Bali and Arjuna's father.
- Sandeep Rajora as Lord Surya: Lord Sun and Sugriva and Karna's father.
- Kunal Bhatia as Lord Agni: God of fire. Drishtadyumna and Draupadi's father
- Vishal Kotian as Lord Hanuman: Rama's devotee, Vayu's son, and Bheema's elder spiritual brother.
- Vidyut Xavier as adolescent Karna.
- Vedant Sawant as adolescent Balarama.
- Kunwar Vikram Soni as young Shri Krishna.
- Rohit Shetty as young Yudhishthira.
- Miraj Joshi as young Bhima.
- Soumya Singh as young Arjuna.
- Devish Ahuja as young Nakula.
- Rudhraksh Jaiswal as young Sahadeva.
- Alam Khan as young Duryodhana.
- Aayush Shah[10] as young Ashwatthama.
- Raj Anadkat as young Vikarna (Third eldest brother among the 100 Kauravas).
Production
Background
In November 2005, a report from Variety stated Bobby Bedi's plan to make three feature films and 100 hours of television programming on Indian epic Mahabharat under Kaleidoscope Entertainment with the television version planned to be delivered by the end of 2007.[11] In 2006 it was revealed making for Star Plus which was to be directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi.[12][13] It was a part of Bedi's 360 degree approach to the epic through TV, film, gaming and theme parks.[14] Planned for 100 episodes with new actors, it was planned to premiere in March 2008 but got postpone due to production to August 2008 and later January 2009.[13][15][16]
During this, Ekta Kapoor was simultaneously producing a series on Mahabharat since January 2008 titled Kahaani Hamaarey Mahaabhaarat Ki for a rival channel to premiere in mid 2008 which she earlier planned for Star but could not as the channel roped Bedi.[17][18] This led on to a pressure in the production as they wanted to rush their premiere before Kapoor due to which Dwivedi quit midway after association with them for two years after which three directors were working on it.[19][20] But, they were not able to rush up the series before Kapoor's. 50 episodes were shot at the sets created in Morna between Noida and Delhi for a year after paying ₹6 Crores.[16] However, as the channel was not satisfied with those episodes, they were asked to rework the entire series again pushing its premiere to 2009. But, Bedi reportedly started selling it in DVDs which created problems between them and the channel, and the production was stalled.[16] However, in December 2008, Star took Bedi to Bombay High Court filing an arbitration petition alleging that the production house took ₹6 Crore for the production of the series in advance but has not produced even a single episode while a senior executive from the production house stated, " This legal notice is Star's way of pulling out of the show. Maybe it doesn't want to go ahead with the Mahabharat project after all."[21] After these, the shooting was expected to restart from February 2009 but in mid 2009 the production was cancelled and the project was given over to Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Swastik Productions to start fresh.[22][16]
Development
It took us four years of research and brainstorming sessions to conceive and execute the show.
More than 400 people were involved in production with 200 people working on graphics.[24] Renowned author Devdutt Pattanaik was roped as the chief consultant and guiding person for the series.[25] Also writer Salim Khan, music directors Ajay-Atul and Ismail Darbar and action director Ram Shetty were involved.[26]
Speaking about bringing Mahabharat to television again, Star Plus senior vice-president Nikhil Madhok said, "With over 20 years having passed since the telecast of Mahabharat serial on Doordarshan, we felt that the younger generation should be re-introduced to this epic. Also, the plot of this epic is open to interpretation and has many intricacies in it, unlike that of let's say Ramayan, which is fairly linear and is passed on from generation to generation."[27]
According to producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary, the Draupadi cheer haran (disrobing) sequence, which Tewary himself directed, took 20 days to shoot.[28]
Even in the last fight between Bheema and Duryodhana, the actors shared that the scene took 3 days to shoot.[29]
Originally planned for 128 episodes, its growing popularity gave an extension for about 100 more episodes as Tewary wanted to explore the story further in January 2014.[30][31] However, it ended with 267 episodes.
Design
The set covering 10 acres of land in Umargam, Valsad, Gujarat was designed by the art director Omung Kumar.[32]
The costume designer of the series Nidhi Yasha along with her consultant Bhanu Athaiya, had referred 450 books related to period textiles, costume and jewellery.[33][34]
Different ancient techniques have been used to achieve the various looks. A lot of bright coloured silks, handlooms, gold and jewellery structured embroidery patterns have been used.
It took a study of over 450 books related to period textiles, costume and jewelry and four years of hard-work to arrive at the current look and feel of the show. An extensive study on jewelry structures according to ethnicity, fabrics, drapes and costume was undertaken.
Marketing and budget
Star spent ₹5.1 billion (US$64 million) on the project and spent another ₹410 million (US$5.1 million) on marketing the show, making it India's most expensive TV series.[37] As a part of marketing, Star constructed Mahabharat museum across malls in cities consisting selective weapons, jewellery and finery of Mahabharat along with 3D virtual tour of the sets of Hastinapur.[38] In towns the same concept was adapted with wheels-canter vans along with LED.[38]
The sets of the series at Umargam in Gujarat cost ₹100 crores and production costs of ₹13-15 Lakhs per day.[39][40]
Filming
The series was mainly shot in the sets at Umargam, Valsad in Gujarat.
Training
The actors shared that they had to go through acting workshops and various trainings for about a year where they were explained in detail what to do and how.[45][46][47] Rajit Kapur trained the actors by conducting acting workshops.[48][47][49][50][51]
Soundtrack
Mahabharat | |
---|---|
Soundtrack album by | |
Released | 4 September 2013 | (TV Series)
Recorded | 2013 |
Language | Hindi |
Label | Sangeet Music T-Series |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Hai Katha Sangram Ki (Theme Song)[1]" | 4:07 |
2. | "Ek Maa Ki Santane - Ye Kaisi Duvidha Hai (Sad - Theme)" | 3:00 |
3. | "Jagat Mein Samay Maha Balwan" | 3:33 |
4. | "Krishna Manmohana (Krishna theme song 1)" | 6:58 |
5. | "Murli Manohar Mohan Murali (Krishna theme song 2)" | 4:21 |
6. | "Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari (Krishna theme song 3)" | 3:15 |
7. | "Yada Yada Dharmasya" | 2:24 |
8. | "Gandhiv Dhaari Arjuna (Arjun's Gandiva theme song)" | 2:25 |
9. | "Paarthasya Dhananjaya" | 1:15 |
10. | "Kumari Chaapi Panchali (Draupadi theme song)" | 4:15 |
11. | "Rahega Atal Mera Mann" | 3:21 |
12. | "Arjuna Draupadi Theme" | 3:32 |
13. | "Suryadev So Gaye" | 4:56 |
14. | "Suryaputra Karna Theme" | 3:35 |
15. | "Shakuni Theme: Yukti Kapat Chhal" | 1:30 |
16. | "Abhimanyu Theme" | 3:30 |
17. | "Vande Dronacharya" | 1:05 |
18. | "Bhishma Theme" | 1:28 |
19. | "Parshuram Theme" | 1:20 |
20. | "Yeh Dharma Yudh Hai" | 1:00 |
21. | "Yudh Yeh Vinash Hai" | 2:25 |
Reception
Critics response
Writing for Rediff, Nishi Tiwari wrote that "If it maintains the quality of writing and able actors who portray key characters, we may have another winner among us".[52] DNA India praised the costumes, scenery, Krishna's flute theme which was given by Raj Mohan Sinha,[53] and most of the CGI special effects, but said the serial's pace was too fast.[54]
Hindustan Times criticised, "Everything is so exaggerated that you feel you are watching a series of unreal events rather than following a deeply emotional story. Even relatively less important moments are treated with such overblown drama that when you really need the drama at crucial junctures — such as Bheeshma’s brahmacharya pledge — the impact is lost." The background music was also criticised for being loud all the time.[55]
Viewership in India
Its premiere had a viewership of approximately 8.4 million impressions (8.445 TVTs - Television Viewership in Thousands) and 4.09 TVR.[56][57] That week it averaged 6.356 TVTs.[58] The viewership ratings of the week of 1 December 2013 reached 9.801 TVTs. The game of dice leading to Draupadi's 'cheer haran' took Mahabharat at its peak viewership (10 TVMs) and helped the broadcasting channel Star Plus clock one of the highest GTVMs.[59] Overall, it became the tenth most watched Hindi GEC of 2013 with an average viewership of 5.6 million and a peak viewership of 7.2 million.[60]
In week 29 of 2014, it was at fifth position with 7.1 TVTs while the following week it jumped to second position with 9.2 TVTs.[61]
The show was listed in the list of top 20 TV series of all time in 2016.[62]
During the
Impact
This series is regarded as the costliest show ever launched by StarPlus and one of the costliest Indian television series, being the first Indian television show to be made on a budget more than ₹100 crores.[66][67][68]
In 2014, the cast of Mahabharat were invited to hold a fan meeting tour at Jakarta and Bali. The Times of India reported that the show has a huge fan following abroad and as result, the prominent characters from the show had been called to Indonesia for a special event.[69][70][71] The main casts of Mahabharat, performed on "Mahabharat Show: Fan Meeting Tour" in the year 2014 .[72][73][74][75][76]
In June 2020,
Awards and nominations
It won the trophy for the Best Drama in Star Guild Awards 2013 as well as number of accolades in other award shows.
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Star Guild Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | Sidharth Kumar Tewary | Won | |
Best Mythological Series | Swasthik Picture | Won | |||
Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Visual Effects | Swasthik Picture | Won | ||
Best Actor - Popular
|
Shaheer Sheikh | Nominated | |||
Best Historical/Mythological Serial
|
Mahabharat | Won | |||
Indian Telly Award
|
Best Actor in a Lead Role | Saurabh Raj Jain
|
Nominated | [80] | |
Shaheer Sheikh | Nominated | ||||
Best Actress in a Lead Role | Pooja Sharma | Nominated | |||
Best Actor in a Negative Role | Praneet Bhat | Won | |||
Arpit Ranka | Nominated | ||||
Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Shafaq Naaz | Nominated | |||
Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Aham Sharma | Won | |||
Aarav Chowdhary
|
Nominated | ||||
Rohit Bhardwaj | Nominated | ||||
Best Costumes for a TV Program | Bhanu Athaiya | Won | |||
Best Makeup Artist | G. A. Jamesh | Won | |||
Best Ensemble | Sidharth Kumar Tewary | Won | |||
Best Stylist | Shweta Korde | Won | |||
Gold Awards | Best Actor in a Lead Role | Shaheer Sheikh | Nominated |
See also
- List of programs broadcast by StarPlus
References
- ^ a b "Ajay-Atul roped in for Mahabharat". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Mahabharat Episodes". www.hotstar.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ "Parmavatar Shri Krishna to premiere soon; 5 mythological shows that redefined the genre and left us asking for more". India Today. 5 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
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{{cite news}}
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External links
- Mahabharat at IMDb
- Official Website on Hotstar