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Mahabharat (2013 TV series)

2022-12-11T07:59:28Z

2402:3A80:1642:63ED:0:46:1D5E:5301: /* Kaurava's wives */

{{short description|2013 Indian TV series based on epic Mahabharata}}
{{about|2013 television series produced by Swastik Production|the animated film|Mahabharat (2013 film)|the 1988 DD National TV series produced by B. R. Chopra|Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharata epic poem by [[Vyasa]]|Mahabharata (book)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Mahabharat
| image = Mahabharat 2013 title.jpg
| caption = Official Poster
| genre = [[History]]
| creator = [[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Mahabharata]]''|[[Vyasa]]}}
| developer =
| writer = {{plainlist|
*[[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]]
*Sharmin Joseph
*Radhika Anand
*Anand Vardhan
*Mihir Bhuta}}
| director = {{plainlist|
*Siddharth Anand Kumar
*Amarprith G
*Mukesh Kumar Singh
*Kamal Monga
*Loknath Pandey}}
| creative_director = Amol Surve
| presenter =
| starring = [[#Main|See below]]
| voices =
| narrated = [[Saurabh Raj Jain]]
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| theme_music_composer = [[Ajay Atul]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Ajay-Atul roped in for Mahabharat - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/Ajay-Atul-roped-in-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/20292630.cms|access-date=23 September 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> (''Hai katha sangram ki'')
| composer = {{plainlist|
*Jitesh Panchal
*Lenin Nandi
*Sushant Pawar
}}
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 267<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.hotstar.com/in/tv/mahabharat/435|title=Mahabharat Episodes|website=www.hotstar.com|access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref>
| executive_producer =
| producer = [[Siddharth Kumar]] Rahul Kumar Tewary
| cinematography =
| editor = Paresh Shah
| camera = [[Multi camera]]
| runtime = 22 minutes
| company = [[Swastik Productions]]
| distributor = [[Star India]]
| picture_format = {{plainlist|
*[[576i]]
*[[HDTV]] [[1080i]]
}}
| audio_format =
| first_run =
| first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|09|16|}}
| last_aired = {{End date|df=yes|2014|08|16|}}
| website = https://www.hotstar.com/tv/mahabharat/s-28
| website_title =
| production_website = http://swastikproductions.com/work-2/
| network = [[StarPlus]] (2013-2014) [[YouTube]] (2019 - 2020)
}}
'''Mahabharat''' is a 2013 [[India]]n [[drama]] television series based on the [[Indian epic poetry#Sanskrit epics|Sanskrit epic]] ''[[Mahabharata|Mahabharat]]''.<ref name="IT mythological">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parmavatar-shri-krishna-mahabharat-br-chopra-mythological-shows-that-redefined-the-genre-lifetv/1/971170.html|title=Parmavatar Shri Krishna to premiere soon; 5 mythological shows that redefined the genre and left us asking for more|date=5 June 2017|work=India Today|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> It aired from 16 September 2013 to 16 August 2014 on [[StarPlus|Star Plus]].<ref>{{cite news|author=TNN 1|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/news-and-gossip/42080486_1_mahabharat-praneet-bhatt-swastik-productions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918172305/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/news-and-gossip/42080486_1_mahabharat-praneet-bhatt-swastik-productions|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 September 2013|title=Mahabharat launced for the youth of the nation! - Times Of India|date=15 September 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=20 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-to-end-with-one-hour-special/articleshow/40120358.cms?|title=Mahabharat to end with one-hour special|website=The Times of India}}</ref> The television show was produced by [[Swastik Pictures|Swastik Productions Pvt. Ltd]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/The-Tewary-brothers-on-their-magnum-opus-Mahabharat/articleshow/22620285.cms|title=The Tewary brothers on their magnum opus Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref> The story mainly focuses on Pandavas and [[Karna]] and tells the story through their point of view.

==Summary==
The story begins with [[Bhishma]], the son of [[Shantanu]] and [[Ganga]], taking his oath of celibacy to convince [[Satyavati]] to marry his father [[Shantanu]], the king of [[Hastinapura]]. Shantanu and Satyavati marry and have 2 children - Chitrangada and [[Vichitravirya]]. Chitrangad dies and on the advice of queen Saytavati Bhisma wins the three princesses of Kashi kingdom for Vichitravirya but the eldest Princess [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]] refuses to marry him and leaves for her lover who rejects her. She blames Bhisma and vows that she will be the reason of his death. Vichitravirya died without any children, but [[Veda Vyasa]], the son of Satyavati born through occult is requested to impregnate Vichitravirya's 2 wives [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ambika|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]] the same way he was conceived. Besides the queens, Vyasa also impregnates a maid Parishrami through occult. Soon, Ambika gives birth to [[Dhritarashtra]], born blind, Ambalika gives birth to [[Pandu]], born pale and Parashrami gives birth to [[Vidura]].

=== ''25 years later'' ===
Dhritarashtra is married to [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], the princess of [[Gandhara Kingdom]]; because of her boon of bearing a hundred sons. After knowing her would-be-husband is blind Gandhari decided to blindfold herself to share her husband's pain. This angers [[Shakuni]], the brother of Gandhari, and he vows to destroy Bhishma, as it was him who had brought the proposal for Gandhari's marriage. Dhritarashtra is denied the throne for being blind, and the throne is given to Pandu. Pandu marries [[Kunti]], a princess of [[Kunti Kingdom]], and [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Madri|Madri]] of [[Madra Kingdom]]. Pandu is later cursed by Sage Kindama, that he will die if he attempts to impregnate his wives. Pandu, heartbroken, renounces the kingdom with his 2 wives. After this Dhritarashtra becomes de facto king of Hastinapur.

Kunti uses her boon, given to her by Sage [[Durvasa]], to invoke gods of her choice and obtain children from them. She begets [[Yudhishthira]] from [[Yama]] (the god of death and righteousness), [[Bhima]] from [[Vayu]] (the god of wind), [[Arjuna]] from [[Indra]] (the king of the gods). She also chants the boon for Madri, and Madri obtains twins - [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]] - from the [[Aśvins|Ashwini Kumaras]]. [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] is jealous by this development and gives birth to a lump of flesh after being pregnant for 2 years, but this is cut into 101 pieces by Veda Vyasa, and these pieces eventually transform into children - the 100 [[Kauravas]] (led by [[Duryodhana]]) and a daughter, [[Dushala]].

=== ''15 years later'' ===
Years pass, and the Kauravas grow up to be evil, led by their eldest brother [[Duryodhana]], who is highly influenced by his uncle [[Shakuni]], contrary to the [[Pandava]]s who are righteous. Pandavas return to Hastinapur with Kunti, after the death of Pandu and Madri. 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 [[Drona|Guru Dronacharya]]

=== ''12 years later'' ===
Years pass and the princes return to Hastinapur, where they are engaged in a competition of showcasing their skills. Arjuna wins the competition, but [[Karna]]i m the kinglenges Arjuna. Kunti realizes that Karna is her son whom she had obtained from [[Surya]], the Sun God, long before marriage. In the meantime, Arjuna, also befriends [[Lord Krishna]], his cousin (Lord Krishna's father was Vasudev, brother of Kunti), and King of [[Dwarka]]. The Kauravas, along with Karna attempt to kill the Pandavas using a [[Lakshagriha|palace made of wax]], but the Pandavas escape. They go into exile so all others believe them to be dead. In the process, the Pandavas encounter a demon by the name [[Hidimba]]. Bhima kills Hidimba but ends up marrying his sister, Hidimbi. The couple begets a son, [[Ghatotkacha]]. The Pandavas eventually marry [[Draupadi]], the princess of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]] and King [[Drupada]]'s daughter, born from fire, thus revealing their identity. They return to Hastinapur and justify their polyandry.

The sequence of events leads to the Kuru Kingdom being divided - The Pandavas receive a new kingdom - [[Khandavprastha]]. Arjuna destroys the Khandava. They renovate the town, and rename it as [[Indraprastha]]. The prosperity of Indraprastha angers Duryodhana. A jealous Duryodhana summons Pandavas for a dice game, where Yudhishthira loses his kingdom, brothers as well as their common wife [[Draupadi]]. Draupadi is dragged and humiliated in the court, however, Krishna saves her honour at the end.

The Pandavas and Draupadi, as a result of losing, are forced into a 12-year exile and a year of incognito, the latter phase being spent in the kingdom of King [[Virata]]. Pandavas reunite with their children- the [[Upapandavas]] (the 5 sons of Draupadi) and [[Abhimanyu]] (the son of Arjuna and Subhadra), after the exile period. Abhimanyu is married to [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttaraa]], the daughter of King Virata and Queen [[Sudeshna]].

The Pandavas' peace treaty with the Kauravas fails to materialize, thus confirming that a [[Kurukshetra War|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 of killing his own people in the process. The war begins and continues for 18 days - both sides face mass destruction. The Pandavas and Kauravas lose all of their children, in-laws, and allies, and the war officially ends after Duryodhana, the only remaining Kaurava, is killed by Bhima.

[[Ashwatthama]] (the son of [[Dronacharya]]), on seeing Duryodhana's death, gets angered and raids the Pandava camp at night, killing many soldiers in the process. [[Dhrishtadyumna]], [[Shikhandi]]ni ( eldest sister of Draupadi who helped Pandavas in killing Bhishma) and the [[Upapandavas]] are killed by Ashwatthama while they are 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 as '[[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 return to Hastinapura, where Dhritarashtra attempts to kill Bhima but ends up being unsuccessful. Gandhari curses Krishna for letting the war happen as she lost all of her sons and grandsons, so he suffers the same fate. The show ends with [[Yudhishthira]] being finally crowned by Krishna, as the king of Hastinapur.

== Cast ==
=== Main ===
* [[Saurabh Raj Jain]] as [[Krishna]]: Devaki and Vasudev's son; Yashoda and Nanda's foster son; Balram and Subhadra's brother; Kunti's nephew; Radha's lover; Rukmini, Jambavati, Satyabhama, Khalindi, Nagnajiti, Mitravinda, Lakshmana, Bhadra and 16,100 women's husband; 161,070's children father; [[Karna]] and the [[Pandava]]s’s cousin; Draupadi's friend. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to earth to protect [[dharma]].Jain also portrayed Lord Vishnu: Supreme being, God of Preservation and Protector of Dharma, Goddess Lakshmi's consort.
*
*[[Pooja Sharma (Indian actress)|Pooja Sharma]] as [[Draupadi]]: King Drupad and Kokila's fire born daughter, Shikhandini and Dhristadyumna's younger sister, Princess of [[Panchala]], Pandavas' common wife and Mother of Upapandavas, Suthanu, Samyukthana, Printha, Sumitra, Pragati and Pragya; step mother of Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach, Niramitra, Yaudheya, Suhrotra, Iravan and Babruvahan.
*
*[[Shaheer Sheikh]] as [[Arjuna]]: Third Pandava prince; a skilled archer; Indra and Kunti's son; Karna, Yudhishthir, Bheem's younger brother; Nakul and Sahadev's step elder brother; Draupadi, Uloopi, Chitrangada and Subhadra's husband and Iravan, Babruvahan, Abhimanyu, Srutakarma, Pragati and Pragya's father; Uttarā's teacher and father in law; Parikshit's grandfather.
*
*[[Aham Sharma]] as [[Karna]]: Surya and Kunti's son; Pandavas's elder brother; Adhiratha and Radha's foster son; a skilled archer, Duryodhan's friend; Padmavati, Vrushali, Supriya, Uruvi,Ponnuruvi,Varsha and Geeta's husband; [[Vrishasena]], Vrishaketu, Chitrasena, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Susharma, Sudama, Srutasena, Dvipata, Banasena, Prasena and a daughter 's father and King of [[Anga]].
*
*[[Arpit Ranka]] as [[Duryodhan]]: Eldest Kaurava, King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's first son, arrogant and hotheaded crown prince of Hastinapur, he is often manipulated by his maternal uncle Shakuni. Karna and Ashwatthama's friend. [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]]'s and [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]'s husband; [[Laxman Kumara]], [[Lakshmanaa]], Kaalketu and a daughter's father; 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 strategized 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.
*[[Saurav Gurjar]] as [[Bhima]]: Second Pandava; Vayu and Kunti's son; Karna, Yudhishthir's younger brother; Arjun's elder brother and Nakul and Sahadev's step elder brother; a tremendous mace fighter, fighter; Hidibma, Draupadi and Valandhara's husband; father of Ghatothkacha, Sutasoma, Samyukta and Sarvaga's father.
* [[Arav Chowdhary]] as [[Bhishma]]: King [[Shantanu]] and Goddess Ganga's son and Grandsire of Pandavas and Kauravas. He had taken a pledge of celibacy and was given a boon by his father to decide the timing of death. Killed by Arjuna on the 10th day.
*[[Shafaq Naaz]] as [[Kunti]]: Dowager Queen of Hastinapur, Late King Pandu's first wife. She has the power to have a child by invoking God. She is also Shurasena's daughter, Kuntibhoja's foster daughter. Pandavas mother. Karna, Yudhishthira, Bheema and Arjuna's mother and Nakul and Sahadev's step-mother. Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra's paternal aunt.
*[[Riya Deepsi]] as [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]: King Subala and Queen Sudharma's daughter; Princess of Gandhara; Shakuni's younger sister; Dhritarashtra's wife. 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 of Hastinapur. She is Kauravas and Dushala's mother. She is often unaware of her sons' plotting against Pandavas.
*[[Thakur Anoop Singh]] as [[Dhritarashtra]]: Blind King of Hastinapur. He is born from Vyasa and Ambika's [[niyoga]], 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.
*[[Rohit Bhardwaj]] as [[Yudhishthira]]: First Pandava; Dharmraj (Yamaraj) and Kunti's son; Karna's younger brother; Bheem and Arjun's elder brother; Nakul and Sahadev's step elder brother; Draupadi and Devika's husband; Prativindhya, Suthanu and Yaudheya's father. A truthful King. He ruled [[Indraprastha]] and later [[Hastinapur]].
*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]]: Dronacharaya and Kripi's son, Duryodhana's friend and Indumati's husband.
*[[Vin Rana]] as [[Nakula]]: Fourth Pandava, Madri, and Ashwini Kumar's son; Sahadev's elder brother; Kunti's foster son; Karna, Yudhishthir, Bheem and Arjun's step younger brother; Draupadi and Karenumati's husband and Satanika, Printha and Niramitra's father.
*[[Lavanya Bhardwaj]] as [[Sahadeva]]: Fifth Pandava, Madri and Ashwini Kumar's son; Nakul's younger brother; Kunti's foster son; Karna, Yudhishthir, Bheem and Arjun's step younger brother; Draupadi and Vijaya's husband, and Srutasena, Sumitra and Suhotra father. Slayer of Shakuni.
*[[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, Chandramukhi's husband, Dhrumsena and Bharat's father. Killed by Bheema on the 17th day.

===Kaurava's wives===
* Nishtha Sharma as [[Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]], wife of [[Dushasana]], daughter in law of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and mother of Drumasena and Bharata.

* [[Draft:Asha Shetty|Asha Shetty]] as [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]], [[Duryodhana]]'s fourth wife, [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]'s so called sister, fourth mother of [[Laxman Kumara]] and Lakshmanaa, Kaalketu and a daughter's mother.

* [[Prajakta Kapadia]] as [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]], beloved wife of [[Duryodhana]], so called sister of Bhanumati, first mother of [[Laxman Kumara]], Lakshmanaa, Kaalketu and a daughter's mother.

* Soni Singh as Suchita, wife of [[Duryodhana]], third so called sister of [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]], Mother of [[Laxman Kumara]], Lakshmanaa, Kaalketu and Lakshmi.

=== Supporting ===
*[[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 Shikhandini, Dhristadyumna and Draupadi's father.
*[[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.
*[[Shikha Singh]] as [[Shikhandini]]: 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
*
*Sandeep Arora as [[Vikarna]]: Third Kaurava prince, King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's third son and Duryodhan and Dushasna's younger brother, Dushyala's elder brother and Indumati's husband.
*[[Nazea Hasan Sayed]] as [[Vrushali]]: karna's Wife.
*[[Durga Kapoor]] as [[List of characters in Mahabharata|Shashwathi]], wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]].
*Ashita Naik as [[Wives of Karna|Uruvi]], [[Karna]]'s fourth wife.
*Kaushik Chakravorty as [[Shalya]]: King of [[Madra]] and Madri's elder brother.
*[[Ajay Mishra (actor)|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.
*Arun Singh Rana as [[Pandu]]: Ambalika and Vyasa's son, [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]]'s husband, father of the [[Pandavas]], the King of [[Hastinapur]].
*[[Veebha Anand]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/The-actress-will-play-in-the-epi-soon-to-be-aired-on-Star-Plus-/articleshow/22281196.cms|title=Veebha as Subhadra in Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref> as [[Subhadra]]: Vasudeva and Rohini's daughter, Balram and Krishna's younger sister, Arjun's fourth wife and love interest. Abhimanyu's mother; Parikshit's grandmother
*[[Ali Hassan (actor)|Ali Hassan]] as [[Jayadratha]]: King Brihanmanas's son and later King of Sindhu Kingdom, Dushala's husband, and Suratha's father.
**Hassan also portrayed [[Takshak]]: Nagraj and Ruler of Takshila who killed Arjuna's grandson Parikshit.
*[[Vaishnavi Dhanraj]] as [[Hidimbi|Hidimbā]]: Bheem's first wife and Ghatothkacha's mother.
*[[Ketan Karande]] as [[Ghatotkacha]]: Bheema and Himdimbā's son, who was killed by Karna.
*[[Tarun Khanna (actor)|Tarun Khanna]] as [[Balrama]]: Rohini and Vasudev's son, Subhadra's elder brother and Krishna's step elder brother.
*[[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 (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]: King Virata and Queen Sudeshna's daughter, Uttar's younger sister, Abhimanyu's wife, and Parikshit's mother.
*[[Pravisht Mishra]] as [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttar]]: Virata and Sudeshna's son and Uttara's brother. He was killed by Shalya on first day of war.

=== Minor ===
*[[Puneet Issar]] as [[Parshurama]]: The sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu and the teacher of Bhishma, Drona, and Karna
*[[Sameer Dharmadhikari]] as [[Shantanu]]: King of Hastinapur, Ganga and [[Satyavati]]'s husband and [[Bhishma]], Chitrangada and Vichtravirya's father.
*[[Vivana Singh]] as Devi [[Ganga in Hinduism|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.
*[[Ratan Rajput]] as [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]: Kashya's daughter, Ambika and Ambalika's elder sister and the Princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]]
*[[Aparna Dixit]] as [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]: Vichitravirya's first wife and Dhritarashtra's mother.
*[[Mansi Sharma]] as [[Ambalika]]: Vichitravirya's second wife and Pandu's mother.
*[[Suhani Dhanki]] as [[Madri]]: Princess of Madra and Late Pandu's second wife and Nakul and Sahadev's mother.
*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 Sukhada: Gandhari's maid and Yuyutsu's mother.
*Jayantika Sengupta as Arshi: Shakuni's wife.
*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.
*[[Ketki Kadam|Ketaki Kadam]] as [[Radha]]: Krishna's divine love.
*Hemant Choudhary as [[Kripa]]: Royal teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas.
*Chandani Sharma as [[Kripi]]: Drona's wife, Ashwathama's mother, and Kripa's twin sister.
*[[Garima Jain]] as [[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 foster mother.
*[[Pallavi Subhash]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Pallavi-Subhash-Godh-Bharai-Mahabharat-Siddharth-Tewary/articleshow/24753414.cms|title=Pallavi to play Krishna's Rukmini|website=The Times of India}}</ref> as [[Rukmini]]: Princess of Vidharbha, Rukmi's younger sister and Krishna's first wife.
*[[Neha Sargam]] as [[Satyabhama]]: Krishna's second wife
*Pallavi Mukherjee as [[Jambavati]]: Jambavan's daughter and Krishna's third wife
*[[Gurpreet Singh (actor)|Gurpreet Singh]] ad [[Rukmi]]: Prince of Vidharbha and Rukmini's brother.
*[[Akhilendra Mishra]] as [[Kamsa|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 [[Kalayavana|Kalayavan]]: A demon king who was fetched to death by Lord Krishna.
*Niel Satpuda as [[Upapandavas#Prativindhya|Prativindhya]]: Yudhishthira and Draupadi's son and the Eldest Upapandava.
*Aman Sharma as [[Upapandavas#Sutasoma|Sutasoma]]: Bheema and Draupadi's son.
*Yash Joshi as [[Upapandavas#Shrutakarma|Shrutakarma]]: Arjuna and Draupadi's son.
*Jay Joshi as [[Upapandavas#Shatanika|Shatanika]]: Nakula and Draupadi's son.
*Akshay Batchua as [[Upapandavas#Shrutasena|Shrutasena]]: Sahadeva and Draupadi's son.
*Yagya Saxena as [[Ekalavya|Eklavya]]: A devoted student of Drona who gives away his thumb as Guru Dakshina.
*[[Mohit Raina]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-mahadev-in-mahabharat-1891809|title='Mahadev' in 'Mahabharat'!|website=Daily News and Analysis|date=21 September 2013}}</ref> / Amit Mehra as [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]]: Known as the 'destroyer', a part of the Trinity;Supreme Being
*Sachin Verma / [[Nikhil Arya]] as [[Indra|Lord Indra]]: God of rain, King of the Gods and Heaven, and Bali and Arjuna's father.
*[[Sandeep Rajora]] as [[Surya|Lord Surya]]: Lord Sun and Sugriva and Karna's father.
*[[Kunal Bhatia]] as [[Agni|Lord Agni]]: God of fire. Drishtadyumna and Draupadi's father
*[[Vishal Kotian]] as [[Hanuman|Lord Hanuman]]: Rama's devotee, Vayu's son, and Bheema's elder spiritual brother.

=== Childhood roles ===
*Vidyut Xavier as adolescent [[Karna]].
*Vedant Sawant as adolescent Balarama.
*Kunwar Vikram Soni as young [[Krishna|Shri Krishna]].
*Rohit Shetty as young [[Yudhishthira]].
*Miraj Joshi as young [[Bhima]].
*Soumya Singh as young [[Arjuna]].
*Devish Ahuja as young [[Nakula]].
*Rudraksh Jaiswal as young [[Sahadeva]].
*[[Alam Khan (actor)|Alam Khan]] as young [[Duryodhana]].
*
*[[Ashnoor Kaur]] as young [[Dushala]].
*Aayush Shah<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/aayush-shah-the-best-part-of-mahabharat-is-that-it-stays-relevant-across-eras-and-is-timeless/articleshow/74972478.cms|title=Aayush Shah: The best part of 'Mahabharat' is that it stays relevant across eras and is timeless|website=The Times of India}}</ref> as young [[Ashwatthama]].
*Raj Anadkat as young Vikarna (Third eldest brother among the 100 Kauravas).

==Production==
===Background===
In November 2005, a report from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' stated Bobby Bedi's plan to make three feature films and 100 hours of television programming on Indian epic [[Mahabharata|Mahabharat]] under [[Kaleidoscope Entertainment]] with the television version planned to be delivered by the end of 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=India's Kaleidescope plans Hindu conquest|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/asia/india-s-kaleidescope-plans-hindu-conquest-1117932402/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404173000/https://variety.com/2005/film/asia/india-s-kaleidescope-plans-hindu-conquest-1117932402/|archive-date=4 April 2021|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=5 November 2005}}</ref> In 2006 it was revealed making for Star Plus which was to be directed by [[Chandraprakash Dwivedi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bobby Bedi has epic plans for 'Mahabharata'|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov267.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404173231/https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov267.htm|archive-date=4 April 2021|website=Indian Television dot com|date=22 November 2006}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=An epic for an epic, on small screen - All-new Mahabharata|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/an-epic-for-an-epic-on-small-screen-all-new-mahabharata/cid/614823|website=The Telegraph (India)}}</ref> It was a part of Bedi's 360 degree approach to the epic through TV, film, gaming and theme parks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reel life success|url=https://m.businesstoday.in/story/reellife-success/1/6705.html|website=Business Today}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Shoot at site|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/Shoot-at-site/articleshow/15789523.cms?|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat, reloaded!|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-reloaded/story-OCTEntaaNERoQuiCKbV6oL.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=16 April 2010}}</ref>

During this, Ekta Kapoor was simultaneously producing a series on Mahabharat since January 2008 titled ''[[Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki|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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat at Balaji|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/mahabharat-at-balaji-/articleshow/15781260.cms|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ekta wages a channel war?|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ekta-wages-a-channel-war-1156534|website=Daily News and Analysis|date=17 March 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=No more pressure, period|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/No-more-pressure-period/articleshow/15804739.cms?|website=[[Mumbai Mirror]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=King sized move|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/King-sized-move/articleshow/15824061.cms?|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":8" /> 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.<ref name=":8" /> 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."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star takes Bobby Bedi to court over Mahabharat|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/business/star-takes-bobby-bedi-to-court-over-mahabharat/story-auOGk69pONhCMeMrwQNkbI.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=30 December 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata on TV next year|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharata-on-tv-next-year/story-OarQQQaKh6rwgrPqr9LIfM.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=26 July 2012}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

===Development===
{{blockquote|It took us four years of research and brainstorming sessions to conceive and execute the show.|[[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/359954/epic-saga-returns.html|title=Epic saga returns.|website=Deccan Herald|date=28 September 2013}}</ref>}}

More than 400 people were involved in production with 200 people working on graphics.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-in-pics-on-location-of-serial-mahabharat-4602499-PHO.html|title=In pics: On location of serial Mahabharat!|website=[[Daily Bhaskar]]}}</ref> Renowned author [[Devdutt Pattanaik]] was roped as the chief consultant and guiding person for the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Devdutt Patnaik roped for Mahabharat|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Renowned-author-Devdutt-is-all-set-to-make-his-off-screen-TV-debut-with-Mahabharat-/articleshow/22255263.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Also writer Salim Khan, music directors Ajay-Atul and Ismail Darbar and action director Ram Shetty were involved.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Plus fast forwards to the past with remake of 'Mahabharat'|url=https://www.startv.com/newsroom/star-plus-fast-forwards-to-the-past-with-remake-of-mahabharat/|website=[[Star India]]}}</ref>

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 (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]]'' serial on [[DD National|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."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131124/spectrum/main6.htm|title=Faith accompli on small screen|website=[[Tribune India]]}}</ref>

According to producer [[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]], the Draupadi cheer haran (disrobing) sequence, which Tewary himself directed, took 20 days to shoot.<ref name=ch>{{cite news|last=Kanabar|first=Ankita R.|title=The cheer haran sequence in Mahabharat took 20 days to shoot|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/the-cheer-haran-sequence-in-mahabharat-took-20-days-to-shoot/|access-date=10 April 2014|newspaper=Indian Express|date=2 April 2014}}</ref>

Even in the last fight between Bheema and Duryodhana, the actors shared that the scene took 3 days to shoot.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/c769QXMqJbI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200719083940/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c769QXMqJbI Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c769QXMqJbI&t=56s| title = BHEEM (SAURAV GURJAR) AND DURYODHAN (ARPIT RANKA) IN Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan Aaj Tak 9th August 2014 | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Originally planned for 129 episodes, its growing popularity gave an extension for about 100 more episodes as Tewary wanted to explore the story further in January 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-gets-an-extension/articleshow/29112020.cms|title='Mahabharat' gets an extension|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-extension-siddharth-tewary/articleshow/24816051.cms|title=Mahabharat's 129 episodes extended to 200|website=The Times of India}}</ref> However, it ended with 267 episodes.

===Design===
The set covering 10 acres of land in [[Umargam]], [[Valsad district|Valsad]], [[Gujarat]] was designed by the art director Omung Kumar.<ref name=":5" />

The costume designer of the series [[Nidhi Yasha]] along with her consultant [[Bhanu Athaiya]], had referred 450 books related to period textiles, costume and jewelry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Nidhi-Yasha-to-style-design-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/19815954.cms|title=Nidhi Yasha to style & design for Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Bhanu-Athaiya-designs-the-look-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/22228814.cms|title=Bhanu Athaiya designs the look for Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

{{blockquote|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.|[[Bhanu Athaiya]]<ref name=":costumedesign">{{Cite web|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharata-will-revive-indian-handicrafts-bhanu-athaiya/story-IVaYibOI6bd6r9iefFuOhO.html|title=Mahabharata will revive Indian handicrafts: Bhanu Athaiya|website=Hindustan Times|date=3 September 2013}}</ref>|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|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. |[[Nidhi Yasha]]<ref name=":costume design">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/bhanu-athaiya-designs-the-look-for-mahabharat/articleshow/22228814.cms|title=Bhanu Athaiya designs the look for Mahabharat|website=www.indiatimes.com|access-date=26 October 2021|date=2 September 2013}}</ref>|title=|source=}}

===Marketing and budget===
Star spent {{INRConvert|5.1|b}} on the project and spent another {{INRConvert|410|m}} on marketing the show, making it India's most expensive TV series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tv-broadcasters-mahabharat-rs-100-crore-small-screen-september-16/1/309404.html|title=Broadcasters betting big money on the small screen with Rs. 100 crore shows|author=Ajita Shashidhar|publisher=India Today|access-date=12 September 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/management/star-plus-uses-technology-to-market-epic-to-the-youth-113091201224_1.html|title=STAR Plus uses technology to market epic to the youth|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=12 September 2013|last1=Malvania|first1=Urvi}}</ref> In towns the same concept was adapted with wheels-canter vans along with LED.<ref name=":6" />

The sets of the series at [[Umargam]] in [[Gujarat]] cost ₹100 crores and production costs of ₹13-15 Lakhs per day.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/bigg-boss-yudh-tv-shows-with-bumper-budgets/photostory/39752524.cms|title=Bigg Boss, Yudh: TV shows with bumper budgets|website=The Times of India|date=6 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=An epic battle|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/an-epic-battle/1160681/0|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

===Filming===
The series was mainly shot in the sets at Umargam, Valsad in Gujarat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Hastanapur-Mahabharat-Siddharth-Tewarym-Star-Plus/articleshow/22764546.cms|title=A sneak peek into the grand sets of 'Mahabharat'|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-pix-inside-the-grand-sets-of-mahabharat-tv/20130923.htm|title=PIX: Inside the GRAND Sets of Mahabharat|website=Rediff.com}}</ref> Shooting also took place in various exotic locations such as [[Jaisalmer]], [[Amer Fort|Amber Palace]] in Jaipur, [[Kashmir]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Jabalpur]] in Madhya Pradesh, [[Nepal]] and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-Amber-Palace-Shaheer-Sheikh-Pooja-Sharma-Nissar-Khan-Shafaq-Naaz/articleshow/22397172.cms|title=Epic shoot for 'Mahabharat' at Amber Palace|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-mahabharat-to-be-shot-in-kashmir-1822203|title=Mahabharat to be shot in Kashmir!|website=Daily News and Analysis|date=13 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/After-shooting-in-Rajasthan-and-Kashmir-the-team-of-TV-show-Mahabharat-headed-to-the-scenic-valleys-of-Bhedhaghat-in-Jabalpur-to-finish-the-opening-sequence-which-wrapped-up-on-Thursda/articleshow/22582749.cms|title='Mahabharat' opening sequence shot in MP|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

===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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat to End With One-Hour Special Episode|url=https://movies.ndtv.com/television/mahabharat-to-end-with-one-hour-special-episode-646408|website=[[NDTV News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2020/shaheer-sheikh-says-he-couldnt-speak-to-anyone-for-days-after-shooting-draupati-cheer-haran-scene-298082.html|title=Shaheer Sheikh Says He Couldn't Speak To Anyone For Days After Shooting Draupati's Cheer Haran Scene|date=25 April 2020|website=filmibeat.com}}</ref><ref name=":epic transition">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/epic-transition/|title=Epic transition|website=The Indian Express|date=14 March 2014}}</ref> [[Rajit Kapur]] trained the actors by conducting acting workshops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rajit-kapur-trains-mahabharat-actors/1146091/|title=Rajit Kapur trains Mahabharat actors|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref name=":epic transition"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Praneet-Bhat-Gufi-Paintal-Mahabharat-BR-Chopra/articleshow/24547716.cms|title=Like lead actors, character actors too are paid well: Praneet Bhat|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/mahabharat-actor-pooja-sharma-lessons-of-the-show-relevant-in-times-like-these-6384519|title=Pooja Sharma on her show Mahabharat|website=The Indian Express|date=29 April 2020}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/98Uy2lJvhq4 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201008141530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Uy2lJvhq4 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Uy2lJvhq4| title = Mahabharat Watch Party Part 1. | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{tracklist
| title1 = Hai Katha Sangram Ki (Theme Song)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Ajay-Atul roped in for Mahabharat - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/Ajay-Atul-roped-in-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/20292630.cms|access-date=23 September 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
| length1 = 4:07
| title2 = Ek Maa Ki Santane - Ye Kaisi Duvidha Hai (Sad - Theme)
| length2 = 3:00
| title3 = Jagat Mein Samay Maha Balwan
| length3 = 3:33
| title4 = Krishna Manmohana (Krishna theme song 1)
| length4 = 6:58
| title5 = Murli Manohar Mohan Murali (Krishna theme song 2)
| length5 = 4:21
| title6 = Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari (Krishna theme song 3)
| length6 = 3:15
| title7 = Yada Yada Dharmasya
| length7 = 2:24
| title8 = Gandhiv Dhaari Arjuna (Arjun's Gandiva theme song)
| length8 = 2:25
| title9 = Paarthasya Dhananjaya
| length9 = 1:15
| title10 = Kumari Chaapi Panchali (Draupadi theme song)
| length10 = 4:15
| title11 = Rahega Atal Mera Mann
| length11 = 3:21
| title12 = Arjuna Draupadi Theme
| length12 = 3:32
| title13 = Suryadev So Gaye
| length13 = 4:56
| title14 = Suryaputra Karna Theme
| length14 = 3:35
| title15 = Shakuni Theme: Yukti Kapat Chhal
| length15 = 1:30
| title16 = Abhimanyu Theme
| length16 = 3:30
| title17 = Vande Dronacharya
| length17 = 1:05
| title18 = Bhishma Theme
| length18 = 1:28
| title19 = Parshuram Theme
| length19 = 1:20
| title20 = Yeh Dharma Yudh Hai
| length20 = 1:00
| title21 = Yudh Yeh Vinash Hai
| length21 = 2:25
| total_length =
| all_writing =
| note1 =
}}

== Reception and impact ==
===Critics===
Writing for [[Rediff.com|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".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-mahabharat-so-far-so-good-tv/20130917.htm|title=Review: Mahabharat, so far so good|publisher=Rediff|author=Nishi Tiwari|access-date=17 September 2013}}</ref> [[Daily News and Analysis|DNA]] praised the costumes, scenery, Krishna's flute theme which was given by Raj Mohan Sinha,<ref>{{cite news|title=A young boy from Bihar.}}</ref> and most of the CGI special effects, but said the serial's pace was too fast.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-show-review-mahabharat-1895047|title=Show review: 'Mahabharat'|author=Chaya Unnikrishnan|date=28 September 2013|publisher=DNA|access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

[[Hindustan Times]] criticized, " The scale of the Mahabharat is grand and overwhelming. The characters are larger than life. Highly dramatic events take place in the epic. But at the same time, it is a nuanced look at human beings and their frailties. Everything is so exaggerated. The acting of Shaheer Sheikh is very poor and is unnecessarily screen presence is given which is not as per Vyasa. In B.R.Chopra, Arjuna's weightage was very less and looked authentic, his role was on 8th number as per BR Chopra end credits. But that was history's point of view where Karna and Yudhisthira were the protagonists, this more looks Pandava Masalabharat and just like every other soap opera. The entire series is kept alive by Aham Sharma playing the role of Karna and the show finally belongs to him. Even relatively less important moments are treated with such overblown drama," They also criticized the background music being sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/how-to-mess-up-the-world-s-greatest-story/story-m0cZW68RPjW8bzXGDtMinO.html|title=How to mess up the world's greatest story|website=Hindustan Times|date=20 September 2013}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rididng-high-on-mahabharat-ratings-star-plus-tops-the-chart/1/311901.html|title=Riding high on 'Mahabharat' ratings, Star Plus tops the chart|publisher=India Today|author=Debashish Mukerji|access-date=27 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Steady but now|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/steady-but-now/1183363/0|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> That week it averaged 6.356 TVTs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/star-plus-zooms-ahead-as-mahabharat-shows-who-s-the-big-boss-on-tv-113092800822_1.html|title=STAR Plus zooms ahead as Mahabharat shows who's the big boss on TV|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=28 September 2013|last1=Malvania|first1=Urvi}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-01/news/44596698_1_tvt-gross-viewership-gross-rating-point |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208230019/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-01/news/44596698_1_tvt-gross-viewership-gross-rating-point |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2013 |title=Rise in the ratings of TV shows this week |date=1 December 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Diya Aur Baati Hum is No 1 among top ten shows in 2013|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/diya-aur-baati-hum-is-no-1-among-top-ten-shows-in-2013-113122400767_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=25 December 2013|last1=Malvania|first1=Urvi}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TVTs for week 30, starting 23rd July- 30th July 2014|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/tvts-for-week-30-starting-23rd-july-30th-july-2014/articleshow/39416074.cms|url-status=live|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

The show was listed in the list of top 20 TV series of all time in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/shaheer-sheikhs-mahabharat-listed-among-the-20-best-tv-series-in-the-world-851074/|title=Shaheer Sheikh's Mahabharat listed among 20 best TV series of the world|date=7 December 2016|website=Bollywood Life}}</ref>

The series started re-airing on [[Star Bharat]] along with [[Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev]] and [[Siya Ke Ram]] on Sundays from 5 August 2018 to 8 December 2019.

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown in India]], it started re-airing on [[Star Plus]] from 30 March 2020 to 25 July 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=All the TV shows which have returned during lockdown |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/tv-shows-returned-to-small-screen-during-lockdown-doordarshan-zee-tv-star-plus-colors-sony-6344268/lite/ |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=7 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It soon became one of the most-watched Hindi GEC series featuring in the top five programs even during the re-run.<ref>{{Cite news|first=परमीता |last=शर्मा |date=21 March 2020|title=BARC TRP Rating: टॉप 5 शो से गायब हुआ रामायण, महाभारत और श्री कृष्णा ने बनाई अपनी जगह|url=https://www.timesnowhindi.com/amp/entertainment/television/article/barc-trp-ratings-online-report-week-19-mahabharat-shri-krishna-vishnu-puran/294492|work=Times Now|access-date=4 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Prashant |title=Supreme reign: Gods continue to top TRP charts! |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/supreme-reign-gods-continue-to-top-trp-charts/story-ieAtZv4B3vKiWPsgSI0JuN.html |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Once again it has started airing on star plus starting from 23 January 2022

===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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Classic tales a hit on TV channels; Mahabharata, Mahadev & Jodha Akbar are still crowd-pullers|url=https://m.economictimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/classic-tales-a-hit-on-tv-channels-mahabharata-mahadev-jodha-akbar-are-still-crowd-pullers/articleshow/28731990.cms|website=The Economic Times|last1=Raghavendra|first1=Nandini}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Expensive shows on Indian Television|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi//photostory/46065798.cms|website=The Times of India|date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=2013's Mahabharat was the first Indian TV show made on a budget of Rs 100 crore|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/tuesday-trivia-2013-s-mahabharat-was-the-first-indian-tv-show-made-on-a-budget-of-rs-100-crore-1684700-2020-06-02|website=India Today}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indonesia calling for Mahabharat!|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Indonesia-calling-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/45409112.cms|access-date=4 February 2015|agency=Times of India|issue=8 December 2014|publisher=Times of India}}</ref> The main casts of ''Mahabharat'', performed on "Mahabharat Show: Fan Meeting Tour" in the year 2014 .<ref>{{cite news|title=Mahabharat's Shaheer Sheikh, Aham Sharma & Rohit Bhardwaj woo their fans in Indonesia!|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/tvtags/shaheer-sheikh/mahabharats-shaheer-sheikh-aham-sharma-rohit-bhardwaj-woo-their-fans-indonesia#4|access-date=30 September 2014|publisher=Pink Villa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Look what 'Mahabharat' Stars are busy doing in Indonesia!|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/tvtags/mahabharat/look-what-mahabharat-stars-are-busy-doing-indonesia-view-pics#5|access-date=1 October 2014|publisher=Pink Villa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=In Pics: Team 'Mahabharat' works hard in Jakarta and parties harder in Bali!|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/tvtags/mahabharat/pics-team-mahabharat-works-hard-jakarta-and-parties-harder-bali#2|access-date=8 October 2014|publisher=Pink Villa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2014/10/02/pemain-mahabharata-show-memakai-bahasa-inggris-india-dan-indonesia |title= Casts of Mahabharat will be performing using English, Hindi and Indonesian Languages |work=tribunnews |date=2 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/images/seleb/view/1354511/mahabharata-show#img |title=Mahabharat Show |work=tribunnews |date=3 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2014/10/01/bintang-bintang-mahabharata-dari-india-pentas-di-jakarta-adu-akting-dengan-jupe |title=Stars of Mahabharat will perform at Jakarta | work=tribunnews |date=1 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2014/10/04/warga-bali-berburu-tiket-jumpa-artis-mahabharata |title=Residents of Bali bought tickets for Fans Meeting of the casts of Mahabharat |work=tribunnews |date=4 October 2014}}</ref>

In June 2020, [[Karnataka]] Chief Minister [[B. S. Yediyurappa|Yediyurappa]] then, on watching the Kannada dubbed version appreciated the series and stated that the character Krishna played by [[Saurabh Raj Jain]] impressed him and also stated that just like every Mahabharata, this series too belongs to Karna played by [[Aham Sharma]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa watches Mahabharata, the picture goes viral|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/karnataka-cm-b-s-yediyurappa-watches-mahabharata-picture-goes-viral/articleshow/76458190.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

==Adaptations==
It has been dubbed and aired in other Indian languages including [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[Kannada language|Kannada]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Jalsha to retelecast Mahabharat during lockdown|url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/entertainment/star-jalsha-to-telecast-pooja-sharma-saurabh-jain-starrer-mahabharat-during-lockdown-206893/|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Now 'Mahabharat' on Star Pravah|url=https://www.startv.com/newsroom/now-mahabharat-on-star-pravah/|website=[[Star India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharath in Malayalam on Hotstar|url=https://www.hotstar.com/us/tv/mahabharath/s-121|website=Hotstar}}</ref><ref name=TOI6Dec2014>{{cite news|author=Janani Karthik|title=Mahabharatham is back on Vijay TV - The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/Mahabharatham-is-back-on-Vijay-TV/articleshow/45385164.cms|date=6 December 2014|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata to be aired on television from May 11|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/mahabharata-to-be-aired-on-television-from-may-11/articleshow/75556623.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Iconic mythological series 'Mahabharatam' to be re-telecast from April 20|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/iconic-mythological-series-mahabharatam-to-be-re-telecast-from-april-20/articleshow/75195711.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

==International broadcasts==
In [[Indonesia]], the drama was broadcast on [[antv]] dubbed in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Mahabharat takes Indonesia by storm|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/mahabharat-takes-indonesia-by-storm-114121800426_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=20 December 2014|last1=Aiyar|first1=Pallavi}}</ref> In 2015, the show aired in its original version and subtitled in English on [[MBC Digital 4 (Mauritius)|MBC Digital 4]] every Sunday in [[Mauritius]]. In [[Thailand]], the drama was broadcast on [[Channel 5 (Thailand)|Channel 5]] dubbed in [[Thai language|Thai]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://app.tv5.co.th/vod/%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2-%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B0/|title=ซีรีย์อินเดีย มหาภารตะ| date=2 January 2016|work=Channel 5|access-date=11 May 2016|language=th}}</ref> In [[Myanmar]], it has been dubbed in Burma as မဟာဘာရတ and telecasted everyday on [[Sky Net]] World Drama Channel. {{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} In [[Sri Lanka]], it has been dubbed in [[Sinhala language|Sinhalese]] as ''මහාභාරත්'' and telecasted on [[Swarnavahini]].

== 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/Reality-shows-see-a-drop-in-ratings-this-week/articleshow/27026849.cms |title=Reality shows see a drop in ratings this week - Times Of India |publisher=Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=8 December 2013 |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> Show won [[ITA Award for Best Historical/Mythological Serial|Best Historical/Mythological serial]] award in [[Indian Television Academy Awards]]. It won the [[Indian Telly Awards]] for ''Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama)'', given to [[Aham Sharma]] for his portrayal as [[Karna]], and ''Actor in a Negative Role'' to [[Praneet Bhat]] in 2014. The crew members also won the awards for ''Best Costumes for a TV Programme'', ''Best Make – Up Artist'', and ''Best Stylist''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/13th-indian-telly-awards-complete-list-of-winners-141018|title=13th Indian Telly Awards: Complete List of Winners| publisher=Times of India |date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Recipient
!Result
!Ref(s)
|-
| rowspan="24" |2014
|rowspan="2"|[[Producers Guild Film Awards|Star Guild Awards]]
|Best Ensemble Cast
|Sidharth Kumar Tewary
|{{won}}
|
|-
|Best Mythological Series
|[[Swastik Productions|Swasthik Picture]]
|{{won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Indian Television Academy Awards]]
|Best Visual Effects
|Swasthik Picture
|{{won}}
|
|-
|[[ITA Award for Best Actor Popular|Best Actor - Popular]]
|[[Shaheer Sheikh]]
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[ITA Award for Best Historical/Mythological Serial|Best Historical/Mythological Serial]]
|'' Mahabharat''
|{{won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="13" |[[Indian Telly Award]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role]]
|[[Saurabh Raj Jain]]
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="13" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 September 2015|title=Indian Telly Awards 2014 {{!}} Nominees|url=http://tellyawards.indiantelevision.com/tellyawards/nominees/winners|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914102910/http://tellyawards.indiantelevision.com/tellyawards/nominees/winners|archive-date=14 September 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Shaheer Sheikh]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role]]
|[[Pooja Sharma (Indian actress)|Pooja Sharma]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role|Best Actor in a Negative Role]]
|[[Praneet Bhat]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Arpit Ranka]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Indian Telly Awards|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
|[[Shafaq Naaz]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Actor in a Supporting Role]]
|[[Aham Sharma]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Aarav Chowdhary]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Rohit Bhardwaj]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|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]]
|[[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role]]
|[[Shaheer Sheikh]]
|{{nom}}
|
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|3212600}}
*[http://www.hotstar.com/tv/mahabharat/435 Official Website] on [[Hotstar]]

{{Star Plus Shows}}
{{Works based on the Mahabharata |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:StarPlus original programming]]
[[Category:2013 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:2014 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:Television series based on Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Television shows based on poems]]

Mahabharat (2013 TV series)

2022-12-11T07:55:17Z

2402:3A80:1642:63ED:0:46:1D5E:5301: /* Supporting */

{{short description|2013 Indian TV series based on epic Mahabharata}}
{{about|2013 television series produced by Swastik Production|the animated film|Mahabharat (2013 film)|the 1988 DD National TV series produced by B. R. Chopra|Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharata epic poem by [[Vyasa]]|Mahabharata (book)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Mahabharat
| image = Mahabharat 2013 title.jpg
| caption = Official Poster
| genre = [[History]]
| creator = [[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Mahabharata]]''|[[Vyasa]]}}
| developer =
| writer = {{plainlist|
*[[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]]
*Sharmin Joseph
*Radhika Anand
*Anand Vardhan
*Mihir Bhuta}}
| director = {{plainlist|
*Siddharth Anand Kumar
*Amarprith G
*Mukesh Kumar Singh
*Kamal Monga
*Loknath Pandey}}
| creative_director = Amol Surve
| presenter =
| starring = [[#Main|See below]]
| voices =
| narrated = [[Saurabh Raj Jain]]
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| theme_music_composer = [[Ajay Atul]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Ajay-Atul roped in for Mahabharat - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/Ajay-Atul-roped-in-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/20292630.cms|access-date=23 September 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> (''Hai katha sangram ki'')
| composer = {{plainlist|
*Jitesh Panchal
*Lenin Nandi
*Sushant Pawar
}}
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 267<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.hotstar.com/in/tv/mahabharat/435|title=Mahabharat Episodes|website=www.hotstar.com|access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref>
| executive_producer =
| producer = [[Siddharth Kumar]] Rahul Kumar Tewary
| cinematography =
| editor = Paresh Shah
| camera = [[Multi camera]]
| runtime = 22 minutes
| company = [[Swastik Productions]]
| distributor = [[Star India]]
| picture_format = {{plainlist|
*[[576i]]
*[[HDTV]] [[1080i]]
}}
| audio_format =
| first_run =
| first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|09|16|}}
| last_aired = {{End date|df=yes|2014|08|16|}}
| website = https://www.hotstar.com/tv/mahabharat/s-28
| website_title =
| production_website = http://swastikproductions.com/work-2/
| network = [[StarPlus]] (2013-2014) [[YouTube]] (2019 - 2020)
}}
'''Mahabharat''' is a 2013 [[India]]n [[drama]] television series based on the [[Indian epic poetry#Sanskrit epics|Sanskrit epic]] ''[[Mahabharata|Mahabharat]]''.<ref name="IT mythological">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parmavatar-shri-krishna-mahabharat-br-chopra-mythological-shows-that-redefined-the-genre-lifetv/1/971170.html|title=Parmavatar Shri Krishna to premiere soon; 5 mythological shows that redefined the genre and left us asking for more|date=5 June 2017|work=India Today|access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref> It aired from 16 September 2013 to 16 August 2014 on [[StarPlus|Star Plus]].<ref>{{cite news|author=TNN 1|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/news-and-gossip/42080486_1_mahabharat-praneet-bhatt-swastik-productions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918172305/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-15/news-and-gossip/42080486_1_mahabharat-praneet-bhatt-swastik-productions|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 September 2013|title=Mahabharat launced for the youth of the nation! - Times Of India|date=15 September 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=20 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-to-end-with-one-hour-special/articleshow/40120358.cms?|title=Mahabharat to end with one-hour special|website=The Times of India}}</ref> The television show was produced by [[Swastik Pictures|Swastik Productions Pvt. Ltd]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/The-Tewary-brothers-on-their-magnum-opus-Mahabharat/articleshow/22620285.cms|title=The Tewary brothers on their magnum opus Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref> The story mainly focuses on Pandavas and [[Karna]] and tells the story through their point of view.

==Summary==
The story begins with [[Bhishma]], the son of [[Shantanu]] and [[Ganga]], taking his oath of celibacy to convince [[Satyavati]] to marry his father [[Shantanu]], the king of [[Hastinapura]]. Shantanu and Satyavati marry and have 2 children - Chitrangada and [[Vichitravirya]]. Chitrangad dies and on the advice of queen Saytavati Bhisma wins the three princesses of Kashi kingdom for Vichitravirya but the eldest Princess [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]] refuses to marry him and leaves for her lover who rejects her. She blames Bhisma and vows that she will be the reason of his death. Vichitravirya died without any children, but [[Veda Vyasa]], the son of Satyavati born through occult is requested to impregnate Vichitravirya's 2 wives [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ambika|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]] the same way he was conceived. Besides the queens, Vyasa also impregnates a maid Parishrami through occult. Soon, Ambika gives birth to [[Dhritarashtra]], born blind, Ambalika gives birth to [[Pandu]], born pale and Parashrami gives birth to [[Vidura]].

=== ''25 years later'' ===
Dhritarashtra is married to [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], the princess of [[Gandhara Kingdom]]; because of her boon of bearing a hundred sons. After knowing her would-be-husband is blind Gandhari decided to blindfold herself to share her husband's pain. This angers [[Shakuni]], the brother of Gandhari, and he vows to destroy Bhishma, as it was him who had brought the proposal for Gandhari's marriage. Dhritarashtra is denied the throne for being blind, and the throne is given to Pandu. Pandu marries [[Kunti]], a princess of [[Kunti Kingdom]], and [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Madri|Madri]] of [[Madra Kingdom]]. Pandu is later cursed by Sage Kindama, that he will die if he attempts to impregnate his wives. Pandu, heartbroken, renounces the kingdom with his 2 wives. After this Dhritarashtra becomes de facto king of Hastinapur.

Kunti uses her boon, given to her by Sage [[Durvasa]], to invoke gods of her choice and obtain children from them. She begets [[Yudhishthira]] from [[Yama]] (the god of death and righteousness), [[Bhima]] from [[Vayu]] (the god of wind), [[Arjuna]] from [[Indra]] (the king of the gods). She also chants the boon for Madri, and Madri obtains twins - [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]] - from the [[Aśvins|Ashwini Kumaras]]. [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] is jealous by this development and gives birth to a lump of flesh after being pregnant for 2 years, but this is cut into 101 pieces by Veda Vyasa, and these pieces eventually transform into children - the 100 [[Kauravas]] (led by [[Duryodhana]]) and a daughter, [[Dushala]].

=== ''15 years later'' ===
Years pass, and the Kauravas grow up to be evil, led by their eldest brother [[Duryodhana]], who is highly influenced by his uncle [[Shakuni]], contrary to the [[Pandava]]s who are righteous. Pandavas return to Hastinapur with Kunti, after the death of Pandu and Madri. 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 [[Drona|Guru Dronacharya]]

=== ''12 years later'' ===
Years pass and the princes return to Hastinapur, where they are engaged in a competition of showcasing their skills. Arjuna wins the competition, but [[Karna]]i m the kinglenges Arjuna. Kunti realizes that Karna is her son whom she had obtained from [[Surya]], the Sun God, long before marriage. In the meantime, Arjuna, also befriends [[Lord Krishna]], his cousin (Lord Krishna's father was Vasudev, brother of Kunti), and King of [[Dwarka]]. The Kauravas, along with Karna attempt to kill the Pandavas using a [[Lakshagriha|palace made of wax]], but the Pandavas escape. They go into exile so all others believe them to be dead. In the process, the Pandavas encounter a demon by the name [[Hidimba]]. Bhima kills Hidimba but ends up marrying his sister, Hidimbi. The couple begets a son, [[Ghatotkacha]]. The Pandavas eventually marry [[Draupadi]], the princess of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]] and King [[Drupada]]'s daughter, born from fire, thus revealing their identity. They return to Hastinapur and justify their polyandry.

The sequence of events leads to the Kuru Kingdom being divided - The Pandavas receive a new kingdom - [[Khandavprastha]]. Arjuna destroys the Khandava. They renovate the town, and rename it as [[Indraprastha]]. The prosperity of Indraprastha angers Duryodhana. A jealous Duryodhana summons Pandavas for a dice game, where Yudhishthira loses his kingdom, brothers as well as their common wife [[Draupadi]]. Draupadi is dragged and humiliated in the court, however, Krishna saves her honour at the end.

The Pandavas and Draupadi, as a result of losing, are forced into a 12-year exile and a year of incognito, the latter phase being spent in the kingdom of King [[Virata]]. Pandavas reunite with their children- the [[Upapandavas]] (the 5 sons of Draupadi) and [[Abhimanyu]] (the son of Arjuna and Subhadra), after the exile period. Abhimanyu is married to [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttaraa]], the daughter of King Virata and Queen [[Sudeshna]].

The Pandavas' peace treaty with the Kauravas fails to materialize, thus confirming that a [[Kurukshetra War|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 of killing his own people in the process. The war begins and continues for 18 days - both sides face mass destruction. The Pandavas and Kauravas lose all of their children, in-laws, and allies, and the war officially ends after Duryodhana, the only remaining Kaurava, is killed by Bhima.

[[Ashwatthama]] (the son of [[Dronacharya]]), on seeing Duryodhana's death, gets angered and raids the Pandava camp at night, killing many soldiers in the process. [[Dhrishtadyumna]], [[Shikhandi]]ni ( eldest sister of Draupadi who helped Pandavas in killing Bhishma) and the [[Upapandavas]] are killed by Ashwatthama while they are 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 as '[[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 return to Hastinapura, where Dhritarashtra attempts to kill Bhima but ends up being unsuccessful. Gandhari curses Krishna for letting the war happen as she lost all of her sons and grandsons, so he suffers the same fate. The show ends with [[Yudhishthira]] being finally crowned by Krishna, as the king of Hastinapur.

== Cast ==
=== Main ===
* [[Saurabh Raj Jain]] as [[Krishna]]: Devaki and Vasudev's son; Yashoda and Nanda's foster son; Balram and Subhadra's brother; Kunti's nephew; Radha's lover; Rukmini, Jambavati, Satyabhama, Khalindi, Nagnajiti, Mitravinda, Lakshmana, Bhadra and 16,100 women's husband; 161,070's children father; [[Karna]] and the [[Pandava]]s’s cousin; Draupadi's friend. He is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to earth to protect [[dharma]].Jain also portrayed Lord Vishnu: Supreme being, God of Preservation and Protector of Dharma, Goddess Lakshmi's consort.
*
*[[Pooja Sharma (Indian actress)|Pooja Sharma]] as [[Draupadi]]: King Drupad and Kokila's fire born daughter, Shikhandini and Dhristadyumna's younger sister, Princess of [[Panchala]], Pandavas' common wife and Mother of Upapandavas, Suthanu, Samyukthana, Printha, Sumitra, Pragati and Pragya; step mother of Abhimanyu, Ghatotkach, Niramitra, Yaudheya, Suhrotra, Iravan and Babruvahan.
*
*[[Shaheer Sheikh]] as [[Arjuna]]: Third Pandava prince; a skilled archer; Indra and Kunti's son; Karna, Yudhishthir, Bheem's younger brother; Nakul and Sahadev's step elder brother; Draupadi, Uloopi, Chitrangada and Subhadra's husband and Iravan, Babruvahan, Abhimanyu, Srutakarma, Pragati and Pragya's father; Uttarā's teacher and father in law; Parikshit's grandfather.
*
*[[Aham Sharma]] as [[Karna]]: Surya and Kunti's son; Pandavas's elder brother; Adhiratha and Radha's foster son; a skilled archer, Duryodhan's friend; Padmavati, Vrushali, Supriya, Uruvi,Ponnuruvi,Varsha and Geeta's husband; [[Vrishasena]], Vrishaketu, Chitrasena, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Susharma, Sudama, Srutasena, Dvipata, Banasena, Prasena and a daughter 's father and King of [[Anga]].
*
*[[Arpit Ranka]] as [[Duryodhan]]: Eldest Kaurava, King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's first son, arrogant and hotheaded crown prince of Hastinapur, he is often manipulated by his maternal uncle Shakuni. Karna and Ashwatthama's friend. [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]]'s and [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]'s husband; [[Laxman Kumara]], [[Lakshmanaa]], Kaalketu and a daughter's father; 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 strategized 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.
*[[Saurav Gurjar]] as [[Bhima]]: Second Pandava; Vayu and Kunti's son; Karna, Yudhishthir's younger brother; Arjun's elder brother and Nakul and Sahadev's step elder brother; a tremendous mace fighter, fighter; Hidibma, Draupadi and Valandhara's husband; father of Ghatothkacha, Sutasoma, Samyukta and Sarvaga's father.
* [[Arav Chowdhary]] as [[Bhishma]]: King [[Shantanu]] and Goddess Ganga's son and Grandsire of Pandavas and Kauravas. He had taken a pledge of celibacy and was given a boon by his father to decide the timing of death. Killed by Arjuna on the 10th day.
*[[Shafaq Naaz]] as [[Kunti]]: Dowager Queen of Hastinapur, Late King Pandu's first wife. She has the power to have a child by invoking God. She is also Shurasena's daughter, Kuntibhoja's foster daughter. Pandavas mother. Karna, Yudhishthira, Bheema and Arjuna's mother and Nakul and Sahadev's step-mother. Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra's paternal aunt.
*[[Riya Deepsi]] as [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]: King Subala and Queen Sudharma's daughter; Princess of Gandhara; Shakuni's younger sister; Dhritarashtra's wife. 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 of Hastinapur. She is Kauravas and Dushala's mother. She is often unaware of her sons' plotting against Pandavas.
*[[Thakur Anoop Singh]] as [[Dhritarashtra]]: Blind King of Hastinapur. He is born from Vyasa and Ambika's [[niyoga]], 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.
*[[Rohit Bhardwaj]] as [[Yudhishthira]]: First Pandava; Dharmraj (Yamaraj) and Kunti's son; Karna's younger brother; Bheem and Arjun's elder brother; Nakul and Sahadev's step elder brother; Draupadi and Devika's husband; Prativindhya, Suthanu and Yaudheya's father. A truthful King. He ruled [[Indraprastha]] and later [[Hastinapur]].
*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]]: Dronacharaya and Kripi's son, Duryodhana's friend and Indumati's husband.
*[[Vin Rana]] as [[Nakula]]: Fourth Pandava, Madri, and Ashwini Kumar's son; Sahadev's elder brother; Kunti's foster son; Karna, Yudhishthir, Bheem and Arjun's step younger brother; Draupadi and Karenumati's husband and Satanika, Printha and Niramitra's father.
*[[Lavanya Bhardwaj]] as [[Sahadeva]]: Fifth Pandava, Madri and Ashwini Kumar's son; Nakul's younger brother; Kunti's foster son; Karna, Yudhishthir, Bheem and Arjun's step younger brother; Draupadi and Vijaya's husband, and Srutasena, Sumitra and Suhotra father. Slayer of Shakuni.
*[[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, Chandramukhi's husband, Dhrumsena and Bharat's father. Killed by Bheema on the 17th day.

===Kaurava's wives===
* Nishtha Sharma as [[Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]], wife of [[Dushasana]], daughter in law of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and mother of Drumasena and Bharata.

* [[Draft:Asha Shetty|Asha Shetty]] as [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]], [[Duryodhana]]'s fourth wife, [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]'s so called sister, fourth mother of [[Laxman Kumara]] and Lakshmanaa, Kaalketu and a daughter's mother.

* [[Prajakta Kapadia]] as [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]], beloved wife of [[Duryodhana]], so called sister of Bhanumati, first mother of [[Laxman Kumara]], Lakshmanaa, Kaalketu and a daughter's mother.

=== Supporting ===
*[[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 Shikhandini, Dhristadyumna and Draupadi's father.
*[[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.
*[[Shikha Singh]] as [[Shikhandini]]: 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
*
*Sandeep Arora as [[Vikarna]]: Third Kaurava prince, King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari's third son and Duryodhan and Dushasna's younger brother, Dushyala's elder brother and Indumati's husband.
*[[Nazea Hasan Sayed]] as [[Vrushali]]: karna's Wife.
*[[Durga Kapoor]] as [[List of characters in Mahabharata|Shashwathi]], wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]].
*Ashita Naik as [[Wives of Karna|Uruvi]], [[Karna]]'s fourth wife.
*Kaushik Chakravorty as [[Shalya]]: King of [[Madra]] and Madri's elder brother.
*[[Ajay Mishra (actor)|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.
*Arun Singh Rana as [[Pandu]]: Ambalika and Vyasa's son, [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]]'s husband, father of the [[Pandavas]], the King of [[Hastinapur]].
*[[Veebha Anand]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/The-actress-will-play-in-the-epi-soon-to-be-aired-on-Star-Plus-/articleshow/22281196.cms|title=Veebha as Subhadra in Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref> as [[Subhadra]]: Vasudeva and Rohini's daughter, Balram and Krishna's younger sister, Arjun's fourth wife and love interest. Abhimanyu's mother; Parikshit's grandmother
*[[Ali Hassan (actor)|Ali Hassan]] as [[Jayadratha]]: King Brihanmanas's son and later King of Sindhu Kingdom, Dushala's husband, and Suratha's father.
**Hassan also portrayed [[Takshak]]: Nagraj and Ruler of Takshila who killed Arjuna's grandson Parikshit.
*[[Vaishnavi Dhanraj]] as [[Hidimbi|Hidimbā]]: Bheem's first wife and Ghatothkacha's mother.
*[[Ketan Karande]] as [[Ghatotkacha]]: Bheema and Himdimbā's son, who was killed by Karna.
*[[Tarun Khanna (actor)|Tarun Khanna]] as [[Balrama]]: Rohini and Vasudev's son, Subhadra's elder brother and Krishna's step elder brother.
*[[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 (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]: King Virata and Queen Sudeshna's daughter, Uttar's younger sister, Abhimanyu's wife, and Parikshit's mother.
*[[Pravisht Mishra]] as [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttar]]: Virata and Sudeshna's son and Uttara's brother. He was killed by Shalya on first day of war.

=== Minor ===
*[[Puneet Issar]] as [[Parshurama]]: The sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu and the teacher of Bhishma, Drona, and Karna
*[[Sameer Dharmadhikari]] as [[Shantanu]]: King of Hastinapur, Ganga and [[Satyavati]]'s husband and [[Bhishma]], Chitrangada and Vichtravirya's father.
*[[Vivana Singh]] as Devi [[Ganga in Hinduism|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.
*[[Ratan Rajput]] as [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]: Kashya's daughter, Ambika and Ambalika's elder sister and the Princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]]
*[[Aparna Dixit]] as [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]: Vichitravirya's first wife and Dhritarashtra's mother.
*[[Mansi Sharma]] as [[Ambalika]]: Vichitravirya's second wife and Pandu's mother.
*[[Suhani Dhanki]] as [[Madri]]: Princess of Madra and Late Pandu's second wife and Nakul and Sahadev's mother.
*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 Sukhada: Gandhari's maid and Yuyutsu's mother.
*Jayantika Sengupta as Arshi: Shakuni's wife.
*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.
*[[Ketki Kadam|Ketaki Kadam]] as [[Radha]]: Krishna's divine love.
*Hemant Choudhary as [[Kripa]]: Royal teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas.
*Chandani Sharma as [[Kripi]]: Drona's wife, Ashwathama's mother, and Kripa's twin sister.
*[[Garima Jain]] as [[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 foster mother.
*[[Pallavi Subhash]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Pallavi-Subhash-Godh-Bharai-Mahabharat-Siddharth-Tewary/articleshow/24753414.cms|title=Pallavi to play Krishna's Rukmini|website=The Times of India}}</ref> as [[Rukmini]]: Princess of Vidharbha, Rukmi's younger sister and Krishna's first wife.
*[[Neha Sargam]] as [[Satyabhama]]: Krishna's second wife
*Pallavi Mukherjee as [[Jambavati]]: Jambavan's daughter and Krishna's third wife
*[[Gurpreet Singh (actor)|Gurpreet Singh]] ad [[Rukmi]]: Prince of Vidharbha and Rukmini's brother.
*[[Akhilendra Mishra]] as [[Kamsa|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 [[Kalayavana|Kalayavan]]: A demon king who was fetched to death by Lord Krishna.
*Niel Satpuda as [[Upapandavas#Prativindhya|Prativindhya]]: Yudhishthira and Draupadi's son and the Eldest Upapandava.
*Aman Sharma as [[Upapandavas#Sutasoma|Sutasoma]]: Bheema and Draupadi's son.
*Yash Joshi as [[Upapandavas#Shrutakarma|Shrutakarma]]: Arjuna and Draupadi's son.
*Jay Joshi as [[Upapandavas#Shatanika|Shatanika]]: Nakula and Draupadi's son.
*Akshay Batchua as [[Upapandavas#Shrutasena|Shrutasena]]: Sahadeva and Draupadi's son.
*Yagya Saxena as [[Ekalavya|Eklavya]]: A devoted student of Drona who gives away his thumb as Guru Dakshina.
*[[Mohit Raina]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-mahadev-in-mahabharat-1891809|title='Mahadev' in 'Mahabharat'!|website=Daily News and Analysis|date=21 September 2013}}</ref> / Amit Mehra as [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]]: Known as the 'destroyer', a part of the Trinity;Supreme Being
*Sachin Verma / [[Nikhil Arya]] as [[Indra|Lord Indra]]: God of rain, King of the Gods and Heaven, and Bali and Arjuna's father.
*[[Sandeep Rajora]] as [[Surya|Lord Surya]]: Lord Sun and Sugriva and Karna's father.
*[[Kunal Bhatia]] as [[Agni|Lord Agni]]: God of fire. Drishtadyumna and Draupadi's father
*[[Vishal Kotian]] as [[Hanuman|Lord Hanuman]]: Rama's devotee, Vayu's son, and Bheema's elder spiritual brother.

=== Childhood roles ===
*Vidyut Xavier as adolescent [[Karna]].
*Vedant Sawant as adolescent Balarama.
*Kunwar Vikram Soni as young [[Krishna|Shri Krishna]].
*Rohit Shetty as young [[Yudhishthira]].
*Miraj Joshi as young [[Bhima]].
*Soumya Singh as young [[Arjuna]].
*Devish Ahuja as young [[Nakula]].
*Rudraksh Jaiswal as young [[Sahadeva]].
*[[Alam Khan (actor)|Alam Khan]] as young [[Duryodhana]].
*
*[[Ashnoor Kaur]] as young [[Dushala]].
*Aayush Shah<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/aayush-shah-the-best-part-of-mahabharat-is-that-it-stays-relevant-across-eras-and-is-timeless/articleshow/74972478.cms|title=Aayush Shah: The best part of 'Mahabharat' is that it stays relevant across eras and is timeless|website=The Times of India}}</ref> as young [[Ashwatthama]].
*Raj Anadkat as young Vikarna (Third eldest brother among the 100 Kauravas).

==Production==
===Background===
In November 2005, a report from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' stated Bobby Bedi's plan to make three feature films and 100 hours of television programming on Indian epic [[Mahabharata|Mahabharat]] under [[Kaleidoscope Entertainment]] with the television version planned to be delivered by the end of 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=India's Kaleidescope plans Hindu conquest|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/asia/india-s-kaleidescope-plans-hindu-conquest-1117932402/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404173000/https://variety.com/2005/film/asia/india-s-kaleidescope-plans-hindu-conquest-1117932402/|archive-date=4 April 2021|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=5 November 2005}}</ref> In 2006 it was revealed making for Star Plus which was to be directed by [[Chandraprakash Dwivedi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bobby Bedi has epic plans for 'Mahabharata'|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov267.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404173231/https://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov267.htm|archive-date=4 April 2021|website=Indian Television dot com|date=22 November 2006}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=An epic for an epic, on small screen - All-new Mahabharata|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/an-epic-for-an-epic-on-small-screen-all-new-mahabharata/cid/614823|website=The Telegraph (India)}}</ref> It was a part of Bedi's 360 degree approach to the epic through TV, film, gaming and theme parks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reel life success|url=https://m.businesstoday.in/story/reellife-success/1/6705.html|website=Business Today}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Shoot at site|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/Shoot-at-site/articleshow/15789523.cms?|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat, reloaded!|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-reloaded/story-OCTEntaaNERoQuiCKbV6oL.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=16 April 2010}}</ref>

During this, Ekta Kapoor was simultaneously producing a series on Mahabharat since January 2008 titled ''[[Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki|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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat at Balaji|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/mahabharat-at-balaji-/articleshow/15781260.cms|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ekta wages a channel war?|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ekta-wages-a-channel-war-1156534|website=Daily News and Analysis|date=17 March 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=No more pressure, period|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/No-more-pressure-period/articleshow/15804739.cms?|website=[[Mumbai Mirror]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=King sized move|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/King-sized-move/articleshow/15824061.cms?|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":8" /> 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.<ref name=":8" /> 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."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star takes Bobby Bedi to court over Mahabharat|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/business/star-takes-bobby-bedi-to-court-over-mahabharat/story-auOGk69pONhCMeMrwQNkbI.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=30 December 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata on TV next year|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharata-on-tv-next-year/story-OarQQQaKh6rwgrPqr9LIfM.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=26 July 2012}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

===Development===
{{blockquote|It took us four years of research and brainstorming sessions to conceive and execute the show.|[[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/359954/epic-saga-returns.html|title=Epic saga returns.|website=Deccan Herald|date=28 September 2013}}</ref>}}

More than 400 people were involved in production with 200 people working on graphics.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-in-pics-on-location-of-serial-mahabharat-4602499-PHO.html|title=In pics: On location of serial Mahabharat!|website=[[Daily Bhaskar]]}}</ref> Renowned author [[Devdutt Pattanaik]] was roped as the chief consultant and guiding person for the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Devdutt Patnaik roped for Mahabharat|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Renowned-author-Devdutt-is-all-set-to-make-his-off-screen-TV-debut-with-Mahabharat-/articleshow/22255263.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Also writer Salim Khan, music directors Ajay-Atul and Ismail Darbar and action director Ram Shetty were involved.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Plus fast forwards to the past with remake of 'Mahabharat'|url=https://www.startv.com/newsroom/star-plus-fast-forwards-to-the-past-with-remake-of-mahabharat/|website=[[Star India]]}}</ref>

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 (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]]'' serial on [[DD National|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."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131124/spectrum/main6.htm|title=Faith accompli on small screen|website=[[Tribune India]]}}</ref>

According to producer [[Siddharth Kumar Tewary]], the Draupadi cheer haran (disrobing) sequence, which Tewary himself directed, took 20 days to shoot.<ref name=ch>{{cite news|last=Kanabar|first=Ankita R.|title=The cheer haran sequence in Mahabharat took 20 days to shoot|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/the-cheer-haran-sequence-in-mahabharat-took-20-days-to-shoot/|access-date=10 April 2014|newspaper=Indian Express|date=2 April 2014}}</ref>

Even in the last fight between Bheema and Duryodhana, the actors shared that the scene took 3 days to shoot.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/c769QXMqJbI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200719083940/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c769QXMqJbI Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c769QXMqJbI&t=56s| title = BHEEM (SAURAV GURJAR) AND DURYODHAN (ARPIT RANKA) IN Saas Bahu Aur Betiyan Aaj Tak 9th August 2014 | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Originally planned for 129 episodes, its growing popularity gave an extension for about 100 more episodes as Tewary wanted to explore the story further in January 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-gets-an-extension/articleshow/29112020.cms|title='Mahabharat' gets an extension|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-extension-siddharth-tewary/articleshow/24816051.cms|title=Mahabharat's 129 episodes extended to 200|website=The Times of India}}</ref> However, it ended with 267 episodes.

===Design===
The set covering 10 acres of land in [[Umargam]], [[Valsad district|Valsad]], [[Gujarat]] was designed by the art director Omung Kumar.<ref name=":5" />

The costume designer of the series [[Nidhi Yasha]] along with her consultant [[Bhanu Athaiya]], had referred 450 books related to period textiles, costume and jewelry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Nidhi-Yasha-to-style-design-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/19815954.cms|title=Nidhi Yasha to style & design for Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Bhanu-Athaiya-designs-the-look-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/22228814.cms|title=Bhanu Athaiya designs the look for Mahabharat|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

{{blockquote|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.|[[Bhanu Athaiya]]<ref name=":costumedesign">{{Cite web|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharata-will-revive-indian-handicrafts-bhanu-athaiya/story-IVaYibOI6bd6r9iefFuOhO.html|title=Mahabharata will revive Indian handicrafts: Bhanu Athaiya|website=Hindustan Times|date=3 September 2013}}</ref>|title=|source=}}

{{blockquote|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. |[[Nidhi Yasha]]<ref name=":costume design">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/bhanu-athaiya-designs-the-look-for-mahabharat/articleshow/22228814.cms|title=Bhanu Athaiya designs the look for Mahabharat|website=www.indiatimes.com|access-date=26 October 2021|date=2 September 2013}}</ref>|title=|source=}}

===Marketing and budget===
Star spent {{INRConvert|5.1|b}} on the project and spent another {{INRConvert|410|m}} on marketing the show, making it India's most expensive TV series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tv-broadcasters-mahabharat-rs-100-crore-small-screen-september-16/1/309404.html|title=Broadcasters betting big money on the small screen with Rs. 100 crore shows|author=Ajita Shashidhar|publisher=India Today|access-date=12 September 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/management/star-plus-uses-technology-to-market-epic-to-the-youth-113091201224_1.html|title=STAR Plus uses technology to market epic to the youth|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=12 September 2013|last1=Malvania|first1=Urvi}}</ref> In towns the same concept was adapted with wheels-canter vans along with LED.<ref name=":6" />

The sets of the series at [[Umargam]] in [[Gujarat]] cost ₹100 crores and production costs of ₹13-15 Lakhs per day.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/bigg-boss-yudh-tv-shows-with-bumper-budgets/photostory/39752524.cms|title=Bigg Boss, Yudh: TV shows with bumper budgets|website=The Times of India|date=6 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=An epic battle|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/an-epic-battle/1160681/0|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

===Filming===
The series was mainly shot in the sets at Umargam, Valsad in Gujarat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Hastanapur-Mahabharat-Siddharth-Tewarym-Star-Plus/articleshow/22764546.cms|title=A sneak peek into the grand sets of 'Mahabharat'|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-pix-inside-the-grand-sets-of-mahabharat-tv/20130923.htm|title=PIX: Inside the GRAND Sets of Mahabharat|website=Rediff.com}}</ref> Shooting also took place in various exotic locations such as [[Jaisalmer]], [[Amer Fort|Amber Palace]] in Jaipur, [[Kashmir]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Jabalpur]] in Madhya Pradesh, [[Nepal]] and [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Mahabharat-Amber-Palace-Shaheer-Sheikh-Pooja-Sharma-Nissar-Khan-Shafaq-Naaz/articleshow/22397172.cms|title=Epic shoot for 'Mahabharat' at Amber Palace|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-mahabharat-to-be-shot-in-kashmir-1822203|title=Mahabharat to be shot in Kashmir!|website=Daily News and Analysis|date=13 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/After-shooting-in-Rajasthan-and-Kashmir-the-team-of-TV-show-Mahabharat-headed-to-the-scenic-valleys-of-Bhedhaghat-in-Jabalpur-to-finish-the-opening-sequence-which-wrapped-up-on-Thursda/articleshow/22582749.cms|title='Mahabharat' opening sequence shot in MP|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

===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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat to End With One-Hour Special Episode|url=https://movies.ndtv.com/television/mahabharat-to-end-with-one-hour-special-episode-646408|website=[[NDTV News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2020/shaheer-sheikh-says-he-couldnt-speak-to-anyone-for-days-after-shooting-draupati-cheer-haran-scene-298082.html|title=Shaheer Sheikh Says He Couldn't Speak To Anyone For Days After Shooting Draupati's Cheer Haran Scene|date=25 April 2020|website=filmibeat.com}}</ref><ref name=":epic transition">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/epic-transition/|title=Epic transition|website=The Indian Express|date=14 March 2014}}</ref> [[Rajit Kapur]] trained the actors by conducting acting workshops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rajit-kapur-trains-mahabharat-actors/1146091/|title=Rajit Kapur trains Mahabharat actors|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref name=":epic transition"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Praneet-Bhat-Gufi-Paintal-Mahabharat-BR-Chopra/articleshow/24547716.cms|title=Like lead actors, character actors too are paid well: Praneet Bhat|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/mahabharat-actor-pooja-sharma-lessons-of-the-show-relevant-in-times-like-these-6384519|title=Pooja Sharma on her show Mahabharat|website=The Indian Express|date=29 April 2020}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/98Uy2lJvhq4 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20201008141530/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Uy2lJvhq4 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Uy2lJvhq4| title = Mahabharat Watch Party Part 1. | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{tracklist
| title1 = Hai Katha Sangram Ki (Theme Song)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Ajay-Atul roped in for Mahabharat - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/Ajay-Atul-roped-in-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/20292630.cms|access-date=23 September 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
| length1 = 4:07
| title2 = Ek Maa Ki Santane - Ye Kaisi Duvidha Hai (Sad - Theme)
| length2 = 3:00
| title3 = Jagat Mein Samay Maha Balwan
| length3 = 3:33
| title4 = Krishna Manmohana (Krishna theme song 1)
| length4 = 6:58
| title5 = Murli Manohar Mohan Murali (Krishna theme song 2)
| length5 = 4:21
| title6 = Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari (Krishna theme song 3)
| length6 = 3:15
| title7 = Yada Yada Dharmasya
| length7 = 2:24
| title8 = Gandhiv Dhaari Arjuna (Arjun's Gandiva theme song)
| length8 = 2:25
| title9 = Paarthasya Dhananjaya
| length9 = 1:15
| title10 = Kumari Chaapi Panchali (Draupadi theme song)
| length10 = 4:15
| title11 = Rahega Atal Mera Mann
| length11 = 3:21
| title12 = Arjuna Draupadi Theme
| length12 = 3:32
| title13 = Suryadev So Gaye
| length13 = 4:56
| title14 = Suryaputra Karna Theme
| length14 = 3:35
| title15 = Shakuni Theme: Yukti Kapat Chhal
| length15 = 1:30
| title16 = Abhimanyu Theme
| length16 = 3:30
| title17 = Vande Dronacharya
| length17 = 1:05
| title18 = Bhishma Theme
| length18 = 1:28
| title19 = Parshuram Theme
| length19 = 1:20
| title20 = Yeh Dharma Yudh Hai
| length20 = 1:00
| title21 = Yudh Yeh Vinash Hai
| length21 = 2:25
| total_length =
| all_writing =
| note1 =
}}

== Reception and impact ==
===Critics===
Writing for [[Rediff.com|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".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-mahabharat-so-far-so-good-tv/20130917.htm|title=Review: Mahabharat, so far so good|publisher=Rediff|author=Nishi Tiwari|access-date=17 September 2013}}</ref> [[Daily News and Analysis|DNA]] praised the costumes, scenery, Krishna's flute theme which was given by Raj Mohan Sinha,<ref>{{cite news|title=A young boy from Bihar.}}</ref> and most of the CGI special effects, but said the serial's pace was too fast.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-show-review-mahabharat-1895047|title=Show review: 'Mahabharat'|author=Chaya Unnikrishnan|date=28 September 2013|publisher=DNA|access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>

[[Hindustan Times]] criticized, " The scale of the Mahabharat is grand and overwhelming. The characters are larger than life. Highly dramatic events take place in the epic. But at the same time, it is a nuanced look at human beings and their frailties. Everything is so exaggerated. The acting of Shaheer Sheikh is very poor and is unnecessarily screen presence is given which is not as per Vyasa. In B.R.Chopra, Arjuna's weightage was very less and looked authentic, his role was on 8th number as per BR Chopra end credits. But that was history's point of view where Karna and Yudhisthira were the protagonists, this more looks Pandava Masalabharat and just like every other soap opera. The entire series is kept alive by Aham Sharma playing the role of Karna and the show finally belongs to him. Even relatively less important moments are treated with such overblown drama," They also criticized the background music being sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/how-to-mess-up-the-world-s-greatest-story/story-m0cZW68RPjW8bzXGDtMinO.html|title=How to mess up the world's greatest story|website=Hindustan Times|date=20 September 2013}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rididng-high-on-mahabharat-ratings-star-plus-tops-the-chart/1/311901.html|title=Riding high on 'Mahabharat' ratings, Star Plus tops the chart|publisher=India Today|author=Debashish Mukerji|access-date=27 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Steady but now|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/steady-but-now/1183363/0|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> That week it averaged 6.356 TVTs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/star-plus-zooms-ahead-as-mahabharat-shows-who-s-the-big-boss-on-tv-113092800822_1.html|title=STAR Plus zooms ahead as Mahabharat shows who's the big boss on TV|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=28 September 2013|last1=Malvania|first1=Urvi}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-01/news/44596698_1_tvt-gross-viewership-gross-rating-point |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208230019/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-01/news/44596698_1_tvt-gross-viewership-gross-rating-point |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2013 |title=Rise in the ratings of TV shows this week |date=1 December 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Diya Aur Baati Hum is No 1 among top ten shows in 2013|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/diya-aur-baati-hum-is-no-1-among-top-ten-shows-in-2013-113122400767_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=25 December 2013|last1=Malvania|first1=Urvi}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TVTs for week 30, starting 23rd July- 30th July 2014|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/tvts-for-week-30-starting-23rd-july-30th-july-2014/articleshow/39416074.cms|url-status=live|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

The show was listed in the list of top 20 TV series of all time in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/shaheer-sheikhs-mahabharat-listed-among-the-20-best-tv-series-in-the-world-851074/|title=Shaheer Sheikh's Mahabharat listed among 20 best TV series of the world|date=7 December 2016|website=Bollywood Life}}</ref>

The series started re-airing on [[Star Bharat]] along with [[Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev]] and [[Siya Ke Ram]] on Sundays from 5 August 2018 to 8 December 2019.

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown in India]], it started re-airing on [[Star Plus]] from 30 March 2020 to 25 July 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=All the TV shows which have returned during lockdown |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/tv-shows-returned-to-small-screen-during-lockdown-doordarshan-zee-tv-star-plus-colors-sony-6344268/lite/ |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=7 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It soon became one of the most-watched Hindi GEC series featuring in the top five programs even during the re-run.<ref>{{Cite news|first=परमीता |last=शर्मा |date=21 March 2020|title=BARC TRP Rating: टॉप 5 शो से गायब हुआ रामायण, महाभारत और श्री कृष्णा ने बनाई अपनी जगह|url=https://www.timesnowhindi.com/amp/entertainment/television/article/barc-trp-ratings-online-report-week-19-mahabharat-shri-krishna-vishnu-puran/294492|work=Times Now|access-date=4 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Prashant |title=Supreme reign: Gods continue to top TRP charts! |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/supreme-reign-gods-continue-to-top-trp-charts/story-ieAtZv4B3vKiWPsgSI0JuN.html |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Once again it has started airing on star plus starting from 23 January 2022

===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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Classic tales a hit on TV channels; Mahabharata, Mahadev & Jodha Akbar are still crowd-pullers|url=https://m.economictimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/classic-tales-a-hit-on-tv-channels-mahabharata-mahadev-jodha-akbar-are-still-crowd-pullers/articleshow/28731990.cms|website=The Economic Times|last1=Raghavendra|first1=Nandini}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Expensive shows on Indian Television|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi//photostory/46065798.cms|website=The Times of India|date=30 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=2013's Mahabharat was the first Indian TV show made on a budget of Rs 100 crore|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/tuesday-trivia-2013-s-mahabharat-was-the-first-indian-tv-show-made-on-a-budget-of-rs-100-crore-1684700-2020-06-02|website=India Today}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indonesia calling for Mahabharat!|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Indonesia-calling-for-Mahabharat/articleshow/45409112.cms|access-date=4 February 2015|agency=Times of India|issue=8 December 2014|publisher=Times of India}}</ref> The main casts of ''Mahabharat'', performed on "Mahabharat Show: Fan Meeting Tour" in the year 2014 .<ref>{{cite news|title=Mahabharat's Shaheer Sheikh, Aham Sharma & Rohit Bhardwaj woo their fans in Indonesia!|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/tvtags/shaheer-sheikh/mahabharats-shaheer-sheikh-aham-sharma-rohit-bhardwaj-woo-their-fans-indonesia#4|access-date=30 September 2014|publisher=Pink Villa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Look what 'Mahabharat' Stars are busy doing in Indonesia!|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/tvtags/mahabharat/look-what-mahabharat-stars-are-busy-doing-indonesia-view-pics#5|access-date=1 October 2014|publisher=Pink Villa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=In Pics: Team 'Mahabharat' works hard in Jakarta and parties harder in Bali!|url=http://www.pinkvilla.com/tvtags/mahabharat/pics-team-mahabharat-works-hard-jakarta-and-parties-harder-bali#2|access-date=8 October 2014|publisher=Pink Villa}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2014/10/02/pemain-mahabharata-show-memakai-bahasa-inggris-india-dan-indonesia |title= Casts of Mahabharat will be performing using English, Hindi and Indonesian Languages |work=tribunnews |date=2 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/images/seleb/view/1354511/mahabharata-show#img |title=Mahabharat Show |work=tribunnews |date=3 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2014/10/01/bintang-bintang-mahabharata-dari-india-pentas-di-jakarta-adu-akting-dengan-jupe |title=Stars of Mahabharat will perform at Jakarta | work=tribunnews |date=1 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2014/10/04/warga-bali-berburu-tiket-jumpa-artis-mahabharata |title=Residents of Bali bought tickets for Fans Meeting of the casts of Mahabharat |work=tribunnews |date=4 October 2014}}</ref>

In June 2020, [[Karnataka]] Chief Minister [[B. S. Yediyurappa|Yediyurappa]] then, on watching the Kannada dubbed version appreciated the series and stated that the character Krishna played by [[Saurabh Raj Jain]] impressed him and also stated that just like every Mahabharata, this series too belongs to Karna played by [[Aham Sharma]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa watches Mahabharata, the picture goes viral|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/karnataka-cm-b-s-yediyurappa-watches-mahabharata-picture-goes-viral/articleshow/76458190.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

==Adaptations==
It has been dubbed and aired in other Indian languages including [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[Kannada language|Kannada]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Jalsha to retelecast Mahabharat during lockdown|url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/entertainment/star-jalsha-to-telecast-pooja-sharma-saurabh-jain-starrer-mahabharat-during-lockdown-206893/|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Now 'Mahabharat' on Star Pravah|url=https://www.startv.com/newsroom/now-mahabharat-on-star-pravah/|website=[[Star India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharath in Malayalam on Hotstar|url=https://www.hotstar.com/us/tv/mahabharath/s-121|website=Hotstar}}</ref><ref name=TOI6Dec2014>{{cite news|author=Janani Karthik|title=Mahabharatham is back on Vijay TV - The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/Mahabharatham-is-back-on-Vijay-TV/articleshow/45385164.cms|date=6 December 2014|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata to be aired on television from May 11|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/mahabharata-to-be-aired-on-television-from-may-11/articleshow/75556623.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Iconic mythological series 'Mahabharatam' to be re-telecast from April 20|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/telugu/iconic-mythological-series-mahabharatam-to-be-re-telecast-from-april-20/articleshow/75195711.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

==International broadcasts==
In [[Indonesia]], the drama was broadcast on [[antv]] dubbed in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Mahabharat takes Indonesia by storm|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/mahabharat-takes-indonesia-by-storm-114121800426_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=20 December 2014|last1=Aiyar|first1=Pallavi}}</ref> In 2015, the show aired in its original version and subtitled in English on [[MBC Digital 4 (Mauritius)|MBC Digital 4]] every Sunday in [[Mauritius]]. In [[Thailand]], the drama was broadcast on [[Channel 5 (Thailand)|Channel 5]] dubbed in [[Thai language|Thai]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://app.tv5.co.th/vod/%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2-%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B0/|title=ซีรีย์อินเดีย มหาภารตะ| date=2 January 2016|work=Channel 5|access-date=11 May 2016|language=th}}</ref> In [[Myanmar]], it has been dubbed in Burma as မဟာဘာရတ and telecasted everyday on [[Sky Net]] World Drama Channel. {{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} In [[Sri Lanka]], it has been dubbed in [[Sinhala language|Sinhalese]] as ''මහාභාරත්'' and telecasted on [[Swarnavahini]].

== 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/Reality-shows-see-a-drop-in-ratings-this-week/articleshow/27026849.cms |title=Reality shows see a drop in ratings this week - Times Of India |publisher=Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=8 December 2013 |access-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> Show won [[ITA Award for Best Historical/Mythological Serial|Best Historical/Mythological serial]] award in [[Indian Television Academy Awards]]. It won the [[Indian Telly Awards]] for ''Actor in a Supporting Role (Drama)'', given to [[Aham Sharma]] for his portrayal as [[Karna]], and ''Actor in a Negative Role'' to [[Praneet Bhat]] in 2014. The crew members also won the awards for ''Best Costumes for a TV Programme'', ''Best Make – Up Artist'', and ''Best Stylist''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/13th-indian-telly-awards-complete-list-of-winners-141018|title=13th Indian Telly Awards: Complete List of Winners| publisher=Times of India |date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Recipient
!Result
!Ref(s)
|-
| rowspan="24" |2014
|rowspan="2"|[[Producers Guild Film Awards|Star Guild Awards]]
|Best Ensemble Cast
|Sidharth Kumar Tewary
|{{won}}
|
|-
|Best Mythological Series
|[[Swastik Productions|Swasthik Picture]]
|{{won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Indian Television Academy Awards]]
|Best Visual Effects
|Swasthik Picture
|{{won}}
|
|-
|[[ITA Award for Best Actor Popular|Best Actor - Popular]]
|[[Shaheer Sheikh]]
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[ITA Award for Best Historical/Mythological Serial|Best Historical/Mythological Serial]]
|'' Mahabharat''
|{{won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="13" |[[Indian Telly Award]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role]]
|[[Saurabh Raj Jain]]
|{{nom}}
| rowspan="13" |<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 September 2015|title=Indian Telly Awards 2014 {{!}} Nominees|url=http://tellyawards.indiantelevision.com/tellyawards/nominees/winners|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914102910/http://tellyawards.indiantelevision.com/tellyawards/nominees/winners|archive-date=14 September 2015}}</ref>
|-
|[[Shaheer Sheikh]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role]]
|[[Pooja Sharma (Indian actress)|Pooja Sharma]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role|Best Actor in a Negative Role]]
|[[Praneet Bhat]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Arpit Ranka]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Indian Telly Awards|Best Actress in a Supporting Role]]
|[[Shafaq Naaz]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Actor in a Supporting Role]]
|[[Aham Sharma]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Aarav Chowdhary]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Rohit Bhardwaj]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|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]]
|[[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role]]
|[[Shaheer Sheikh]]
|{{nom}}
|
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|3212600}}
*[http://www.hotstar.com/tv/mahabharat/435 Official Website] on [[Hotstar]]

{{Star Plus Shows}}
{{Works based on the Mahabharata |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:StarPlus original programming]]
[[Category:2013 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:2014 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:Television series based on Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Television shows based on poems]]

Dushasana

2022-12-11T07:48:12Z

2402:3A80:1642:63ED:0:46:1D5E:5301: Hey how dare you remove it idiot

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{short description|One of the Kauravas in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| alt = Dushasana
| image = Draupadi dragged from her chamber.jpg
| caption = Dushasana dragging Draupadi from her chamber, an early 20th illustration by [[Evelyn Paul]]
| children = [[Drumasena]]
| family = {{ubl|[[Dhritarashtra]] (father)|[[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] (mother)|[[Duryodhana]], [[Vikarna]] and 97 others brothers|[[Duhsala]] (sister)|[[Yuyutsu]] (half-brother)}}
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = [[Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]] (Chief consort) [[Draft:Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]] (second consort) Lata (Third Consort) [[Draft:Nirjara (Mahabharata)|Nirjara]] (fourth consort) Divija (fifth consort)
}}
'''Dushasana''' ({{lang-sa|दुःशासन}}, {{IAST|Duḥśāsana}}, {{lit|hard to rule}}), also spelled as '''Dussasana''' and '''Duhsasana''', is an antagonist of the [[Hindu epic]], ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was one of the [[Kaurava]] princes and the younger brother of [[Duryodhana]].

==Etymology==

The name is often derived from two elements, the Sanskrit: duh "hard" and sasana, meaning "rule". So the word ''Duhshasana'' means "Hard to rule" or "unbounded".<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=7wJBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA98&dq=drupada+sons&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj20szk3truAhVbYysKHaIJDxcQ6AEwBHoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=drupada%20sons&f=false</ref>

==Birth and Early Life==

When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continued for an unusually long time, she beat her womb in frustration and in envy of [[Kunti]], the queen of [[Pandu]], who had given birth to three of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Due to her actions, a hardened mass of grey-coloured flesh emerged from her womb. Gandhari was devastated, and called upon [[Vyasa]], the great sage who had blessed her with one hundred sons, to redeem his words.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXV|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01116.htm|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

Dushasana was devoted to his older brother [[Duryodhana]]. He was also closely involved in the various schemes and plots to kill the [[Pandavas]] along with [[Duryodhana]] and [[Shakuni]].

==Draupadi's humiliation==
[[File: The ordeal of Queen Draupadi.jpg|alt=|thumb|Dushasana drags Draupadi to the court]]
After [[Yudhishthira]] lost his kingdom, his brothers and his wife [[Draupadi]], in a game of dice with [[Shakuni]], Duhshasana dragged [[Draupadi]] by the hair into the assembly, at the behest of his brother [[Duryodhana]], and tried to disrobe her. Draupadi prayed to [[Krishna]] and he made her [[sari]] to be of an infinite length so that Duhshasana could not take it off. Dushasana was very exhausted and he nearly fainted. The assembled men were amazed at this miracle. They condemned Duhshasana and praised Draupadi. However, Draupadi was humiliated by being dragged into court by her hair. After this humiliation, Draupadi swore that she will not tie her hair until it is bathed with the blood of Duhshasana. [[Bhima]], who could no longer watch Draupadi's insult in silence, rose up. He vowed to tear open Dussasana's chest in battle and drink his blood. Bhima also exclaimed that if he could not fulfill his oath, then he would not meet his ancestors in heaven.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-08-02|title=The Clothes of Draupadi|url=https://devdutt.com/articles/the-clothes-of-draupadi/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=Devdutt|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File: Draupadi s presented to a pachisi game.jpg|thumb|right|Draupadi is presented to a Parcheesi game]]

==Kurukshetra war and death==
He along with Duryodhana lead one of the Akshauhanis (battle divisions) of the Kaurava army. <ref>{{cite web |author1=Aayush |title=18 Days of The Mahabharata War – Summary of the War |url=https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/ |website=vedicfeed.com |publisher=VEDICFEED |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jha Preeti |title=जानिए महाभारत युद्ध के 18 दिनों में किस दिन क्या हुआ था |url=https://www.jagran.com/spiritual/sant-saadhak-mahabharat-yudh-ka-18-dino-ka-ghatnakram-15405663.html |website=jagran.com |publisher=jagran |access-date=8 June 2020 |language=hi}}</ref>

Dushasana was the warrior who shot the first arrow in the Mahabharata war. On the first day of the war, Dushasana had fought with Nakula. On the tenth day, Dushasana was appointed on the frontlines to defend [[Bhishma]] from the Pandava army. Dushasana exhibited his valour on that day by resisting all the Pandavas single-handedly. But later, [[Arjuna]] managed to defeat him.

On the thirteenth day, Dushasana was present in the Chakravyuha. After a fierce duel, [[Abhimanyu]] badly defeated Dushasana and his charioteer had to take him away from the battlefield. The son of Dushasana who helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war was also present inside the Chakra Vyuh on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Aswathamma by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid-air. After that, Dushasana's son killed Abhimanyu in a mace duel. On 14th day, Dushasana's son was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Upapandavas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-06|title=Mythology 3 – Abhimanyu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/littlethoughts/mythology-3-abhimanyu/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Death ===
[[File: Bhima drinks blood.jpg|thumb|Bhima fulfilling his promise regarding Dussasana in the Mahabharata field]]
On the seventeenth day, Dushasana encountered Bhima in a duel. First, they fought by means of archery. Both broke each other's chariots and then they engaged in a mace duel. Bhima broke Dushasana's mace and started using wrestling manoeuvres to beat up Dushasan. After beating him up badly, Bhima seized Dushasana's right arm and uprooted it from his body while roaring loudly. Then (remembering his vow taken on dice game day), Bhima tore open Dushasana's chest with his bare hands and drank his hot blood. Many soldiers who saw Bhima drinking Dushasana's blood had fallen unconscious and some soldiers said that Bhima was a monster for drinking a human's blood. After that, Bhima danced around Dushasana's corpse. Dushasana's death had greatly agitated the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana who become numb. Bhima had given Dushasana one of the most brutal deaths in Mahabharata.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

*'' Mahabharata'' (1999) by [[Krishna Dharma]]

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline|Dushasana}}

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]]