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Mahabharat (1988 TV series)

2023-09-21T17:09:31Z

2402:3A80:1644:306B:0:45:6379:1E01:

{{short description|1988 TV Series by B.R. Chopra based on Mahabharata}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Mahabharat
| image = Mahabharat (1988) title logo screenshot.jpg
| caption =
| genre = Epic
| creator = [[B. R. Chopra]]
| based_on = ''[[Mahabharata]]'' by [[Vyasa]]
| developer =
| writer = [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]] [[Rahi Masoom Raza]]
| director = B. R. Chopra [[Ravi Chopra]]
| creative_director = Yashwant Mahilwar
| starring = [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] [[Mukesh Khanna]] [[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun]] [[Puneet Issar]] [[Gufi Paintal]] [[Roopa Ganguly]] [[Pankaj Dheer]] [[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] [[Gajendra Chauhan]]
| narrated = [[Harish Bhimani]]
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 94
| executive_producer = D.H. Vengurlekar
| producer = B. R. Chopra
| cinematography = Dharam Chopra
| editor = Shailendra Doke Birpal Singh
| screenplay = [[Rahi Masoom Raza]]
| runtime = 40-45 minutes
| first_aired = {{start date|df=y|1988|10|2}}
| last_aired = {{end date|df=y|1990|6|24}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/ |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref>
| followed_by = [[Mahabharat Katha]]
| network = [[DD National]]
| picture_format = [[576i]]
| composer = [[Raj Kamal]]
| company = B.R. Films
}}

'''''Mahabharat''''' is an Indian Hindi-language epic television series based on the ancient [[Sanskrit epic]] [[Mahabharata|of the same name]]. The original airing consisted of a total of 94 episodes<ref name=":0">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1488935/BR-Chopra |title=B.R. Chopra (Indian filmmaker) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2012-08-10}}</ref> and were broadcast from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990 on [[Doordarshan]].<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{cite book |last=McLain |first=Karline |title=India's immortal comic books: gods, kings, and other heroes |year=2009 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-22052-3 |page=46 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/iconic-mythological-series-mahabharat-to-be-re-telecast-beginning-saturday-at-12-and-7-pm/articleshow/74852492.cms|title=Iconic mythological series 'Mahabharat' to be re-telecast beginning Saturday at 12 and 7 PM|website=The Times of India}}</ref> It was produced by [[B. R. Chopra]] and directed by his son, [[Ravi Chopra]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/tv/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-creation-mahabharat-came-into-being|title=Remembering BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat'|website=The Quint|date=22 April 2016}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Raj Kamal]]. The script was written by [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]] and the Hindi/Urdu poet [[Rahi Masoom Raza]], based on the epic by Maharishi[[Vyasa]]. Costumes for the series were provided by [[Maganlal Dresswala]].<ref name="tri">{{cite news |title=Behind the scenes: Dress designers to actors & deities |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030420/spectrum/main5.htm |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date= 20 April 2003 |access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> The serial claims to have used the Critical Edition of [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]] as its basic source with [[Vishnu Sitaram Sukthankar]] and Shripad Krishna Belwalkar as its primary editor.

Each episode is 40–46 minutes long and begins with a title song that consisted of lyrical content and two verses from the [[Bhagavad Gita]].<ref name=titlesong>{{citation |title=Title Song Lyrics from the TV Series Mahabharat |url=http://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabharat-hindu-epic/ |date=21 September 2013 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318094225/http://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabharat-hindu-epic/ |archive-date=18 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The title song was sung and the verses rendered by singer [[Mahendra Kapoor]]. The title song is followed by a narration by Indian voice-artist [[Harish Bhimani]] as a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting the spiritual significance of the content of the episode. It is the most successful Mahabharata series ever produced for television.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/|title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever|website=The Financial Express}}</ref>

''[[Mahabharat Katha]]'', another part of the serial was aired on 1997 which covers all the untold stories about Karna's marriage with Padmavati, Arjuna's marriage with [[Chitrāngadā]] and [[Ulupi]], and stories about [[Ghatotkacha]], [[Barbarika]], [[Vrishaketu|Virshaketu]], [[Babruvahana]], conspiracies of Viprachitti, [[Ashvamedha|Ashwamedha Yajna]], Dushala's story and aftermath of the [[Kurukshetra War]], which are not covered in the original series.

==Premise==

The series covers the incidents of epic [[Mahabharata]] revolving around [[Krishna]], [[Pandavas]], [[Kauravas]] among other characters.

The show begins with Emperor [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]] giving more importance to 'Capacity' than to 'Birth'. He shows the birth of [[Bhishma]] and his oath, birth of Pandu, [[Dhritarashtra]] and Vidur and birth of Pandavas and Kauravas. The story then focuses on the childhood of Lord Krishna.

Elsewhere, [[Dronacharya]] teaches Pandavas and Kauravas and asks to defeat Drupad as ''Guru Dakshina''. Pandavas do so and give half of his kingdom to Drona. For revenge, [[Drupada]] obtains [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Draupadi]]. Dhritarashtra makes Yudhishthir the crown prince of Hastinapur. Shakuni (the maternal uncle of the Kauravas) and Duryodhan hatch a plan to burn Pandavas and Kunti alive, but they survive and go into incognito. Duryodhan is made crown prince of Hastinapur.

Arjuna wins Draupadi in her [[swayamvara]] but later shows her marriage with all five Pandavas. Later, [[Yudhishthir]] is made the king of Indraprastha and Pandavas conduct ''Rajsuya Yagna'' where Draupadi insults [[Duryodhana]]. Latter shows Duryodhana's revenge by trying to disrobe her and sending Pandavas along with Draupadi for an exile of 12 years and 1 year of anonymity. Duryodhana argues that the Pandavas violated the condition of anonymity in their last year of exile, therefore they must spend another 12 years in exile followed by another year of exile in anonymity. This conflict begins to sows the seed for the Mahabharata War.

Arjun and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu marries Uttara. Krishna tries to make peace between both parties. [[Indra]] in the disguise of a Brahmin took Karna's armor and earrings. Kunti's sorrow on the corpse of Karna reveals Karna's true identity of being the eldest Pandava.

Before Mahabharata War, Shri Krishna enlightens Arjuna about the "[[Bhagavad Gita]]" and showed his ''Virata Swaroopa'' to Arjuna. The latter shows the deaths of Bheeshma, Drona, Karna, Abhimanyu, Shalya, Shakuni, Jayadrata, Ghatotkacha, 100 Kauravas, 5 sons of Draupadi and many other warriors in the war leading to the victory of Pandavas over Kauravas. Gandhari holds Krishna responsible for her son's death and curses that his family will also get destroyed. The show ends with Yudhishthir's ''Rajyabhishek'' and Bhishma's death.

== Cast ==
===Main===
{{Div col}}
*[[Nitish Bharadwaj]] as [[Vasudeva Bhagwan Shree Krishna]], eighth avatar of [[Vishnu]], Devaki-Vasudev's eighth son, foster son of Nanda and Yashoda, Balaram and Subhadra's brother, Pandavas' cousin, Radha's consort, husband of Rukmini, Satyabhama and other 6 ranis, [[Rama]] in the song sabso Uchi prem sagaai
*Kewal Shah as adolescent [[Shree Krishna]]
*[[Mukesh Khanna]] as [[Bhishma Pitamah]], Shantanu-Ganga's eighth son, eighth [[Vasu]], [[Satyavati]]'s step-son, elder half-brother of [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]], paternal uncle of [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Pandu]], and [[Vidura]], paternal grand-uncle of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
* Krish Malik as adolescent [[Bhishma]]
* [[Gajendra Chauhan]] as [[Yudhishthira]], first Pandava, son of Kunti and Yama, eldest son of Kuru Clan, King of [[Indraprastha]] and later [[Hastinapura]], husband of Draupadi, father of Prativindhya
*Sonu as young [[Yudhishthira]]
*[[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] as [[Bheema]], second Pandava, son of Kunti and Vayu, [[Yuvraaj]] (crown prince) of [[Indraprastha]], husband of Draupadi and Hidimba, father of [[Ghatotkacha]], Sutasoma
*Mallik as young [[Bheema]]
*[[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun aka Firoz Khan]] as [[Arjuna]], third Pandava, son of Kunti and Indra, husband of [[Draupadi]], [[Uloopi]], [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]] and [[Subhadra]], brother-in-law of [[Balaram]] and [[Krishna]], father of [[Abhimanyu]], [[Babruvahana]], [[Iravan]] and [[Shrutakarma]]
*Ankur Javeri as young [[Arjuna]]
* [[Roopa Ganguly]] as [[Draupadi]], wife of Pandavas, also called as Panchali and Yagyaseni, younger daughter of [[Drupada]], Princess of [[Panchala]], sister of Dhrishtadhyumna and Shikhandi, mother of [[Upapandavas]]
*[[Puneet Issar]] as [[Duryodhana]], eldest son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, elder brother of 99 Kauravas, husband of Mayuri and Bhanumati,
*Amit Shukla as young [[Duryodhana]]
*[[Pankaj Dheer]] as [[Karna]], son of Kunti and Surya, Adhiratha-Radha's foster son, King of [[Anga]]
* Harendra Paintal as young [[Karna]]
*[[Sameer Chitre]] as [[Nakula]], fourth Pandava, son of Madri and Ashwini Kumara, husband of Draupadi, father of Shatanika
*[[Sanjeev Chitre]] as [[Sahadeva]], fifth Pandava, son of Madri and Ashwini Kumara, husband of Draupadi and father of Shrutasena
*[[Vinod Kapoor]] as [[Dushasana]], second son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Duryodhan's younger brother
*Kaushal Shah as young [[Dushasana]]
*[[Gufi Paintal]] as [[Shakuni]], Gandhari's brother, later King of [[Gandhara]], maternal uncle of Duryodhan and his 99 brothers
*[[Girija Shankar]] as [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s son from Ambika (eldest), later king of [[Hastinapur]], father of Kauravas
*[[Renuka Israni]] as [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]], wife of Dhritrashtra, Queen of [[Hastinapur]], mother of Kauravas, princess of [[Gandhara]], sister of Shakuni
*[[Nazneen]] as [[Kunti]], Pandu's first wife, mother of Karna, Yudhisthira, Bheema and Arjuna, daughter of Shoorsena, Vasudev's sister, Yadava princess, foster daughter of Kuntibhoja
*[[Virendra Razdan]] as [[Vidura]], the [[prime minister|Mahaa Mantri]] of Hastinapur, son of Ambika's head maid Parishrami, fathered by [[Vyasa]], half-brother to the kings [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]] of [[Hastinapura]], uncle of [[Pandavas]] and [[Kauravas]], brother in law of Kunti
*[[Surendra Pal]] as [[Dronacharya]], [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]]' guru, Ashwatthama's father
*[[Dharmesh Tiwari]] as [[Kripacharya]], family teacher, brother of [[Kripi]], [[Ashwatthama]]'s maternal uncle
*[[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]] as [[Ashwatthama]], son of [[Dronacharya]]
*Ayush Shah as young [[Ashwatthama]]
{{div col end}}

===Recurring===
*[[Harish Bhimani]] as Samay / narrator
*Sagar Salunke as [[Balarama]], Krishna's and Subhadra's elder brother, teacher of Duryodhana, Dushasana, Bheema, husband of Devi Revati
*[[Chetan Hansraj]] as adolescent Balrama
*Aloka Mukherjee as [[Subhadra]], Arjuna's fourth wife, Abhimanyu's mother, Vasudev's and Rohini's daughter, Krishna-Balaram's younger sister, Yadava princess
*[[Raj Babbar]] as [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]], paternal ancestor of the [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]], son of King [[Dushyanta]] and [[Shakuntala]]
*[[Ashalata Wabgaonkar]] as [[Shakuntala]], Bharata's mother, King [[Dushyanta]]'s wife
*[[Rishabh Shukla]] as [[Shantanu]], descendant of King Bharata, husband of [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]] and [[Satyavati]], father of [[Bhishma]], [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]], paternal grandfather of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]], paternal great-grandfather of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
*[[Kiran Juneja]] as [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]], Shantanu's first wife, [[Bhishma Pitamah's]] mother, the holy river of [[Hindus]]
*[[Debashree Roy]] as [[Satyavati]], King Shantanu's second wife; [[Vyasa]], [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]], and [[Vichitravirya]]'s mother, [[Bhishma Pitamah's]]
step-mother, paternal grandmother of [[Dhritarashtra]], [[Pandu]], and [[Vidura]], paternal great-grandmother of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
*[[Rajesh Vivek]] as [[Maharishi]] [[Ved Vyas]], son of sage [[Parashara]] and [[Satyavati]], father of [[Dhritarashtra]], [[Pandu]] and [[Vidura]], partial incarnation of [[Vishnu]], author of [[Mahabharata]]
*[[Sudesh Berry]] as [[Vichitravirya]], Shantanu-Satyavati's second son after [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]], Bhishma's step brother, husband of [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]], father of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]], paternal grandfather of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
*Jahnavi as [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], the first princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Shikhandi]] in the next life
*Meena Chakrabarty as [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]], second princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s first queen, mother of [[Dhritarashtra]], paternal grandmother of the [[Kauravas]]
*Menaka Babbar as [[Ambalika]], third princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s second queen, mother of [[Pandu]], paternal grandmother of the [[Pandavas]]
*Tarakesh Chauhan as [[Pandu]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s son from Ambalika (the youngest wife), King of [[Hastinapur]], husband of [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]], father of [[Pandavas]]
*[[Roma Manek]] as [[Madri]], Pandu's second wife, [[Madra]] princess, mother of Nakul and Sahadev
*Asha Singh as [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Kripi|Kripi]], sister of Kripacharya, wife of Dronacharya and mother of Ashwathama
*Kamlesh Maan as [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Sulabha|Devi Sulabha]], [[Vidur]]'s wife
*[[Lalit Mohan Tiwari]] as [[Sanjaya]], Dhritarashtra's advisor and also his [[chariot]]eer
* Kapil Kumar as [[Shalya]], Madri's elder brother, King of [[Madra]]
*Shahla Khan as [[Hidimbi|Hidimbā]], Hidimb's sister, Bheem's wife, Kunti's daughter-in-law and Ghatotkacha's mother
*Razak Khan as [[Ghatotkacha]], son of [[Bhima]] and [[Hidimbi]]
*Mayur Verma (Master Mayur) as [[Abhimanyu]], son of [[Arjuna|Arjun]] and [[Subhadra]], husband of [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], father of [[Parikshit]]
*[[Varsha Usgaonkar]] as [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], Abhimanyu's wife, [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] princess, mother of [[Parikshit]]
*Dinesh Anand as [[Vikarna]], son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Duyodhan's younger brother
*Paramjeet Chima as Dashraj, [[Satyavati]]'s father
*[[Om Katare]] as [[Adhiratha]], charioteer, [[Karna]]'s foster father
*Saroj Sharma as [[Radha (Mahābhārata)|Radha]], [[Adhiratha]]'s wife, [[Karna]]'s foster mother
* Ramlal Gupta as [[Ugrasena]], King of [[Mathura]], [[Surasena]], father of Kansa and Devaki
*[[Goga Kapoor]] as [[Kansa|Kansa]], son of Ugrasena, elder brother of Devaki, maternal uncle of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]
*[[Vishnu Sharma]] as [[Vasudeva|Vasudev]], son of [[Shurasena]], brother of [[Kunti]], prince of [[Vrishni]] tribe, father of Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra, maternal uncle of the [[Pandavas]]
*Kshama Raj as [[Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)|Rohini]], Vasudeva's elder wife, mother of Balarama
*[[Sheela Sharma]] as [[Devaki]], Vasudev's younger wife, younger sister of Kansa, daughter of Ugrasena, mother of Krishna and Subhadra
*[[Rasik Dave]] as [[Nanda (Hinduism)|Nanda]], chief of [[Gokul]], foster father of Krishna
*Manju Vyas as [[Yashoda]], Nand's wife, foster mother of Krishna
*Channa Ruparel as Maharani [[Rukmini]], [[Krishna]]'s chief wife
*Parijat as Devi [[Radha]], [[Krishna]]'s consort
*[[Sumeet Raghavan]] as adolescent [[Sudama]]
*Ajay Sinha as [[Akrura|Akroor]], [[Vrishni]] chief
*Bashir Khan as [[Satyaki]], General
*[[Ashok Banthia]] as Senapati [[Kritavarma]]
*Pradeep Sharma as Panchalaraj [[Drupada]], Draupadi's father, King of [[Panchala]]
*[[Arun Bakshi]] as Yuvraaj [[Dhrishtadyumna]], Draupadi's elder brother, Prince of [[Panchala]]
*[[Paintal (comedian)|Paintal]] as [[Shikhandi]], Drupad's elder son, adult [[Sudama]]
*Ashok Sharma as [[Virata]], King of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*Chandni Sharma as [[Sudeshna]], Queen of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*[[Sameer Rajda]] as [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttar]], crown prince of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*[[Sharat Saxena]] as [[Kichaka]], Army General of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*[[Deep Dhillon]] as [[Jayadratha]], [[Duhsala]]'s husband, Kauravas' brother-in-law of Duryodhana, King of [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhu]]
*Vikrant Mathur as Subala, [[Shakuni]]'s and [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]'s father, King of [[Gandhara]]
*[[Shivendra Mahal]] as [[Parashurama]] and [[Shiva]]
*[[Satish Kaul]] as Devraj [[Indra]]
*[[Gopi Krishna (dancer)|Gopi Krishna]] as [[Chitrasena (Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]]
*Rakesh Bidua as Kashya, King of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]]
*Rana Jung Bahadur as [[Jarasandha]], King of [[Magadha]], father-in-law of [[Kansa]]
*Karunakar Pathak as [[Shishupala]], King of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]], a maternal cousin of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]
*Pawan Shukla as Shalva Kumar, Prince of [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwa]], Princess [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]'s lover
*[[Prem Sagar]] as Rishi [[Kanva]]
*[[Pankaj Berry]] as Rishi [[Kindama]], a sage who cursed [[Pandu]]
*Mini Singh as Rishi [[Kindama]]'s wife

===Episodic appearance===
* Vikas Prasad as [[Ekalavya]]
* Randhir Singh as [[Hidimba|Hidimb]] and [[Putana]]
* Sabrina as [[Putana]] (cameo)
* [[Dara Singh]] as [[Hanuman]] (cameo)
* [[Raj Kishore]] as Rajpurohit of Panchal Kingdom (cameo)
* [[Dinesh Kaushik]] as [[Rukmi]]
* Bashir Khan as Rishi Parashar, father of Vyasa, Senapati of Hastinapura

==Episodes==

Episode 1 – Introduction of Kuru Family, Raja Bharat and Raja Shantanu

Episode 2 – Ganga Kills Her Sons

Episode 3 – Bhishma is Grown-up

Episode 4 – Bhishma Pratigya & Iccha Mrityu Vardaan

Episode 5 – Amba, Ambika and Ambalika's Introduction

Episode 6 – Birth of Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidur

Episode 7 – Introduction of Kunti, Karna's Birth-story, Dhritarashtra-Gandhari get married; Gandhari blindfolded herself; Kunti swayamvar

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

Episode 9 – Dhritarashtra is king, Pandu's sanyas and Pandavas are born.

Episode 10 – Kansa is king at Mathura and Akashwani about Krishna

Episode 11 – Birth of Balarama and Krishna

Episode 12 – Krishna Janma (birth of Krishna) celebrations and Pootna's Death

Episode 13 – Krishna Brahmand Darshan and Krishna gets caught while stealing Makhan

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

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

Episode 16 – Kansa invites Krishna to Mathura

Episode 17 – Kansa Vadh; Krishna meets his parents and grandfather

Episode 18 – Pandu and Madri's Death

Episode 19 – Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika take sanyas with Rishi Vyas

Episode 20 – Duryodhan Poisons Bhim and Bhim gets strength of 1000 Elephants

Episode 21 – Sudama's chivda story, and Drona arrives at Hastinapur

Episode 22 – Shastra Pooja, Drona insults Karna and Arjuna's test

Episode 23 – Ekalavya, Karna's education, Arjun's test of bird's eye

Episode 24 – All the Princes have grown up, and they exhibit their skills in Rangbhoomi, Karna challenges Arjuna and Duryodhana gives Anga Desh to Karna

Episode 25 – Drona's guru Dakshina to capture Dhrupad

Episode 26 – Krishna gets Sudarshana chakra from Parshuram, defeats Jarasandh and orders building Dwaraka

Episode 27 – Yudhishthira is crowned as Prince. Rukmini of Vidarbha is Being Forced to Marry Shishupal

Episode 28 – Krishna Rescues Rukmini and marry her

Episode 29 – Lakshagraha is built-in Varnavata by Purochan

Episode 30 – Tunneling in Varnavat Begins

Episode 31 – Escape from Lakshagraha

Episode 32 – Hidimb Vadh and Bhima's marriage with demoness Hidimba

Episode 33 – Bheema kills Bakasura

Episode 34 – Drishtadhyumna & Draupadi Birth and Draupadi Swayamvar

Episode 35 – Arjuna wins Draupadi and later she became the wife of the 5 Pandavas

Episode 36 – Pandavas Leave from [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|''Panchal Kingdom'']] to Hastinapur

Episode 37 – Pandavas Arrives at Hastinapur and Kingdom is divided

Episode 38 – Pandav Get Khandavprastha

Episode 39 – Coronation of Yudhirsthir, Khandavprastha Becomes Indraprastha

Episode 40 – Arjuna runs away with Subhadra

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

Episode 42 – Jarasandha Vadh, Rajsuya Yagnya begins, Shishupala's story

Episode 43 – Rajsuya Yagya, Shishupala Vadh

Episode 44 – Vyas predicts war

Episode 45 – Pandavas go to Hastinapur to gamble

Episode 46 – Yudhishthir loses Everything in the gamble

Episode 47 – Vastraharan of Draupadi

Episode 48 – Pandavas bet back everything

Episode 49 – Re-match of Dyut

Episode 50 – Vanvas Begins

Episode 51 – Gandharvas catch Duryodhan

Episode 52 – Arjuna worships Lord Indra and Lord Shiva for Divyastra and gets Pashupatastra

Episode 53 – Krishna's story of one grain of rice, Bheema meets Ghatotkacha and Hanuman, Arjun learns dance from Chitrasena

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

Episode 55 – Story of Poisoned Water and Yaksha's Questions to Yudhishthira, Abhimanyu is Grown-up

Episode 56 – Exile in Matsya Desh

Episode 57 – Karna's curse, Draupadi as Maid Sairandhri rejects Keechaka

Episode 58 – Keechaka Vadh by Bheema

Episode 59 – Kaurav Attack Matsya Desh

Episode 60 – Viraat war and clothes for Uttaraa's dolls

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

Episode 62 – Dhritarashtra does not agree and sends Sanjay

Episode 63 – Duryodhana gets Narayani Sena from Krishna, Krishna agrees to become charioteer of Arjuna

Episode 64 – Krishna Goes to Hastinapur as Shanti Doot

Episode 65 – Krishna took Virat Avtar and Indra takes Karna's Kawach and Kundala

Episode 66 – Karna's identity is disclosed

Episode 67 – Vidura resigns as prime minister, Kunti meets Karna

Episode 68 – Sanjaya gets Divya Drishti, Ulluk goes to Pandavas

Episode 69 – Duryodhana tricks Shalya to join Kauravas

Episode 70 – Shikhandi's Story of rebirth

Episode 71 – Arjuna Worships Goddess Durga, rules of war laid

Episode 72 – Kurukshetra War begins and Arjun Drops His weapons, [[Bhagavad Gita|Geeta Saar]] begins

Episode 73 – Geeta Saar continues

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

Episode 75 – Yudhishthira gets blessings, Yuyutsu changes side and war begins, Abhimanyu faces Bhishma

Episode 76 – Uttar dies, Arjuna faces Bhishma and day 2 begins

Episode 77 – Arjuna is unstoppable, 3rd day is over, 4th day begins, Bhima is surrounded, 10 Kauravas are killed, Krishna takes out his Sudarshan

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

Episode 79 – Bhishma lies on the bed of arrows, Karna meets Bhishma

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

Episode 81 – Chakra Vyuh Planned, Duryodhan Promises Susharma

Episode 82 – Abhimanyu Vadh; Uttaraa is pregnant

Episode 83 – Arjuna Vows to Kill Jayadrath and Story About Jayadratha's Curse

Episode 84 – Arjuna Breaks [[Kamal Vyuh]] to Get to Jayadratha

Episode 85 – Shri Krishna covers the Sun with his ''[[Sudarshana Chakra]]'', [[Jayadratha Vadh]]

Episode 86 – Karna kills Ghatotkacha by ''[[Shakti Astra]]''

Episode 87 – Virat and Drupad are killed, Drona Dies

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

Episode 89 – Karna's curse, Karna-Arjuna final battle, Arjuna defeats Karna to death.

Episode 90 – Shakuni Dies, Shalya dies, Duryodhan learns about Karna's truth, Yudhishthir curses All womankind, Gandhari curses Krishna & Yaduvansh, Duryodhan becomes iron bodied

Episode 91 – Balaram arrives, Bhim-Duryodhan Gada Yudh, Duryodhan fatally wounded, Balaram decides to kill Bhim

Episode 92 – Duryodhan Dies, Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritvarma remain, Ashwathamas kill the sons of Pandavas (Uppandavas) and Drishtadyumna, Ashwathama tries to kill Uttaraa's unborn son, Krishna curses Ashwatthama, Parikshit is Born

Episode 93 – Dhritarashtra-Vidur discussion about ''dharma'', Pandavas arrive at Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra Tries to kill Bhim

Episode 94 – Dhritarashtra and Gandhari ready for Vanaprasthan. Yudhisthir Becomes King of Hastinapur, Bhishma leaves his body.

==Production==
===Development===
According to production team member Kishore Malhotra, the total cost of producing the series was {{INRConvert| 9|c}}.<ref>'' Mahabharat Ki Mahabharat: The Making of B.R. Chopra's "Mahabharat"''</ref> Casting for the series began in 1986 and shooting started off in mid-1988.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat actor Puneet Issar: BR Chopra wanted me to play Bheem, I chose Duryodhan|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/mahabharat-actor-puneet-issar-br-chopra-wanted-me-to-play-bheem-i-chose-duryodhan-1671740-2020-04-27|website=India Today}}</ref> Show was shot mostly at Mumbai's Film City, and the grand battle of ''Kurukshetra'' was shot in Rajasthan, with thousands of extras to fill the screen.<ref name=":5" />

The series was initially submitted to the channel for 104 episodes which was later shortened to 94 episodes.<ref name=":6" />

===Casting===
15,000 people applied to play different roles in the Mahabharat TV series. The casting team led by [[Gufi Paintal]] shortlisted them and called around 1,500 for video screen tests<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2019-10-02|title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref> Almost all actors in the series were newcomers, barring [[Raj Babbar]] who played King Bharat, [[Debashree Roy]] who played Satyavati.<ref>{{Cite web|title=B.R. Chopra's serial 'Mahabharat' promises to be another bonanza 31101988|url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/b.r.-chopras-serial-mahabharat-promises-to-be-another-bonanza/1/329897.html|access-date=2017-04-08|website=m.indiatoday.in}}</ref> [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] was chosen by B.R. Chopra, Ravi Chopra, Pandit Narendra Sharma and Rahi Masoom Raza, to play the central role of [[Krishna]], at the age of 23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-nitish-bharadwaj-refused-to-play-krishna-dodged-br-chopra-to-avoid-screen-test/story-m4vUm8SeWSe1gAIbb0v1oL.html|title=Nitish Bharadwaj refused to play Krishna in Mahabharat|date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/janmashtami-2017-actor-nitish-bharadwaj-recollects-his-days-from-the-mahabharat/story-4QN6MWDOS51wUeMVvjKRjP.html|title=Janmashtami 2017: Actor Nitish Bharadwaj recollects his days from the Mahabharat|date=14 August 2017}}</ref> Initially, he was chosen for playing [[Vidura|Vidur]]. But [[Virendra Razdan]] was cast for it as B.R. Chopra considered Bharadwaj young to play the role.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-nitish-bharadwaj-refused-to-play-krishna-dodged-br-chopra-to-avoid-screen-test/story-m4vUm8SeWSe1gAIbb0v1oL.html|title=Mahabharat: Nitish Bharadwaj refused to play Krishna, dodged BR Chopra to avoid screen test|website=Hindustan Times|date=29 March 2020}}</ref> Then Bharadwaj was offered to play [[Nakula|Nakul]] and [[Sahadeva|Sahadev]], but he rejected and wanted to play [[Abhimanyu]]. Days later, he was called and finalized to play Krishna.<ref name=":2" /> Firoz Khan was chosen to portray the character of [[Arjuna]] (which he later adopted as his screen name, to not become confused with [[Feroz Khan (actor)|a more popular actor of the same name]]) despite being rejected in auditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/mahabharats-arjun-gets-blacklisted/article3834854.ece|title=Mahabharat's Arjun gets blacklisted!|first=Madhur|last=Tankha|date=29 August 2012|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Asian games gold medalist [[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] was selected to portray [[Bhima]] after Chopra was looking for someone "who could look the robust historical character".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/lsquoBheemrsquo-waiting-for-a-special-role/article16350038.ece|title='Bheem' waiting for a special role|date=12 January 2009|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Around six actresses were shortlisted for the role of [[Draupadi]], including [[Juhi Chawla]], who opted out of the show as she had bagged a film. [[Ramya Krishnan]] and [[Roopa Ganguly]] were the final names, and at last [[Roopa Ganguly]] was chosen, as her Hindi was good.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Juhi Chawla turned down Draupadi in Mahabharat. Then Roopa Ganguly got the role|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/tuesday-trivia-not-roopa-ganguly-but-juhi-chawla-was-the-first-choice-to-play-draupadi-in-mahabharat-1671956-2020-04-28|website=India Today}}</ref> [[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]] and [[Chunky Pandey]] were signed for the role of [[Abhimanyu]], but they opted out when they bagged films. Later, Master Mayur played the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.html|title=Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref> [[Mukesh Khanna]] who wished to play role of Arjun was initially offered the role of Duryodhan. But later he was signed for Dhronacharya.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Puneet Issar on playing Duryodhan in Mahabharat: 'My body turned black and blue after climax fight scene with Bheem'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/puneet-issar-on-playing-duryodhan-in-mahabharat-my-body-turned-black-and-blue-after-climax-fight-scene-with-bheem/story-clVOooyjbmBmQV6mDxaz9K.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=7 May 2020}}</ref> When Vijayendra Ghadge dropped his role of Bhisma, Khanna got the role of [[Bhishma]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/exclusive-mukesh-khanna-the-reruns-of-ramayan-and-mahabharat-will-help-people-like-sonakshi-sinha-who-dont-know-anything-about-mythology/photostory/74977826.cms?picid=74977940|title=Exclusive – Mukesh Khanna: The reruns of Ramayan and Mahabharat will help people like Sonakshi Sinha, who don't know anything about mythology|website=The Times of India|date=4 April 2020}}</ref> [[Puneet Issar]] was offered to play the role of Bheem but was cast as Duryodhan on his wish.<ref name=":3" /> The casting director of the show, Gufi Paintal had cast himself in the role of Shakuni.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-06|title=Mahabharat's Shakuni Mama aka Gufi Paintal remembers the show: 'Golden age of television'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-s-shakuni-mama-aka-gufi-paintal-remembers-the-show-golden-age-of-television/story-mMO8sCCmwsihwyDAZrkWSN.html|access-date=2020-07-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

== Music ==
Mahabharat's music was composed by [[Raj Kamal]] and lyrics were penned by [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]]. Some songs were taken from works of devotional writers like [[Surdas]], [[Raskhan]] etc. Apart from main songs there are also several short verses decoding summary of each episode. All those verse were sung by [[Mahendra Kapoor]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-31|title=These singers gives their voice for Mahabharata|url=https://english.newstracklive.com/news/mahabharat-br-chopra-legendary-singers-worked-in-epic-tv-show-doordarshan-sc90-nu904-ta294-1096454-1.html|access-date=2020-07-22|website=News Track|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-02|title=जानिए, महाभारत के प्रसिद्ध गीतों को किन-किन गायकों ने दी थी आवाज|url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zee-hindustan/glamour-gadgets/know-which-singers-gave-voice-to-famous-songs-of-mahabharata/690035|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Zee Hindustan}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline =
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ath Shree Mahabharat Katha (Opening Theme)
| extra1 = [[Mahendra Kapoor]]
| length1 = 04:12
| title2 = Bharat Ki Yeh Kahaani (Ending Theme)
| extra2 = [[Mahendra Kapoor]]
| length2 = 05:21
| title3 = Beet Gaye Din Par Din Beet Gaye
| extra3 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length3 = 05:23
| title4 = Govind Gokul Aayo
| extra4 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length4 = 04:49
| title5 = Jagiye Brijraj Kunwar
| extra5 = [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length5 = 04:10
| title6 = [[Main Naahin Maakhan Khaayo]]
| extra6 = [[Nitin Mukesh]]
| length6 = 05:20
| title7 = Maiya Mohi Dau Bahut Khijayo
| extra7 = [[Nitin Mukesh]]
| length7 = 04:00
| title8 = Shyam ne Murli Madhur
| extra8 = [[Suresh Wadkar]]
| length8 = 05:42
| title9 = Mor Pakha Seer Upar Rakhiyo
| extra9 = [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length9 = 04:16
| title10 = Mohan Ke Mukh Par Bansari
| extra10 = [[Raj Kamal]] and [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length10 = 07:01
| title11 = Binati Suniye Nath Hamari
| extra11 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length11 = 04:51
| title12 = Beti Chali Paraye Desh
| extra12 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length12 = 07:05
| title13 = Kripa Krishna Ki
| extra13 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length13 = 07:01
| title14 = Main Boondan Bheeji Saari
| extra14 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length14 = 04:30
| title15 = Pranay Ke Pratham Prahar Ki Baat
| extra15 = [[Anuradha Paudwal]]
| length15 = 05:20
| title16 = Samay Bada Balwaan
| extra16 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length16 = 05:17
| title17 = Jhanak Jhanak Baaje Payaliya
| extra17 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length17 = 04:51
| title18 = Manwa Madhur Madhur Kachu Bol
| extra18 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length18 = 04:04
| title19 = Naino Ke Darpan mein
| extra19 = [[Roopa Ganguly]]
| length19 = 03:27
| title20 = Sabso Onchi Prem Sagai
| extra20 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length20 = 05:44
| title21 = Yeh Dharma Yudh Hain
| extra21 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length21 = 10:30
| title22 = Hey Priyatame
| extra22 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length22 = 06:16
| all_writing =
| all_music = [[Raj Kamal]]
| total_length =
}}

==Broadcast==
In India the series was originally broadcast on [[DD National]]. It was shown in the United Kingdom by the [[BBC]],<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Genome:Mahabarat – transmission times |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?adv=0&q=Mahabharat&media=all&yf=1923&yt=2009&mf=1&mt=12&tf=00%3A00&tt=00%3A00#search |access-date=2015-10-01}}</ref> where it achieved audience figures of 5 million.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 April 2008 |title=Epic Hindi Language Series Mahabharat Launches Exclusively on Rogers OMNI Television Channels in Ontario and British Columbia |url=http://www.omnimb.ca/info/press/p_20050809.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429193553/http://www.omnimb.ca/info/press/p_20050809.shtml |archive-date=29 April 2008 |access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Mark |date=7 June 2013 |title=The Returned: how British TV viewers came to lose their fear of subtitles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/07/british-television-subititles |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> It was also the first programme broadcast on [[BBC2]] after its 1991 revamp,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gkhindinews.com/ |title=Rochak kahani mahabharat ki |publisher=Gkhindinews |date=10 February 2020 |access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> but it had also been shown late at night on [[BBC1]] the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gkhindinews/ |title=Watch Rochak kahani mahabharat ki |publisher=Gkhindinews |access-date=2020-02-11 }}</ref>

The show was again telecast on [[DD Bharati]] from 28 March 2020, on [[DD Retro]] from 13 April 2020, on [[Colors TV]] from 4 May 2020 as well as [[Star Bharat]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India|lockdown due to coronavirus]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/on-public-demand-ramayan--mahabharat-makes-comeback-during-lockdown/1782399|title=On public demand, ''Ramayan'' & ''Mahabharat'' makes comeback during lockdown|website=Outlook India|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat to air on Colors|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/mahabharat-to-air-on-colors-80194|last=Service|first=Tribune News|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>

==Reception==
Ganguly was applauded for her performance in the sequence.<ref name="TNH">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnowhindi.com/entertainment/television/article/roopa-ganguly-cried-half-an-hour-after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-in-mahabharata/288479|title=Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद आधे घंटे तक रोई थीं 'द्रौपदी' रूपा गांगुली, पहनी थीं 250 मीटर लंबी साड़ी|date=11 April 2020|website=timesnowhindi.com|language=hi|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> [[Ravi Chopra]] later disclosed that she was originally weeping while enacting in the Vastraharan sequence and the crew members had to console her later to make her stop.<ref name="TNH" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/entertainment/story-mahabharat-roopa-ganguly-cried-for-half-an-hour-after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-3156116.html|title=Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद द्रौपदी का किरदार निभाने वालीं रूपा गांगुली आधे घंटे तक रोती रही थीं|date=17 April 2020|website=livehindustan.com|language=hi|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref>|The sequence is often claimed to be the most climactic one of the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.html|title=Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988|website=Hindustan Times|date=5 May 2016|access-date=2019-05-07}}</ref> For the sequence [[Ravi Chopra|Chopra]] recreated the visual effect of the Vastraharan sequence of [[Babubhai Mistry]]'s ''[[Mahabharat (1965 film)|Mahabharat]]'' (1965) starring [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] as [[Draupadi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/mahabharat-3272|title=Mahabharat (1965) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref> His visual effects won more favour than that of the 1965 film and has still been considered by a part of critics to be the most brilliant in line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/why-the-new-mahabharat-is-an-epic-fail-1114011.html|title=Why the new Mahabharat is an epic fail- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=2013-09-17|website=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/2016/04/22/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-creation-mahabharat-came-into-being|title=Happy B'day BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat'|date=2016-04-22|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=2019-05-06}}</ref> of the most successful television series in Indian television history.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 20, 2020|first=Shweta|last=Keshri|title=Monday Masala: BR Chopra's Mahabharat is the baap of all masala entertainers|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/monday-masala-br-chopra-s-mahabharat-is-the-baap-of-masala-entertainers-1668902-2020-04-20|access-date=2020-08-05|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> In common with the "[[Ramayan (1986 TV series)|Ramayana]]" serial, the broadcasting of a Mahabharat episode was associated with the simultaneous emptying of streets in the cities and people leaving work early to watch it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/retelling-of-mahabharata-on-television-over-the-years-epic-television/article7770181.ece|title=Epic television|first=Lavanya|last=Mohan|date=16 October 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Along with general audience many big names from Hindi film industry like [[Rajesh Khanna]], [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Jeetendra]], [[ Hema Malini]] and [[Dharmendra]] also praised the show.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watch: Yesteryear superstars Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Hema Malini talk about BR Chopra's Mahabharat in this old video |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/watch-yesteryear-superstars-rajesh-khanna-dharmendra-hema-malini-talk-about-br-chopras-mahabharat-in-this-old-video/articleshow/75700630.cms|access-date=2020-07-29|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

During its rerun in [[COVID-19 lockdown in India]], it became the second most watched Indian TV show after [[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|''Ramayan'']] (1987).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/dd-emerges-as-most-watched-channel-ramayana-mahabharata-among-favourites-11586423915023.html|title=DD emerges as most watched channel; Ramayana, Mahabharata among favourites|website=Live Mint|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> In week 13, it garnered 145.8 million impressions with both morning and evening slots combined on [[DD Bharati]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/ramayan-shaktimaan-byomkesh-bakshi-make-dd-national-most-watched-channel-across-genres/398610/|title=Reruns of 1980-90s classics Ramayan, Shaktimaan, Byomkesh make DD most-watched channel|website=[[ThePrint]]|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> After ''Ramayan'' ended, ''Mahabharat'' became the most watched TV show until its end.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat becomes the most-watched show. Doordarshan witnesses major dip in ratings|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/mahabharat-becomes-the-most-watched-show-doordarshan-witnesses-major-dip-in-ratings-1680680-2020-05-22|website=India Today}}</ref> The series ended with 22.9 million viewership.<ref name=":4" />

==Home media==
The series was uploaded onto the website "Rajshri.com" along with its dubbed Tamil version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/mahabharat-on-the-net/article3231819.ece|title=Mahabharat on the net|date=22 December 2006|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Home video of the Bengali-dubbed version of this series has been released by Heart Video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/mahabharat-now-in-bengali/article2912867.ece|title=Mahabharat now in Bengali|date=20 February 2012|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> In 2019, [[Pen India Limited|Pen India Ltd]] bought the rights of the show and uploaded all the episodes on its devotional YouTube channel ''Pen Bhakti'' including its spin-off series ''[[Mahabharat Katha]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=After TV, BR Chopra's Mahabharat to be Available on YouTube As Well|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/after-tv-br-chopras-mahabharat-to-be-available-on-youtube-as-well-2560587.html|access-date=2020-07-29|website=News18|date=April 2020}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''Mahabharat'' along with ''[[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|Ramayan]]'' (1987), became one of the most successful television series based on an epic in Indian television history.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

Many actors became popular through their appearances in this series.

* [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] became famous as [[Lord Krishna]] and later he also played lead role in Chopra's another mythological show [[Vishnu Puran (TV series)|Vishnu Puran]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Television|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000123/spectrum/tv.htm|access-date=2020-06-21|website=The Tribune}}</ref>
* [[Roopa Ganguly]], who played [[Draupadi]], went on to become a successful actress in Bengali cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/bishwanath-ghosh-gajendra-chauhans-appointment-as-ftii-chairman/article7460395.ece|title=Ideology vs. stature|first=Bishwanath|last=Ghosh|date=25 July 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/no-childs-play/article7181850.ece|title=No child's play|first=Madhur|last=Tankha|date=8 May 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
* [[Pankaj Dheer]] received immense popularity after playing [[Karna]]. His pictures are used in textbooks as reference to Karna and the actor also revealed that his statues are worshipped in temples in [[Karnal]] and Batar.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 27, 2020|title=Did you know Mahabharat's Karna, Pankaj Dheer's statue is worshipped in temples in Karnal and Bastar?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/did-you-know-mahabharat-s-karna-pankaj-dheer-s-statue-is-worshipped-in-temples-in-karnal-and-bastar-1682514-2020-05-27|access-date=2020-06-21|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Firoz Khan]] changed his name to "Arjun" professionally after finding success with the role of [[Arjuna|Arjun]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-27|title=Mahabharat's Arjun Firoz Khan Says Changing His Name Gave Him Everything He'd Dreamed of|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/mahabharats-arjun-firoz-khan-says-changing-his-name-gave-him-everything-hed-dreamed-of-2594135.html|access-date=2020-06-21|website=News18}}</ref>
* [[Mukesh Khanna]], who was a not so famous actor until then, shot to fame as [[Bhishma]] and named his production company after his character.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-23 |title=Mukesh Khanna on his struggle before Mahabharat: ‘People labelled me as a flop actor, I was deeply disappointed’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mukesh-khanna-on-his-struggle-before-mahabharat-people-labelled-me-as-a-flop-actor-i-was-deeply-disappointed/story-pzaA8FtSwcAM0m0VjdKWNL.html |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0158417}}

{{B. R. Chopra}}
{{Works based on the Mahabharata |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Television series based on Mahabharata]]
[[Category:DD National original programming]]
[[Category:1988 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s Indian television series]]
[[Category:Television shows based on poems]]

Mahabharat (1988 TV series)

2023-09-21T17:05:42Z

2402:3A80:1644:306B:0:45:6379:1E01:

{{short description|1988 TV Series by B.R. Chopra based on Mahabharata}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Mahabharat
| image = Mahabharat (1988) title logo screenshot.jpg
| caption =
| genre = Epic
| creator = [[B. R. Chopra]]
| based_on = ''[[Mahabharata]]'' by [[Vyasa]]
| developer =
| writer = [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]] [[Rahi Masoom Raza]]
| director = B. R. Chopra [[Ravi Chopra]]
| creative_director = Yashwant Mahilwar
| starring = [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] [[Mukesh Khanna]] [[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun]] [[Puneet Issar]] [[Gufi Paintal]] [[Roopa Ganguly]] [[Pankaj Dheer]] [[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] [[Gajendra Chauhan]]
| narrated = [[Harish Bhimani]]
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 94
| executive_producer = D.H. Vengurlekar
| producer = B. R. Chopra
| cinematography = Dharam Chopra
| editor = Shailendra Doke Birpal Singh
| screenplay = [[Rahi Masoom Raza]]
| runtime = 40-45 minutes
| first_aired = {{start date|df=y|1988|10|2}}
| last_aired = {{end date|df=y|1990|6|24}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/ |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref>
| followed_by = [[Mahabharat Katha]]
| network = [[DD National]]
| picture_format = [[576i]]
| composer = [[Raj Kamal]]
| company = B.R. Films
}}

'''''Mahabharat''''' is an Indian Hindi-language epic television series based on the ancient [[Sanskrit epic]] [[Mahabharata|of the same name]]. The original airing consisted of a total of 94 episodes<ref name=":0">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1488935/BR-Chopra |title=B.R. Chopra (Indian filmmaker) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2012-08-10}}</ref> and were broadcast from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990 on [[Doordarshan]].<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{cite book |last=McLain |first=Karline |title=India's immortal comic books: gods, kings, and other heroes |year=2009 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-22052-3 |page=46 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/iconic-mythological-series-mahabharat-to-be-re-telecast-beginning-saturday-at-12-and-7-pm/articleshow/74852492.cms|title=Iconic mythological series 'Mahabharat' to be re-telecast beginning Saturday at 12 and 7 PM|website=The Times of India}}</ref> It was produced by [[B. R. Chopra]] and directed by his son, [[Ravi Chopra]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/tv/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-creation-mahabharat-came-into-being|title=Remembering BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat'|website=The Quint|date=22 April 2016}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Raj Kamal]]. The script was written by [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]] and the Hindi/Urdu poet [[Rahi Masoom Raza]], based on the epic by Maharishi[[Vyasa]]. Costumes for the series were provided by [[Maganlal Dresswala]].<ref name="tri">{{cite news |title=Behind the scenes: Dress designers to actors & deities |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030420/spectrum/main5.htm |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date= 20 April 2003 |access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> The serial claims to have used the Critical Edition of [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]] as its basic source with [[Vishnu Sitaram Sukthankar]] and Shripad Krishna Belwalkar as its primary editor.

Each episode is 40–46 minutes long and begins with a title song that consisted of lyrical content and two verses from the [[Bhagavad Gita]].<ref name=titlesong>{{citation |title=Title Song Lyrics from the TV Series Mahabharat |url=http://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabharat-hindu-epic/ |date=21 September 2013 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318094225/http://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabharat-hindu-epic/ |archive-date=18 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The title song was sung and the verses rendered by singer [[Mahendra Kapoor]]. The title song is followed by a narration by Indian voice-artist [[Harish Bhimani]] as a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting the spiritual significance of the content of the episode. It is the most successful Mahabharata series ever produced for television.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/|title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever|website=The Financial Express}}</ref>

''[[Mahabharat Katha]]'', another part of the serial was aired on 1997 which covers all the untold stories about Karna's marriage with Padmavati, Arjuna's marriage with [[Chitrāngadā]] and [[Ulupi]], and stories about [[Ghatotkacha]], [[Barbarika]], [[Vrishaketu|Virshaketu]], [[Babruvahana]], conspiracies of Viprachitti, [[Ashvamedha|Ashwamedha Yajna]], Dushala's story and aftermath of the [[Kurukshetra War]], which are not covered in the original series.

==Premise==

The series covers the incidents of epic [[Mahabharata]] revolving around [[Krishna]], [[Pandavas]], [[Kauravas]] among other characters.

The show begins with Emperor [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]] giving more importance to 'Capacity' than to 'Birth'. He shows the birth of [[Bhishma]] and his oath, birth of Pandu, [[Dhritarashtra]] and Vidur and birth of Pandavas and Kauravas. The story then focuses on the childhood of Lord Krishna.

Elsewhere, [[Dronacharya]] teaches Pandavas and Kauravas and asks to defeat Drupad as ''Guru Dakshina''. Pandavas do so and give half of his kingdom to Drona. For revenge, [[Drupada]] obtains [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Draupadi]]. Dhritarashtra makes Yudhishthir the crown prince of Hastinapur. Shakuni (the maternal uncle of the Kauravas) and Duryodhan hatch a plan to burn Pandavas and Kunti alive, but they survive and go into incognito. Duryodhan is made crown prince of Hastinapur.

Arjuna wins Draupadi in her [[swayamvara]] but later shows her marriage with all five Pandavas. Later, [[Yudhishthir]] is made the king of Indraprastha and Pandavas conduct ''Rajsuya Yagna'' where Draupadi insults [[Duryodhana]]. Latter shows Duryodhana's revenge by trying to disrobe her and sending Pandavas along with Draupadi for an exile of 12 years and 1 year of anonymity. Duryodhana argues that the Pandavas violated the condition of anonymity in their last year of exile, therefore they must spend another 12 years in exile followed by another year of exile in anonymity. This conflict begins to sows the seed for the Mahabharata War.

Arjun and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu marries Uttara. Krishna tries to make peace between both parties. [[Indra]] in the disguise of a Brahmin took Karna's armor and earrings. Kunti's sorrow on the corpse of Karna reveals Karna's true identity of being the eldest Pandava.

Before Mahabharata War, Shri Krishna enlightens Arjuna about the "[[Bhagavad Gita]]" and showed his ''Virata Swaroopa'' to Arjuna. The latter shows the deaths of Bheeshma, Drona, Karna, Abhimanyu, Shalya, Shakuni, Jayadrata, Ghatotkacha, 100 Kauravas, 5 sons of Draupadi and many other warriors in the war leading to the victory of Pandavas over Kauravas. Gandhari holds Krishna responsible for her son's death and curses that his family will also get destroyed. The show ends with Yudhishthir's ''Rajyabhishek'' and Bhishma's death.

== Cast ==
===Main===
{{Div col}}
*[[Nitish Bharadwaj]] as [[Vasudeva Bhagwan Shree Krishna]], eighth avatar of [[Vishnu]], Devaki-Vasudev's eighth son, foster son of Nanda and Yashoda, Balaram and Subhadra's brother, Pandavas' cousin, Radha's consort, husband of Rukmini, Satyabhama and other 6 ranis, [[Rama]] in the song sabso Uchi prem sagaai
*Kewal Shah as adolescent [[Shree Krishna]]
*[[Mukesh Khanna]] as [[Bhishma Pitamah]], Shantanu-Ganga's eighth son, eighth [[Vasu]], [[Satyavati]]'s step-son, elder half-brother of [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]], paternal uncle of [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Pandu]], and [[Vidura]], paternal grand-uncle of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
* Krish Malik as adolescent [[Bhishma]]
* [[Gajendra Chauhan]] as [[Yudhishthira]], first Pandava, son of Kunti and Yama, eldest son of Kuru Clan, King of [[Indraprastha]] and later [[Hastinapura]], husband of Draupadi, father of Prativindhya
*Sonu as young [[Yudhishthira]]
*[[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] as [[Bheema]], second Pandava, son of Kunti and Vayu, [[Yuvraaj]] (crown prince) of [[Indraprastha]], husband of Draupadi and Hidimba, father of [[Ghatotkacha]], Sutasoma
*Mallik as young [[Bheema]]
*[[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun aka Firoz Khan]] as [[Arjuna]], third Pandava, son of Kunti and Indra, husband of [[Draupadi]], [[Uloopi]], [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]] and [[Subhadra]], brother-in-law of [[Balaram]] and [[Krishna]], father of [[Abhimanyu]], [[Babruvahana]], [[Iravan]] and [[Shrutakarma]]
*Ankur Javeri as young [[Arjuna]]
* [[Roopa Ganguly]] as [[Draupadi]], wife of Pandavas, also called as Panchali and Yagyaseni, younger daughter of [[Drupada]], Princess of [[Panchala]], sister of Dhrishtadhyumna and Shikhandi, mother of [[Upapandavas]]
*[[Puneet Issar]] as [[Duryodhana]], eldest son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, elder brother of 99 Kauravas, husband of Bhanumati
*Amit Shukla as young [[Duryodhan]]
* [[Pankaj Dheer]] as [[Karna]], son of Kunti and Surya, Adhiratha-Radha's foster son, King of [[Anga]]
* Harendra Paintal as young [[Karna]]
*[[Sameer Chitre]] as [[Nakula]], fourth Pandava, son of Madri and Ashwini Kumara, husband of Draupadi, father of Shatanika
*[[Sanjeev Chitre]] as [[Sahadeva]], fifth Pandava, son of Madri and Ashwini Kumara, husband of Draupadi and father of Shrutasena
*[[Vinod Kapoor]] as [[Dushasan]], second son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Duryodhan's younger brother
*Kaushal Shah as young [[Dushasana]]
*[[Gufi Paintal]] as [[Shakuni]], Gandhari's brother, later King of [[Gandhara]], maternal uncle of Duryodhan and his 99 brothers
*[[Girija Shankar]] as [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s son from Ambika (eldest), later king of [[Hastinapur]], father of Kauravas
*[[Renuka Israni]] as [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]], wife of Dhritrashtra, Queen of [[Hastinapur]], mother of Kauravas, princess of [[Gandhara]], sister of Shakuni
*[[Nazneen]] as [[Kunti]], Pandu's first wife, mother of Karna, Yudhisthira, Bheema and Arjuna, daughter of Shoorsena, Vasudev's sister, Yadava princess, foster daughter of Kuntibhoja
*[[Virendra Razdan]] as [[Vidura]], the [[prime minister|Mahaa Mantri]] of Hastinapur, son of Ambika's head maid Parishrami, fathered by [[Vyasa]], half-brother to the kings [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]] of [[Hastinapura]], uncle of [[Pandavas]] and [[Kauravas]], brother in law of Kunti
*[[Surendra Pal]] as [[Dronacharya]], [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]]' guru, Ashwatthama's father
*[[Dharmesh Tiwari]] as [[Kripacharya]], family teacher, brother of [[Kripi]], [[Ashwatthama]]'s maternal uncle
*[[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]] as [[Ashwatthama]], son of [[Dronacharya]]
*Ayush Shah as young [[Ashwatthama]]
{{div col end}}

===Recurring===
*[[Harish Bhimani]] as Samay / narrator
*Sagar Salunke as [[Balarama]], Krishna's and Subhadra's elder brother, teacher of Duryodhana, Dushasana, Bheema, husband of Devi Revati
*[[Chetan Hansraj]] as adolescent Balrama
*Aloka Mukherjee as [[Subhadra]], Arjuna's fourth wife, Abhimanyu's mother, Vasudev's and Rohini's daughter, Krishna-Balaram's younger sister, Yadava princess
*[[Raj Babbar]] as [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]], paternal ancestor of the [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]], son of King [[Dushyanta]] and [[Shakuntala]]
*[[Ashalata Wabgaonkar]] as [[Shakuntala]], Bharata's mother, King [[Dushyanta]]'s wife
*[[Rishabh Shukla]] as [[Shantanu]], descendant of King Bharata, husband of [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]] and [[Satyavati]], father of [[Bhishma]], [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]], paternal grandfather of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]], paternal great-grandfather of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
*[[Kiran Juneja]] as [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]], Shantanu's first wife, [[Bhishma Pitamah's]] mother, the holy river of [[Hindus]]
*[[Debashree Roy]] as [[Satyavati]], King Shantanu's second wife; [[Vyasa]], [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]], and [[Vichitravirya]]'s mother, [[Bhishma Pitamah's]]
step-mother, paternal grandmother of [[Dhritarashtra]], [[Pandu]], and [[Vidura]], paternal great-grandmother of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
*[[Rajesh Vivek]] as [[Maharishi]] [[Ved Vyas]], son of sage [[Parashara]] and [[Satyavati]], father of [[Dhritarashtra]], [[Pandu]] and [[Vidura]], partial incarnation of [[Vishnu]], author of [[Mahabharata]]
*[[Sudesh Berry]] as [[Vichitravirya]], Shantanu-Satyavati's second son after [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]], Bhishma's step brother, husband of [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]], father of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]], paternal grandfather of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
*Jahnavi as [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], the first princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Shikhandi]] in the next life
*Meena Chakrabarty as [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]], second princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s first queen, mother of [[Dhritarashtra]], paternal grandmother of the [[Kauravas]]
*Menaka Babbar as [[Ambalika]], third princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s second queen, mother of [[Pandu]], paternal grandmother of the [[Pandavas]]
*Tarakesh Chauhan as [[Pandu]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s son from Ambalika (the youngest wife), King of [[Hastinapur]], husband of [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]], father of [[Pandavas]]
*[[Roma Manek]] as [[Madri]], Pandu's second wife, [[Madra]] princess, mother of Nakul and Sahadev
*Asha Singh as [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Kripi|Kripi]], sister of Kripacharya, wife of Dronacharya and mother of Ashwathama
*Kamlesh Maan as [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Sulabha|Devi Sulabha]], [[Vidur]]'s wife
*[[Lalit Mohan Tiwari]] as [[Sanjaya]], Dhritarashtra's advisor and also his [[chariot]]eer
* Kapil Kumar as [[Shalya]], Madri's elder brother, King of [[Madra]]
*Shahla Khan as [[Hidimbi|Hidimbā]], Hidimb's sister, Bheem's wife, Kunti's daughter-in-law and Ghatotkacha's mother
*Razak Khan as [[Ghatotkacha]], son of [[Bhima]] and [[Hidimbi]]
*Mayur Verma (Master Mayur) as [[Abhimanyu]], son of [[Arjuna|Arjun]] and [[Subhadra]], husband of [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], father of [[Parikshit]]
*[[Varsha Usgaonkar]] as [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], Abhimanyu's wife, [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] princess, mother of [[Parikshit]]
*Dinesh Anand as [[Vikarna]], son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Duyodhan's younger brother
*Paramjeet Chima as Dashraj, [[Satyavati]]'s father
*[[Om Katare]] as [[Adhiratha]], charioteer, [[Karna]]'s foster father
*Saroj Sharma as [[Radha (Mahābhārata)|Radha]], [[Adhiratha]]'s wife, [[Karna]]'s foster mother
* Ramlal Gupta as [[Ugrasena]], King of [[Mathura]], [[Surasena]], father of Kansa and Devaki
*[[Goga Kapoor]] as [[Kansa|Kansa]], son of Ugrasena, elder brother of Devaki, maternal uncle of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]
*[[Vishnu Sharma]] as [[Vasudeva|Vasudev]], son of [[Shurasena]], brother of [[Kunti]], prince of [[Vrishni]] tribe, father of Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra, maternal uncle of the [[Pandavas]]
*Kshama Raj as [[Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)|Rohini]], Vasudeva's elder wife, mother of Balarama
*[[Sheela Sharma]] as [[Devaki]], Vasudev's younger wife, younger sister of Kansa, daughter of Ugrasena, mother of Krishna and Subhadra
*[[Rasik Dave]] as [[Nanda (Hinduism)|Nanda]], chief of [[Gokul]], foster father of Krishna
*Manju Vyas as [[Yashoda]], Nand's wife, foster mother of Krishna
*Channa Ruparel as Maharani [[Rukmini]], [[Krishna]]'s chief wife
*Parijat as Devi [[Radha]], [[Krishna]]'s consort
*[[Sumeet Raghavan]] as adolescent [[Sudama]]
*Ajay Sinha as [[Akrura|Akroor]], [[Vrishni]] chief
*Bashir Khan as [[Satyaki]], General
*[[Ashok Banthia]] as Senapati [[Kritavarma]]
*Pradeep Sharma as Panchalaraj [[Drupada]], Draupadi's father, King of [[Panchala]]
*[[Arun Bakshi]] as Yuvraaj [[Dhrishtadyumna]], Draupadi's elder brother, Prince of [[Panchala]]
*[[Paintal (comedian)|Paintal]] as [[Shikhandi]], Drupad's elder son, adult [[Sudama]]
*Ashok Sharma as [[Virata]], King of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*Chandni Sharma as [[Sudeshna]], Queen of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*[[Sameer Rajda]] as [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttar]], crown prince of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*[[Sharat Saxena]] as [[Kichaka]], Army General of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
*[[Deep Dhillon]] as [[Jayadratha]], [[Duhsala]]'s husband, Kauravas' brother-in-law of Duryodhana, King of [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhu]]
*Vikrant Mathur as Subala, [[Shakuni]]'s and [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]'s father, King of [[Gandhara]]
*[[Shivendra Mahal]] as [[Parashurama]] and [[Shiva]]
*[[Satish Kaul]] as Devraj [[Indra]]
*[[Gopi Krishna (dancer)|Gopi Krishna]] as [[Chitrasena (Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]]
*Rakesh Bidua as Kashya, King of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]]
*Rana Jung Bahadur as [[Jarasandha]], King of [[Magadha]], father-in-law of [[Kansa]]
*Karunakar Pathak as [[Shishupala]], King of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]], a maternal cousin of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]
*Pawan Shukla as Shalva Kumar, Prince of [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwa]], Princess [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]'s lover
*[[Prem Sagar]] as Rishi [[Kanva]]
*[[Pankaj Berry]] as Rishi [[Kindama]], a sage who cursed [[Pandu]]
*Mini Singh as Rishi [[Kindama]]'s wife

===Episodic appearance===
* Vikas Prasad as [[Ekalavya]]
* Randhir Singh as [[Hidimba|Hidimb]] and [[Putana]]
* Sabrina as [[Putana]] (cameo)
* [[Dara Singh]] as [[Hanuman]] (cameo)
* [[Raj Kishore]] as Rajpurohit of Panchal Kingdom (cameo)
* [[Dinesh Kaushik]] as [[Rukmi]]
* Bashir Khan as Rishi Parashar, father of Vyasa, Senapati of Hastinapura

==Episodes==

Episode 1 – Introduction of Kuru Family, Raja Bharat and Raja Shantanu

Episode 2 – Ganga Kills Her Sons

Episode 3 – Bhishma is Grown-up

Episode 4 – Bhishma Pratigya & Iccha Mrityu Vardaan

Episode 5 – Amba, Ambika and Ambalika's Introduction

Episode 6 – Birth of Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidur

Episode 7 – Introduction of Kunti, Karna's Birth-story, Dhritarashtra-Gandhari get married; Gandhari blindfolded herself; Kunti swayamvar

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

Episode 9 – Dhritarashtra is king, Pandu's sanyas and Pandavas are born.

Episode 10 – Kansa is king at Mathura and Akashwani about Krishna

Episode 11 – Birth of Balarama and Krishna

Episode 12 – Krishna Janma (birth of Krishna) celebrations and Pootna's Death

Episode 13 – Krishna Brahmand Darshan and Krishna gets caught while stealing Makhan

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

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

Episode 16 – Kansa invites Krishna to Mathura

Episode 17 – Kansa Vadh; Krishna meets his parents and grandfather

Episode 18 – Pandu and Madri's Death

Episode 19 – Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika take sanyas with Rishi Vyas

Episode 20 – Duryodhan Poisons Bhim and Bhim gets strength of 1000 Elephants

Episode 21 – Sudama's chivda story, and Drona arrives at Hastinapur

Episode 22 – Shastra Pooja, Drona insults Karna and Arjuna's test

Episode 23 – Ekalavya, Karna's education, Arjun's test of bird's eye

Episode 24 – All the Princes have grown up, and they exhibit their skills in Rangbhoomi, Karna challenges Arjuna and Duryodhana gives Anga Desh to Karna

Episode 25 – Drona's guru Dakshina to capture Dhrupad

Episode 26 – Krishna gets Sudarshana chakra from Parshuram, defeats Jarasandh and orders building Dwaraka

Episode 27 – Yudhishthira is crowned as Prince. Rukmini of Vidarbha is Being Forced to Marry Shishupal

Episode 28 – Krishna Rescues Rukmini and marry her

Episode 29 – Lakshagraha is built-in Varnavata by Purochan

Episode 30 – Tunneling in Varnavat Begins

Episode 31 – Escape from Lakshagraha

Episode 32 – Hidimb Vadh and Bhima's marriage with demoness Hidimba

Episode 33 – Bheema kills Bakasura

Episode 34 – Drishtadhyumna & Draupadi Birth and Draupadi Swayamvar

Episode 35 – Arjuna wins Draupadi and later she became the wife of the 5 Pandavas

Episode 36 – Pandavas Leave from [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|''Panchal Kingdom'']] to Hastinapur

Episode 37 – Pandavas Arrives at Hastinapur and Kingdom is divided

Episode 38 – Pandav Get Khandavprastha

Episode 39 – Coronation of Yudhirsthir, Khandavprastha Becomes Indraprastha

Episode 40 – Arjuna runs away with Subhadra

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

Episode 42 – Jarasandha Vadh, Rajsuya Yagnya begins, Shishupala's story

Episode 43 – Rajsuya Yagya, Shishupala Vadh

Episode 44 – Vyas predicts war

Episode 45 – Pandavas go to Hastinapur to gamble

Episode 46 – Yudhishthir loses Everything in the gamble

Episode 47 – Vastraharan of Draupadi

Episode 48 – Pandavas bet back everything

Episode 49 – Re-match of Dyut

Episode 50 – Vanvas Begins

Episode 51 – Gandharvas catch Duryodhan

Episode 52 – Arjuna worships Lord Indra and Lord Shiva for Divyastra and gets Pashupatastra

Episode 53 – Krishna's story of one grain of rice, Bheema meets Ghatotkacha and Hanuman, Arjun learns dance from Chitrasena

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

Episode 55 – Story of Poisoned Water and Yaksha's Questions to Yudhishthira, Abhimanyu is Grown-up

Episode 56 – Exile in Matsya Desh

Episode 57 – Karna's curse, Draupadi as Maid Sairandhri rejects Keechaka

Episode 58 – Keechaka Vadh by Bheema

Episode 59 – Kaurav Attack Matsya Desh

Episode 60 – Viraat war and clothes for Uttaraa's dolls

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

Episode 62 – Dhritarashtra does not agree and sends Sanjay

Episode 63 – Duryodhana gets Narayani Sena from Krishna, Krishna agrees to become charioteer of Arjuna

Episode 64 – Krishna Goes to Hastinapur as Shanti Doot

Episode 65 – Krishna took Virat Avtar and Indra takes Karna's Kawach and Kundala

Episode 66 – Karna's identity is disclosed

Episode 67 – Vidura resigns as prime minister, Kunti meets Karna

Episode 68 – Sanjaya gets Divya Drishti, Ulluk goes to Pandavas

Episode 69 – Duryodhana tricks Shalya to join Kauravas

Episode 70 – Shikhandi's Story of rebirth

Episode 71 – Arjuna Worships Goddess Durga, rules of war laid

Episode 72 – Kurukshetra War begins and Arjun Drops His weapons, [[Bhagavad Gita|Geeta Saar]] begins

Episode 73 – Geeta Saar continues

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

Episode 75 – Yudhishthira gets blessings, Yuyutsu changes side and war begins, Abhimanyu faces Bhishma

Episode 76 – Uttar dies, Arjuna faces Bhishma and day 2 begins

Episode 77 – Arjuna is unstoppable, 3rd day is over, 4th day begins, Bhima is surrounded, 10 Kauravas are killed, Krishna takes out his Sudarshan

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

Episode 79 – Bhishma lies on the bed of arrows, Karna meets Bhishma

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

Episode 81 – Chakra Vyuh Planned, Duryodhan Promises Susharma

Episode 82 – Abhimanyu Vadh; Uttaraa is pregnant

Episode 83 – Arjuna Vows to Kill Jayadrath and Story About Jayadratha's Curse

Episode 84 – Arjuna Breaks [[Kamal Vyuh]] to Get to Jayadratha

Episode 85 – Shri Krishna covers the Sun with his ''[[Sudarshana Chakra]]'', [[Jayadratha Vadh]]

Episode 86 – Karna kills Ghatotkacha by ''[[Shakti Astra]]''

Episode 87 – Virat and Drupad are killed, Drona Dies

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

Episode 89 – Karna's curse, Karna-Arjuna final battle, Arjuna defeats Karna to death.

Episode 90 – Shakuni Dies, Shalya dies, Duryodhan learns about Karna's truth, Yudhishthir curses All womankind, Gandhari curses Krishna & Yaduvansh, Duryodhan becomes iron bodied

Episode 91 – Balaram arrives, Bhim-Duryodhan Gada Yudh, Duryodhan fatally wounded, Balaram decides to kill Bhim

Episode 92 – Duryodhan Dies, Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritvarma remain, Ashwathamas kill the sons of Pandavas (Uppandavas) and Drishtadyumna, Ashwathama tries to kill Uttaraa's unborn son, Krishna curses Ashwatthama, Parikshit is Born

Episode 93 – Dhritarashtra-Vidur discussion about ''dharma'', Pandavas arrive at Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra Tries to kill Bhim

Episode 94 – Dhritarashtra and Gandhari ready for Vanaprasthan. Yudhisthir Becomes King of Hastinapur, Bhishma leaves his body.

==Production==
===Development===
According to production team member Kishore Malhotra, the total cost of producing the series was {{INRConvert| 9|c}}.<ref>'' Mahabharat Ki Mahabharat: The Making of B.R. Chopra's "Mahabharat"''</ref> Casting for the series began in 1986 and shooting started off in mid-1988.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat actor Puneet Issar: BR Chopra wanted me to play Bheem, I chose Duryodhan|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/mahabharat-actor-puneet-issar-br-chopra-wanted-me-to-play-bheem-i-chose-duryodhan-1671740-2020-04-27|website=India Today}}</ref> Show was shot mostly at Mumbai's Film City, and the grand battle of ''Kurukshetra'' was shot in Rajasthan, with thousands of extras to fill the screen.<ref name=":5" />

The series was initially submitted to the channel for 104 episodes which was later shortened to 94 episodes.<ref name=":6" />

===Casting===
15,000 people applied to play different roles in the Mahabharat TV series. The casting team led by [[Gufi Paintal]] shortlisted them and called around 1,500 for video screen tests<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2019-10-02|title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref> Almost all actors in the series were newcomers, barring [[Raj Babbar]] who played King Bharat, [[Debashree Roy]] who played Satyavati.<ref>{{Cite web|title=B.R. Chopra's serial 'Mahabharat' promises to be another bonanza 31101988|url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/b.r.-chopras-serial-mahabharat-promises-to-be-another-bonanza/1/329897.html|access-date=2017-04-08|website=m.indiatoday.in}}</ref> [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] was chosen by B.R. Chopra, Ravi Chopra, Pandit Narendra Sharma and Rahi Masoom Raza, to play the central role of [[Krishna]], at the age of 23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-nitish-bharadwaj-refused-to-play-krishna-dodged-br-chopra-to-avoid-screen-test/story-m4vUm8SeWSe1gAIbb0v1oL.html|title=Nitish Bharadwaj refused to play Krishna in Mahabharat|date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/janmashtami-2017-actor-nitish-bharadwaj-recollects-his-days-from-the-mahabharat/story-4QN6MWDOS51wUeMVvjKRjP.html|title=Janmashtami 2017: Actor Nitish Bharadwaj recollects his days from the Mahabharat|date=14 August 2017}}</ref> Initially, he was chosen for playing [[Vidura|Vidur]]. But [[Virendra Razdan]] was cast for it as B.R. Chopra considered Bharadwaj young to play the role.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-nitish-bharadwaj-refused-to-play-krishna-dodged-br-chopra-to-avoid-screen-test/story-m4vUm8SeWSe1gAIbb0v1oL.html|title=Mahabharat: Nitish Bharadwaj refused to play Krishna, dodged BR Chopra to avoid screen test|website=Hindustan Times|date=29 March 2020}}</ref> Then Bharadwaj was offered to play [[Nakula|Nakul]] and [[Sahadeva|Sahadev]], but he rejected and wanted to play [[Abhimanyu]]. Days later, he was called and finalized to play Krishna.<ref name=":2" /> Firoz Khan was chosen to portray the character of [[Arjuna]] (which he later adopted as his screen name, to not become confused with [[Feroz Khan (actor)|a more popular actor of the same name]]) despite being rejected in auditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/mahabharats-arjun-gets-blacklisted/article3834854.ece|title=Mahabharat's Arjun gets blacklisted!|first=Madhur|last=Tankha|date=29 August 2012|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Asian games gold medalist [[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] was selected to portray [[Bhima]] after Chopra was looking for someone "who could look the robust historical character".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/lsquoBheemrsquo-waiting-for-a-special-role/article16350038.ece|title='Bheem' waiting for a special role|date=12 January 2009|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Around six actresses were shortlisted for the role of [[Draupadi]], including [[Juhi Chawla]], who opted out of the show as she had bagged a film. [[Ramya Krishnan]] and [[Roopa Ganguly]] were the final names, and at last [[Roopa Ganguly]] was chosen, as her Hindi was good.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Juhi Chawla turned down Draupadi in Mahabharat. Then Roopa Ganguly got the role|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/tuesday-trivia-not-roopa-ganguly-but-juhi-chawla-was-the-first-choice-to-play-draupadi-in-mahabharat-1671956-2020-04-28|website=India Today}}</ref> [[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]] and [[Chunky Pandey]] were signed for the role of [[Abhimanyu]], but they opted out when they bagged films. Later, Master Mayur played the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.html|title=Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref> [[Mukesh Khanna]] who wished to play role of Arjun was initially offered the role of Duryodhan. But later he was signed for Dhronacharya.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Puneet Issar on playing Duryodhan in Mahabharat: 'My body turned black and blue after climax fight scene with Bheem'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/puneet-issar-on-playing-duryodhan-in-mahabharat-my-body-turned-black-and-blue-after-climax-fight-scene-with-bheem/story-clVOooyjbmBmQV6mDxaz9K.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=7 May 2020}}</ref> When Vijayendra Ghadge dropped his role of Bhisma, Khanna got the role of [[Bhishma]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/exclusive-mukesh-khanna-the-reruns-of-ramayan-and-mahabharat-will-help-people-like-sonakshi-sinha-who-dont-know-anything-about-mythology/photostory/74977826.cms?picid=74977940|title=Exclusive – Mukesh Khanna: The reruns of Ramayan and Mahabharat will help people like Sonakshi Sinha, who don't know anything about mythology|website=The Times of India|date=4 April 2020}}</ref> [[Puneet Issar]] was offered to play the role of Bheem but was cast as Duryodhan on his wish.<ref name=":3" /> The casting director of the show, Gufi Paintal had cast himself in the role of Shakuni.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-06|title=Mahabharat's Shakuni Mama aka Gufi Paintal remembers the show: 'Golden age of television'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-s-shakuni-mama-aka-gufi-paintal-remembers-the-show-golden-age-of-television/story-mMO8sCCmwsihwyDAZrkWSN.html|access-date=2020-07-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

== Music ==
Mahabharat's music was composed by [[Raj Kamal]] and lyrics were penned by [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]]. Some songs were taken from works of devotional writers like [[Surdas]], [[Raskhan]] etc. Apart from main songs there are also several short verses decoding summary of each episode. All those verse were sung by [[Mahendra Kapoor]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-31|title=These singers gives their voice for Mahabharata|url=https://english.newstracklive.com/news/mahabharat-br-chopra-legendary-singers-worked-in-epic-tv-show-doordarshan-sc90-nu904-ta294-1096454-1.html|access-date=2020-07-22|website=News Track|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-02|title=जानिए, महाभारत के प्रसिद्ध गीतों को किन-किन गायकों ने दी थी आवाज|url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zee-hindustan/glamour-gadgets/know-which-singers-gave-voice-to-famous-songs-of-mahabharata/690035|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Zee Hindustan}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline =
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ath Shree Mahabharat Katha (Opening Theme)
| extra1 = [[Mahendra Kapoor]]
| length1 = 04:12
| title2 = Bharat Ki Yeh Kahaani (Ending Theme)
| extra2 = [[Mahendra Kapoor]]
| length2 = 05:21
| title3 = Beet Gaye Din Par Din Beet Gaye
| extra3 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length3 = 05:23
| title4 = Govind Gokul Aayo
| extra4 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length4 = 04:49
| title5 = Jagiye Brijraj Kunwar
| extra5 = [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length5 = 04:10
| title6 = [[Main Naahin Maakhan Khaayo]]
| extra6 = [[Nitin Mukesh]]
| length6 = 05:20
| title7 = Maiya Mohi Dau Bahut Khijayo
| extra7 = [[Nitin Mukesh]]
| length7 = 04:00
| title8 = Shyam ne Murli Madhur
| extra8 = [[Suresh Wadkar]]
| length8 = 05:42
| title9 = Mor Pakha Seer Upar Rakhiyo
| extra9 = [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length9 = 04:16
| title10 = Mohan Ke Mukh Par Bansari
| extra10 = [[Raj Kamal]] and [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length10 = 07:01
| title11 = Binati Suniye Nath Hamari
| extra11 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length11 = 04:51
| title12 = Beti Chali Paraye Desh
| extra12 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length12 = 07:05
| title13 = Kripa Krishna Ki
| extra13 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length13 = 07:01
| title14 = Main Boondan Bheeji Saari
| extra14 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length14 = 04:30
| title15 = Pranay Ke Pratham Prahar Ki Baat
| extra15 = [[Anuradha Paudwal]]
| length15 = 05:20
| title16 = Samay Bada Balwaan
| extra16 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length16 = 05:17
| title17 = Jhanak Jhanak Baaje Payaliya
| extra17 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length17 = 04:51
| title18 = Manwa Madhur Madhur Kachu Bol
| extra18 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length18 = 04:04
| title19 = Naino Ke Darpan mein
| extra19 = [[Roopa Ganguly]]
| length19 = 03:27
| title20 = Sabso Onchi Prem Sagai
| extra20 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length20 = 05:44
| title21 = Yeh Dharma Yudh Hain
| extra21 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length21 = 10:30
| title22 = Hey Priyatame
| extra22 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length22 = 06:16
| all_writing =
| all_music = [[Raj Kamal]]
| total_length =
}}

==Broadcast==
In India the series was originally broadcast on [[DD National]]. It was shown in the United Kingdom by the [[BBC]],<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Genome:Mahabarat – transmission times |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?adv=0&q=Mahabharat&media=all&yf=1923&yt=2009&mf=1&mt=12&tf=00%3A00&tt=00%3A00#search |access-date=2015-10-01}}</ref> where it achieved audience figures of 5 million.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 April 2008 |title=Epic Hindi Language Series Mahabharat Launches Exclusively on Rogers OMNI Television Channels in Ontario and British Columbia |url=http://www.omnimb.ca/info/press/p_20050809.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429193553/http://www.omnimb.ca/info/press/p_20050809.shtml |archive-date=29 April 2008 |access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Mark |date=7 June 2013 |title=The Returned: how British TV viewers came to lose their fear of subtitles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/07/british-television-subititles |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> It was also the first programme broadcast on [[BBC2]] after its 1991 revamp,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gkhindinews.com/ |title=Rochak kahani mahabharat ki |publisher=Gkhindinews |date=10 February 2020 |access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> but it had also been shown late at night on [[BBC1]] the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gkhindinews/ |title=Watch Rochak kahani mahabharat ki |publisher=Gkhindinews |access-date=2020-02-11 }}</ref>

The show was again telecast on [[DD Bharati]] from 28 March 2020, on [[DD Retro]] from 13 April 2020, on [[Colors TV]] from 4 May 2020 as well as [[Star Bharat]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India|lockdown due to coronavirus]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/on-public-demand-ramayan--mahabharat-makes-comeback-during-lockdown/1782399|title=On public demand, ''Ramayan'' & ''Mahabharat'' makes comeback during lockdown|website=Outlook India|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat to air on Colors|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/mahabharat-to-air-on-colors-80194|last=Service|first=Tribune News|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>

==Reception==
Ganguly was applauded for her performance in the sequence.<ref name="TNH">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnowhindi.com/entertainment/television/article/roopa-ganguly-cried-half-an-hour-after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-in-mahabharata/288479|title=Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद आधे घंटे तक रोई थीं 'द्रौपदी' रूपा गांगुली, पहनी थीं 250 मीटर लंबी साड़ी|date=11 April 2020|website=timesnowhindi.com|language=hi|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> [[Ravi Chopra]] later disclosed that she was originally weeping while enacting in the Vastraharan sequence and the crew members had to console her later to make her stop.<ref name="TNH" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/entertainment/story-mahabharat-roopa-ganguly-cried-for-half-an-hour-after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-3156116.html|title=Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद द्रौपदी का किरदार निभाने वालीं रूपा गांगुली आधे घंटे तक रोती रही थीं|date=17 April 2020|website=livehindustan.com|language=hi|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref>|The sequence is often claimed to be the most climactic one of the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.html|title=Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988|website=Hindustan Times|date=5 May 2016|access-date=2019-05-07}}</ref> For the sequence [[Ravi Chopra|Chopra]] recreated the visual effect of the Vastraharan sequence of [[Babubhai Mistry]]'s ''[[Mahabharat (1965 film)|Mahabharat]]'' (1965) starring [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] as [[Draupadi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/mahabharat-3272|title=Mahabharat (1965) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref> His visual effects won more favour than that of the 1965 film and has still been considered by a part of critics to be the most brilliant in line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/why-the-new-mahabharat-is-an-epic-fail-1114011.html|title=Why the new Mahabharat is an epic fail- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=2013-09-17|website=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/2016/04/22/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-creation-mahabharat-came-into-being|title=Happy B'day BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat'|date=2016-04-22|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=2019-05-06}}</ref> of the most successful television series in Indian television history.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 20, 2020|first=Shweta|last=Keshri|title=Monday Masala: BR Chopra's Mahabharat is the baap of all masala entertainers|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/monday-masala-br-chopra-s-mahabharat-is-the-baap-of-masala-entertainers-1668902-2020-04-20|access-date=2020-08-05|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> In common with the "[[Ramayan (1986 TV series)|Ramayana]]" serial, the broadcasting of a Mahabharat episode was associated with the simultaneous emptying of streets in the cities and people leaving work early to watch it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/retelling-of-mahabharata-on-television-over-the-years-epic-television/article7770181.ece|title=Epic television|first=Lavanya|last=Mohan|date=16 October 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Along with general audience many big names from Hindi film industry like [[Rajesh Khanna]], [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Jeetendra]], [[ Hema Malini]] and [[Dharmendra]] also praised the show.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watch: Yesteryear superstars Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Hema Malini talk about BR Chopra's Mahabharat in this old video |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/watch-yesteryear-superstars-rajesh-khanna-dharmendra-hema-malini-talk-about-br-chopras-mahabharat-in-this-old-video/articleshow/75700630.cms|access-date=2020-07-29|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

During its rerun in [[COVID-19 lockdown in India]], it became the second most watched Indian TV show after [[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|''Ramayan'']] (1987).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/dd-emerges-as-most-watched-channel-ramayana-mahabharata-among-favourites-11586423915023.html|title=DD emerges as most watched channel; Ramayana, Mahabharata among favourites|website=Live Mint|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> In week 13, it garnered 145.8 million impressions with both morning and evening slots combined on [[DD Bharati]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/ramayan-shaktimaan-byomkesh-bakshi-make-dd-national-most-watched-channel-across-genres/398610/|title=Reruns of 1980-90s classics Ramayan, Shaktimaan, Byomkesh make DD most-watched channel|website=[[ThePrint]]|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> After ''Ramayan'' ended, ''Mahabharat'' became the most watched TV show until its end.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat becomes the most-watched show. Doordarshan witnesses major dip in ratings|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/mahabharat-becomes-the-most-watched-show-doordarshan-witnesses-major-dip-in-ratings-1680680-2020-05-22|website=India Today}}</ref> The series ended with 22.9 million viewership.<ref name=":4" />

==Home media==
The series was uploaded onto the website "Rajshri.com" along with its dubbed Tamil version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/mahabharat-on-the-net/article3231819.ece|title=Mahabharat on the net|date=22 December 2006|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Home video of the Bengali-dubbed version of this series has been released by Heart Video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/mahabharat-now-in-bengali/article2912867.ece|title=Mahabharat now in Bengali|date=20 February 2012|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> In 2019, [[Pen India Limited|Pen India Ltd]] bought the rights of the show and uploaded all the episodes on its devotional YouTube channel ''Pen Bhakti'' including its spin-off series ''[[Mahabharat Katha]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=After TV, BR Chopra's Mahabharat to be Available on YouTube As Well|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/after-tv-br-chopras-mahabharat-to-be-available-on-youtube-as-well-2560587.html|access-date=2020-07-29|website=News18|date=April 2020}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''Mahabharat'' along with ''[[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|Ramayan]]'' (1987), became one of the most successful television series based on an epic in Indian television history.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

Many actors became popular through their appearances in this series.

* [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] became famous as [[Lord Krishna]] and later he also played lead role in Chopra's another mythological show [[Vishnu Puran (TV series)|Vishnu Puran]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Television|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000123/spectrum/tv.htm|access-date=2020-06-21|website=The Tribune}}</ref>
* [[Roopa Ganguly]], who played [[Draupadi]], went on to become a successful actress in Bengali cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/bishwanath-ghosh-gajendra-chauhans-appointment-as-ftii-chairman/article7460395.ece|title=Ideology vs. stature|first=Bishwanath|last=Ghosh|date=25 July 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/no-childs-play/article7181850.ece|title=No child's play|first=Madhur|last=Tankha|date=8 May 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
* [[Pankaj Dheer]] received immense popularity after playing [[Karna]]. His pictures are used in textbooks as reference to Karna and the actor also revealed that his statues are worshipped in temples in [[Karnal]] and Batar.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 27, 2020|title=Did you know Mahabharat's Karna, Pankaj Dheer's statue is worshipped in temples in Karnal and Bastar?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/did-you-know-mahabharat-s-karna-pankaj-dheer-s-statue-is-worshipped-in-temples-in-karnal-and-bastar-1682514-2020-05-27|access-date=2020-06-21|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Firoz Khan]] changed his name to "Arjun" professionally after finding success with the role of [[Arjuna|Arjun]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-27|title=Mahabharat's Arjun Firoz Khan Says Changing His Name Gave Him Everything He'd Dreamed of|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/mahabharats-arjun-firoz-khan-says-changing-his-name-gave-him-everything-hed-dreamed-of-2594135.html|access-date=2020-06-21|website=News18}}</ref>
* [[Mukesh Khanna]], who was a not so famous actor until then, shot to fame as [[Bhishma]] and named his production company after his character.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-23 |title=Mukesh Khanna on his struggle before Mahabharat: ‘People labelled me as a flop actor, I was deeply disappointed’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mukesh-khanna-on-his-struggle-before-mahabharat-people-labelled-me-as-a-flop-actor-i-was-deeply-disappointed/story-pzaA8FtSwcAM0m0VjdKWNL.html |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0158417}}

{{B. R. Chopra}}
{{Works based on the Mahabharata |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Television series based on Mahabharata]]
[[Category:DD National original programming]]
[[Category:1988 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s Indian television series]]
[[Category:Television shows based on poems]]

Mahabharat (1988 TV series)

2023-09-21T16:38:50Z

2402:3A80:1644:306B:0:45:6379:1E01:

{{short description|1988 TV Series by B.R. Chopra based on Mahabharata}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| name = Mahabharat
| image = Mahabharat (1988) title logo screenshot.jpg
| caption =
| genre = Epic
| creator = [[B. R. Chopra]]
| based_on = ''[[Mahabharata]]'' by [[Vyasa]]
| developer =
| writer = [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]] [[Rahi Masoom Raza]]
| director = B. R. Chopra [[Ravi Chopra]]
| creative_director = Yashwant Mahilwar
| starring = [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] [[Mukesh Khanna]] [[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun]] [[Puneet Issar]] [[Gufi Paintal]] [[Roopa Ganguly]] [[Pankaj Dheer]] [[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] [[Gajendra Chauhan]]
| narrated = [[Harish Bhimani]]
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 94
| executive_producer = D.H. Vengurlekar
| producer = B. R. Chopra
| cinematography = Dharam Chopra
| editor = Shailendra Doke Birpal Singh
| screenplay = [[Rahi Masoom Raza]]
| runtime = 40-45 minutes
| first_aired = {{start date|df=y|1988|10|2}}
| last_aired = {{end date|df=y|1990|6|24}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/ |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref>
| followed_by = [[Mahabharat Katha]]
| network = [[DD National]]
| picture_format = [[576i]]
| composer = [[Raj Kamal]]
| company = B.R. Films
}}

'''''Mahabharat''''' is an Indian Hindi-language epic television series based on the ancient [[Sanskrit epic]] [[Mahabharata|of the same name]]. The original airing consisted of a total of 94 episodes<ref name=":0">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1488935/BR-Chopra |title=B.R. Chopra (Indian filmmaker) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2012-08-10}}</ref> and were broadcast from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990 on [[Doordarshan]].<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{cite book |last=McLain |first=Karline |title=India's immortal comic books: gods, kings, and other heroes |year=2009 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-22052-3 |page=46 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/iconic-mythological-series-mahabharat-to-be-re-telecast-beginning-saturday-at-12-and-7-pm/articleshow/74852492.cms|title=Iconic mythological series 'Mahabharat' to be re-telecast beginning Saturday at 12 and 7 PM|website=The Times of India}}</ref> It was produced by [[B. R. Chopra]] and directed by his son, [[Ravi Chopra]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/tv/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-creation-mahabharat-came-into-being|title=Remembering BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat'|website=The Quint|date=22 April 2016}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Raj Kamal]]. The script was written by [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]] and the Hindi/Urdu poet [[Rahi Masoom Raza]], based on the epic by Maharishi[[Vyasa]]. Costumes for the series were provided by [[Maganlal Dresswala]].<ref name="tri">{{cite news |title=Behind the scenes: Dress designers to actors & deities |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030420/spectrum/main5.htm |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date= 20 April 2003 |access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> The serial claims to have used the Critical Edition of [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]] as its basic source with [[Vishnu Sitaram Sukthankar]] and Shripad Krishna Belwalkar as its primary editor.

Each episode is 40–46 minutes long and begins with a title song that consisted of lyrical content and two verses from the [[Bhagavad Gita]].<ref name=titlesong>{{citation |title=Title Song Lyrics from the TV Series Mahabharat |url=http://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabharat-hindu-epic/ |date=21 September 2013 |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318094225/http://www.talkativeman.com/title-song-from-the-tv-series-mahabharat-hindu-epic/ |archive-date=18 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The title song was sung and the verses rendered by singer [[Mahendra Kapoor]]. The title song is followed by a narration by Indian voice-artist [[Harish Bhimani]] as a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting the spiritual significance of the content of the episode. It is the most successful Mahabharata series ever produced for television.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/|title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever|website=The Financial Express}}</ref>

''[[Mahabharat Katha]]'', another part of the serial was aired on 1997 which covers all the untold stories about Karna's marriage with Padmavati, Arjuna's marriage with [[Chitrāngadā]] and [[Ulupi]], and stories about [[Ghatotkacha]], [[Barbarika]], [[Vrishaketu|Virshaketu]], [[Babruvahana]], conspiracies of Viprachitti, [[Ashvamedha|Ashwamedha Yajna]], Dushala's story and aftermath of the [[Kurukshetra War]], which are not covered in the original series.

==Premise==

The series covers the incidents of epic [[Mahabharata]] revolving around [[Krishna]], [[Pandavas]], [[Kauravas]] among other characters.

The show begins with Emperor [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]] giving more importance to 'Capacity' than to 'Birth'. He shows the birth of [[Bhishma]] and his oath, birth of Pandu, [[Dhritarashtra]] and Vidur and birth of Pandavas and Kauravas. The story then focuses on the childhood of Lord Krishna.

Elsewhere, [[Dronacharya]] teaches Pandavas and Kauravas and asks to defeat Drupad as ''Guru Dakshina''. Pandavas do so and give half of his kingdom to Drona. For revenge, [[Drupada]] obtains [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Draupadi]]. Dhritarashtra makes Yudhishthir the crown prince of Hastinapur. Shakuni (the maternal uncle of the Kauravas) and Duryodhan hatch a plan to burn Pandavas and Kunti alive, but they survive and go into incognito. Duryodhan is made crown prince of Hastinapur.

Arjuna wins Draupadi in her [[swayamvara]] but later shows her marriage with all five Pandavas. Later, [[Yudhishthir]] is made the king of Indraprastha and Pandavas conduct ''Rajsuya Yagna'' where Draupadi insults [[Duryodhana]]. Latter shows Duryodhana's revenge by trying to disrobe her and sending Pandavas along with Draupadi for an exile of 12 years and 1 year of anonymity. Duryodhana argues that the Pandavas violated the condition of anonymity in their last year of exile, therefore they must spend another 12 years in exile followed by another year of exile in anonymity. This conflict begins to sows the seed for the Mahabharata War.

Arjun and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu marries Uttara. Krishna tries to make peace between both parties. [[Indra]] in the disguise of a Brahmin took Karna's armor and earrings. Kunti's sorrow on the corpse of Karna reveals Karna's true identity of being the eldest Pandava.

Before Mahabharata War, Shri Krishna enlightens Arjuna about the "[[Bhagavad Gita]]" and showed his ''Virata Swaroopa'' to Arjuna. The latter shows the deaths of Bheeshma, Drona, Karna, Abhimanyu, Shalya, Shakuni, Jayadrata, Ghatotkacha, 100 Kauravas, 5 sons of Draupadi and many other warriors in the war leading to the victory of Pandavas over Kauravas. Gandhari holds Krishna responsible for her son's death and curses that his family will also get destroyed. The show ends with Yudhishthir's ''Rajyabhishek'' and Bhishma's death.

== Cast ==
===Main===
{{Div col}}
*[[Nitish Bharadwaj]] as [[Krishna]], eighth avatar of [[Vishnu]], Devaki-Vasudev's eighth son, foster son of Nanda and Yashoda, Balaram and Subhadra's brother, Pandavas' cousin, Radha's consort, husband of Rukmini, Satyabhama and other 6 rani, [[Rama]] in the song sabso Uchi prem sagaai
*Kewal Shah as adolescent [[Krishna]]
*[[Mukesh Khanna]] as [[Bhishma Pitamah]], Shantanu-Ganga's eighth son, eighth [[Vasu]], [[Satyavati]]'s step-son, elder half-brother of [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]], paternal uncle of [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Pandu]], and [[Vidura]], paternal grand-uncle of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
* Krish Malik as adolescent [[Bhishma]]
* [[Gajendra Chauhan]] as [[Yudhishthira]], first Pandava, son of Kunti and Yama, eldest son of Kuru Clan, King of [[Indraprastha]] and later [[Hastinapura]], husband of Draupadi, father of Prativindhya
*Sonu as young [[Yudhishthira]]
*[[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] as [[Bheema]], second Pandava, son of Kunti and Vayu, [[Yuvraaj]] (crown prince) of [[Indraprastha]], husband of Draupadi and Hidimba, father of [[Ghatotkacha]], Sutasoma
*Mallik as young [[Bheema]]
*[[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun aka Firoz Khan]] as [[Arjuna]], third Pandava, son of Kunti and Indra, husband of [[Draupadi]], [[Uloopi]], [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]] and [[Subhadra]], brother-in-law of [[Balaram]] and [[Krishna]], father of [[Abhimanyu]], [[Babruvahana]], [[Iravan]] and [[Shrutakarma]]
*Ankur Javeri as young [[Arjuna]]
* [[Roopa Ganguly]] as [[Draupadi]], wife of Pandavas, also called as Panchali and Yagyaseni, younger daughter of [[Drupada]], Princess of [[Panchala]], sister of Dhrishtadhyumna and Shikhandi, mother of [[Upapandavas]]
*[[Puneet Issar]] as [[Duryodhana]], eldest son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, elder brother of 99 Kauravas, husband of Bhanumati
*Amit Shukla as young [[Duryodhan]]
* [[Pankaj Dheer]] as [[Karna]], son of Kunti and Surya, Adhiratha-Radha's foster son, King of [[Anga]]
* Harendra Paintal as young [[Karna]]
*[[Sameer Chitre]] as [[Nakul]], fourth Pandava, son of Madri and Ashwini Kumara, husband of Draupadi, father of Shatanika
*[[Sanjeev Chitre]] as [[Sahadeva]], fifth Pandava, son of Madri and Ashwini Kumara, husband of Draupadi and father of Shrutasena
*[[Vinod Kapoor]] as [[Dushasan]], second son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Duryodhan's younger brother
*Kaushal Shah as young [[Dushasana]]
*[[Gufi Paintal]] as [[Shakuni]], Gandhari's brother, later King of [[Gandhara]], maternal uncle of Duryodhan and his 99 brothers
*[[Girija Shankar]] as [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s son from Ambika (eldest), later king of [[Hastinapur]], father of Kauravas
*[[Renuka Israni]] as [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]], wife of Dhritrashtra, Queen of [[Hastinapur]], mother of Kauravas, princess of [[Gandhara]], sister of Shakuni
*[[Nazneen]] as [[Kunti]], Pandu's first wife, mother of Karna, Yudhisthira, Bheema and Arjuna, daughter of Shoorsena, Vasudev's sister, Yadava princess, foster daughter of Kuntibhoja
*[[Virendra Razdan]] as [[Vidura]], the [[prime minister|Mahaa Mantri]] of Hastinapur, son of Ambika's head maid Parishrami, fathered by [[Vyasa]], half-brother to the kings [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]] of [[Hastinapura]], uncle of [[Pandavas]] and [[Kauravas]], brother in law of Kunti
*[[Surendra Pal]] as [[Dronacharya]], [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]]' guru, Ashwatthama's father
*[[Dharmesh Tiwari]] as [[Kripacharya]], family teacher, brother of [[Kripi]], [[Ashwatthama]]'s maternal uncle
*[[Pradeep Rawat (actor)|Pradeep Rawat]] as [[Ashwatthama]], son of [[Dronacharya]]
*Ayush Shah as young [[Ashwatthama]]
{{div col end}}

===Recurring===
* [[Harish Bhimani]] as Samay / narrator
* Sagar Salunke as [[Balarama]], Krishna's elder half brother
** [[Chetan Hansraj]] as adolescent Balram
* Aloka Mukherjee as [[Subhadra]], Arjuna's fourth wife, Abhimanyu's mother, Vasudev's and Rohini's daughter, Krishna-Balaram's younger sister, Yadava princess
* [[Raj Babbar]] as [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]], paternal ancestor of the [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]], son of King [[Dushyanta]] and [[Shakuntala]]
* [[Ashalata Wabgaonkar]] as [[Shakuntala]], Bharata's mother, King [[Dushyanta]]'s wife
* [[Rishabh Shukla]] as [[Shantanu]], descendant of King Bharata, husband of [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]] and [[Satyavati]], father of [[Bhishma]], [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]], paternal grandfather of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]], paternal great-grandfather of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
* [[Kiran Juneja]] as [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]], Shantanu's first wife, [[Bhishma]]'s mother, the holy river of [[Hindus]]
* [[Debashree Roy]] as [[Satyavati]], King Shantanu's second wife; [[Vyasa]], [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]], and [[Vichitravirya]]'s mother, [[Bhishma]]'s step-mother, paternal grandmother of [[Dhritarashtra]], [[Pandu]], and [[Vidur]], paternal great-grandmother of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
* [[Rajesh Vivek]] as [[Maharishi]] [[Ved Vyas]], son of sage [[Parashara]] and [[Satyavati]], father of [[Dhritarashtra]], [[Pandu]] and [[Vidura]], partial incarnation of [[Vishnu]], author of [[Mahabharata]]
* [[Sudesh Berry]] as [[Vichitravirya]], Shantanu-Satyavati's second son after [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]], Bhisma's step brother, husband of [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]], father of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Pandu]], paternal grandfather of the [[Kauravas]] and the [[Pandavas]]
* Jahnavi as [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], the first princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Shikhandi]] in the next life
* Meena Chakrabarty as [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]], second princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s first queen, mother of [[Dhritarashtra]], paternal grandmother of the [[Kauravas]]
* Menaka Babbar as [[Ambalika]], third princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s second queen, mother of [[Pandu]], paternal grandmother of the [[Pandavas]]
* Tarakesh Chauhan as [[Pandu]], [[Vichitravirya]]'s son from Ambalika (the youngest wife), King of [[Hastinapur]], husband of [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]], father of [[Pandavas]]
* [[Roma Manek]] as [[Madri]], Pandu's second wife, [[Madra]] princess, mother of Nakul and Sahadev
* Asha Singh as [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Kripi|Kripi]], sister of Kripacharya, wife of Dronacharya and mother of Ashwathama
* Kamlesh Maan as [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Sulabha|Devi Sulabha]], [[Vidur]]'s wife
* [[Lalit Mohan Tiwari]] as [[Sanjaya]], Dhritarashtra's advisor and also his [[chariot]]eer
* Kapil Kumar as [[Shalya]], Madri's elder brother, King of [[Madra]]
* Shahla Khan as [[Hidimbi|Hidimbā]], Hidimb's sister, Bheem's wife, Kunti's daughter-in-law and Ghatotkacha's mother
* Razak Khan as [[Ghatotkacha]], son of [[Bhima]] and [[Hidimbi]]
* Mayur Verma (Master Mayur) as [[Abhimanyu]], son of [[Arjuna|Arjun]] and [[Subhadra]], husband of [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], father of [[Parikshit]]
* [[Varsha Usgaonkar]] as [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], Abhimanyu's wife, [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] princess, mother of [[Parikshit]]
* Dinesh Anand as [[Vikarna]], son of Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Duyodhan's younger brother
* Paramjeet Chima as Dashraj, [[Satyavati]]'s father
* [[Om Katare]] as [[Adhiratha]], charioteer, [[Karna]]'s foster father
* Saroj Sharma as [[Radha (Mahābhārata)|Radha]], [[Adhiratha]]'s wife, [[Karna]]'s foster mother
* Ramlal Gupta as [[Ugrasena]], King of [[Mathura]], [[Surasena]], father of Kansa and Devaki
* [[Goga Kapoor]] as [[Kamsa|Kansa]], son of Ugrasena, elder brother of Devaki, maternal uncle of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]
* [[Vishnu Sharma]] as [[Vasudeva|Vasudev]], son of [[Shurasena]], brother of [[Kunti]], prince of [[Vrishni]] tribe, father of Balarama, Krishna, and Subhadra, maternal uncle of the [[Pandavas]]
* Kshama Raj as [[Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)|Rohini]], Vasudeva's elder wife, mother of Balarama
* [[Sheela Sharma]] as [[Devaki]], Vasudev's younger wife, younger sister of Kansa, daughter of Ugrasena, mother of Krishna and Subhadra
* [[Rasik Dave]] as [[Nanda (Hinduism)|Nanda]], chief of [[Gokul]], foster father of Krishna
* Manju Vyas as [[Yashoda]], Nand's wife, foster mother of Krishna
* Channa Ruparel as Maharani [[Rukmini]], [[Krishna]]'s chief wife
* Parijat as Devi [[Radha]], [[Krishna]]'s consort
*[[Sumeet Raghavan]] as adolescent [[Sudama]]
* Ajay Sinha as [[Akrura|Akroor]], [[Vrishni]] chief
* Bashir Khan as [[Satyaki]], General
* [[Ashok Banthia]] as Senapati [[Kritavarma]]
* Pradeep Sharma as Panchalaraj [[Drupada]], Draupadi's father, King of [[Panchala]]
* [[Arun Bakshi]] as Yuvraaj [[Dhrishtadyumna]], Draupadi's elder brother, Prince of [[Panchala]]
* [[Paintal (comedian)|Paintal]] as [[Shikhandi]], Drupad's elder son, adult [[Sudama]]
* Ashok Sharma as [[Virata]], King of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
* Chandni Sharma as [[Sudeshna]], Queen of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
* [[Sameer Rajda]] as [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttar]], crown prince of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
* [[Sharat Saxena]] as [[Kichaka]], Army General of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]
* [[Deep Dhillon]] as [[Jayadratha]], [[Duhsala]]'s husband, Kauravas' brother-in-law, King of [[Sindhu Kingdom|Sindhu]]
* Vikrant Mathur as Subala, [[Shakuni]]'s and [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]'s father, King of [[Gandhara]]
* [[Shivendra Mahal]] as [[Parashurama]] and [[Shiva]]
* [[Satish Kaul]] as Devraj [[Indra]]
* [[Gopi Krishna (dancer)|Gopi Krishna]] as [[Chitrasena (Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]]
* Rakesh Bidua as Kashya, King of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]]
* Rana Jung Bahadur as [[Jarasandha]], King of [[Magadha]], father-in-law of [[Kamsa]]
* Karunakar Pathak as [[Shishupala]], King of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]], a maternal cousin of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]
* Pawan Shukla as Shalva Kumar, Prince of [[Salwa Kingdom|Salwa]], Princess [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]'s lover
* [[Prem Sagar]] as Rishi [[Kanva]]
* [[Pankaj Berry]] as Rishi [[Kindama]], a sage who cursed [[Pandu]]
* Mini Singh as Rishi [[Kindama]]'s wife

===Episodic appearance===
* Vikas Prasad as [[Ekalavya]]
* Randhir Singh as [[Hidimba|Hidimb]] and [[Putana]]
* Sabrina as [[Putana]] (cameo)
* [[Dara Singh]] as [[Hanuman]] (cameo)
* [[Raj Kishore]] as Rajpurohit of Panchal Kingdom (cameo)
* [[Dinesh Kaushik]] as [[Rukmi]]
* Bashir Khan as Rishi Parashar, father of Vyasa, Senapati of Hastinapura

==Episodes==

Episode 1 – Introduction of Kuru Family, Raja Bharat and Raja Shantanu

Episode 2 – Ganga Kills Her Sons

Episode 3 – Bhishma is Grown-up

Episode 4 – Bhishma Pratigya & Iccha Mrityu Vardaan

Episode 5 – Amba, Ambika and Ambalika's Introduction

Episode 6 – Birth of Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidur

Episode 7 – Introduction of Kunti, Karna's Birth-story, Dhritarashtra-Gandhari get married; Gandhari blindfolded herself; Kunti swayamvar

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

Episode 9 – Dhritarashtra is king, Pandu's sanyas and Pandavas are born.

Episode 10 – Kansa is king at Mathura and Akashwani about Krishna

Episode 11 – Birth of Balarama and Krishna

Episode 12 – Krishna Janma (birth of Krishna) celebrations and Pootna's Death

Episode 13 – Krishna Brahmand Darshan and Krishna gets caught while stealing Makhan

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

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

Episode 16 – Kansa invites Krishna to Mathura

Episode 17 – Kansa Vadh; Krishna meets his parents and grandfather

Episode 18 – Pandu and Madri's Death

Episode 19 – Satyavati, Ambika and Ambalika take sanyas with Rishi Vyas

Episode 20 – Duryodhan Poisons Bhim and Bhim gets strength of 1000 Elephants

Episode 21 – Sudama's chivda story, and Drona arrives at Hastinapur

Episode 22 – Shastra Pooja, Drona insults Karna and Arjuna's test

Episode 23 – Ekalavya, Karna's education, Arjun's test of bird's eye

Episode 24 – All the Princes have grown up, and they exhibit their skills in Rangbhoomi, Karna challenges Arjuna and Duryodhana gives Anga Desh to Karna

Episode 25 – Drona's guru Dakshina to capture Dhrupad

Episode 26 – Krishna gets Sudarshana chakra from Parshuram, defeats Jarasandh and orders building Dwaraka

Episode 27 – Yudhishthira is crowned as Prince. Rukmini of Vidarbha is Being Forced to Marry Shishupal

Episode 28 – Krishna Rescues Rukmini and marry her

Episode 29 – Lakshagraha is built-in Varnavata by Purochan

Episode 30 – Tunneling in Varnavat Begins

Episode 31 – Escape from Lakshagraha

Episode 32 – Hidimb Vadh and Bhima's marriage with demoness Hidimba

Episode 33 – Bheema kills Bakasura

Episode 34 – Drishtadhyumna & Draupadi Birth and Draupadi Swayamvar

Episode 35 – Arjuna wins Draupadi and later she became the wife of the 5 Pandavas

Episode 36 – Pandavas Leave from [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|''Panchal Kingdom'']] to Hastinapur

Episode 37 – Pandavas Arrives at Hastinapur and Kingdom is divided

Episode 38 – Pandav Get Khandavprastha

Episode 39 – Coronation of Yudhirsthir, Khandavprastha Becomes Indraprastha

Episode 40 – Arjuna runs away with Subhadra

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

Episode 42 – Jarasandha Vadh, Rajsuya Yagnya begins, Shishupala's story

Episode 43 – Rajsuya Yagya, Shishupala Vadh

Episode 44 – Vyas predicts war

Episode 45 – Pandavas go to Hastinapur to gamble

Episode 46 – Yudhishthir loses Everything in the gamble

Episode 47 – Vastraharan of Draupadi

Episode 48 – Pandavas bet back everything

Episode 49 – Re-match of Dyut

Episode 50 – Vanvas Begins

Episode 51 – Gandharvas catch Duryodhan

Episode 52 – Arjuna worships Lord Indra and Lord Shiva for Divyastra and gets Pashupatastra

Episode 53 – Krishna's story of one grain of rice, Bheema meets Ghatotkacha and Hanuman, Arjun learns dance from Chitrasena

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

Episode 55 – Story of Poisoned Water and Yaksha's Questions to Yudhishthira, Abhimanyu is Grown-up

Episode 56 – Exile in Matsya Desh

Episode 57 – Karna's curse, Draupadi as Maid Sairandhri rejects Keechaka

Episode 58 – Keechaka Vadh by Bheema

Episode 59 – Kaurav Attack Matsya Desh

Episode 60 – Viraat war and clothes for Uttaraa's dolls

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

Episode 62 – Dhritarashtra does not agree and sends Sanjay

Episode 63 – Duryodhana gets Narayani Sena from Krishna, Krishna agrees to become charioteer of Arjuna

Episode 64 – Krishna Goes to Hastinapur as Shanti Doot

Episode 65 – Krishna took Virat Avtar and Indra takes Karna's Kawach and Kundala

Episode 66 – Karna's identity is disclosed

Episode 67 – Vidura resigns as prime minister, Kunti meets Karna

Episode 68 – Sanjaya gets Divya Drishti, Ulluk goes to Pandavas

Episode 69 – Duryodhana tricks Shalya to join Kauravas

Episode 70 – Shikhandi's Story of rebirth

Episode 71 – Arjuna Worships Goddess Durga, rules of war laid

Episode 72 – Kurukshetra War begins and Arjun Drops His weapons, [[Bhagavad Gita|Geeta Saar]] begins

Episode 73 – Geeta Saar continues

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

Episode 75 – Yudhishthira gets blessings, Yuyutsu changes side and war begins, Abhimanyu faces Bhishma

Episode 76 – Uttar dies, Arjuna faces Bhishma and day 2 begins

Episode 77 – Arjuna is unstoppable, 3rd day is over, 4th day begins, Bhima is surrounded, 10 Kauravas are killed, Krishna takes out his Sudarshan

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

Episode 79 – Bhishma lies on the bed of arrows, Karna meets Bhishma

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

Episode 81 – Chakra Vyuh Planned, Duryodhan Promises Susharma

Episode 82 – Abhimanyu Vadh; Uttaraa is pregnant

Episode 83 – Arjuna Vows to Kill Jayadrath and Story About Jayadratha's Curse

Episode 84 – Arjuna Breaks [[Kamal Vyuh]] to Get to Jayadratha

Episode 85 – Shri Krishna covers the Sun with his ''[[Sudarshana Chakra]]'', [[Jayadratha Vadh]]

Episode 86 – Karna kills Ghatotkacha by ''[[Shakti Astra]]''

Episode 87 – Virat and Drupad are killed, Drona Dies

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

Episode 89 – Karna's curse, Karna-Arjuna final battle, Arjuna defeats Karna to death.

Episode 90 – Shakuni Dies, Shalya dies, Duryodhan learns about Karna's truth, Yudhishthir curses All womankind, Gandhari curses Krishna & Yaduvansh, Duryodhan becomes iron bodied

Episode 91 – Balaram arrives, Bhim-Duryodhan Gada Yudh, Duryodhan fatally wounded, Balaram decides to kill Bhim

Episode 92 – Duryodhan Dies, Ashwatthama, Kripa and Kritvarma remain, Ashwathamas kill the sons of Pandavas (Uppandavas) and Drishtadyumna, Ashwathama tries to kill Uttaraa's unborn son, Krishna curses Ashwatthama, Parikshit is Born

Episode 93 – Dhritarashtra-Vidur discussion about ''dharma'', Pandavas arrive at Hastinapur, Dhritarashtra Tries to kill Bhim

Episode 94 – Dhritarashtra and Gandhari ready for Vanaprasthan. Yudhisthir Becomes King of Hastinapur, Bhishma leaves his body.

==Production==
===Development===
According to production team member Kishore Malhotra, the total cost of producing the series was {{INRConvert| 9|c}}.<ref>'' Mahabharat Ki Mahabharat: The Making of B.R. Chopra's "Mahabharat"''</ref> Casting for the series began in 1986 and shooting started off in mid-1988.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat actor Puneet Issar: BR Chopra wanted me to play Bheem, I chose Duryodhan|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/mahabharat-actor-puneet-issar-br-chopra-wanted-me-to-play-bheem-i-chose-duryodhan-1671740-2020-04-27|website=India Today}}</ref> Show was shot mostly at Mumbai's Film City, and the grand battle of ''Kurukshetra'' was shot in Rajasthan, with thousands of extras to fill the screen.<ref name=":5" />

The series was initially submitted to the channel for 104 episodes which was later shortened to 94 episodes.<ref name=":6" />

===Casting===
15,000 people applied to play different roles in the Mahabharat TV series. The casting team led by [[Gufi Paintal]] shortlisted them and called around 1,500 for video screen tests<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2019-10-02|title=31 years of Mahabharat on Doordarshan: Interesting facts about one of most popular TV shows ever|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/31-years-of-mahabharat-on-doordarshan-know-interesting-facts-about-one-of-most-popular-tv-shows-ever/1724556/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref> Almost all actors in the series were newcomers, barring [[Raj Babbar]] who played King Bharat, [[Debashree Roy]] who played Satyavati.<ref>{{Cite web|title=B.R. Chopra's serial 'Mahabharat' promises to be another bonanza 31101988|url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/b.r.-chopras-serial-mahabharat-promises-to-be-another-bonanza/1/329897.html|access-date=2017-04-08|website=m.indiatoday.in}}</ref> [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] was chosen by B.R. Chopra, Ravi Chopra, Pandit Narendra Sharma and Rahi Masoom Raza, to play the central role of [[Krishna]], at the age of 23.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-nitish-bharadwaj-refused-to-play-krishna-dodged-br-chopra-to-avoid-screen-test/story-m4vUm8SeWSe1gAIbb0v1oL.html|title=Nitish Bharadwaj refused to play Krishna in Mahabharat|date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/janmashtami-2017-actor-nitish-bharadwaj-recollects-his-days-from-the-mahabharat/story-4QN6MWDOS51wUeMVvjKRjP.html|title=Janmashtami 2017: Actor Nitish Bharadwaj recollects his days from the Mahabharat|date=14 August 2017}}</ref> Initially, he was chosen for playing [[Vidura|Vidur]]. But [[Virendra Razdan]] was cast for it as B.R. Chopra considered Bharadwaj young to play the role.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-nitish-bharadwaj-refused-to-play-krishna-dodged-br-chopra-to-avoid-screen-test/story-m4vUm8SeWSe1gAIbb0v1oL.html|title=Mahabharat: Nitish Bharadwaj refused to play Krishna, dodged BR Chopra to avoid screen test|website=Hindustan Times|date=29 March 2020}}</ref> Then Bharadwaj was offered to play [[Nakula|Nakul]] and [[Sahadeva|Sahadev]], but he rejected and wanted to play [[Abhimanyu]]. Days later, he was called and finalized to play Krishna.<ref name=":2" /> Firoz Khan was chosen to portray the character of [[Arjuna]] (which he later adopted as his screen name, to not become confused with [[Feroz Khan (actor)|a more popular actor of the same name]]) despite being rejected in auditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/mahabharats-arjun-gets-blacklisted/article3834854.ece|title=Mahabharat's Arjun gets blacklisted!|first=Madhur|last=Tankha|date=29 August 2012|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Asian games gold medalist [[Praveen Kumar Sobti|Praveen Kumar]] was selected to portray [[Bhima]] after Chopra was looking for someone "who could look the robust historical character".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/lsquoBheemrsquo-waiting-for-a-special-role/article16350038.ece|title='Bheem' waiting for a special role|date=12 January 2009|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Around six actresses were shortlisted for the role of [[Draupadi]], including [[Juhi Chawla]], who opted out of the show as she had bagged a film. [[Ramya Krishnan]] and [[Roopa Ganguly]] were the final names, and at last [[Roopa Ganguly]] was chosen, as her Hindi was good.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Juhi Chawla turned down Draupadi in Mahabharat. Then Roopa Ganguly got the role|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/tuesday-trivia-not-roopa-ganguly-but-juhi-chawla-was-the-first-choice-to-play-draupadi-in-mahabharat-1671956-2020-04-28|website=India Today}}</ref> [[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]] and [[Chunky Pandey]] were signed for the role of [[Abhimanyu]], but they opted out when they bagged films. Later, Master Mayur played the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.html|title=Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref> [[Mukesh Khanna]] who wished to play role of Arjun was initially offered the role of Duryodhan. But later he was signed for Dhronacharya.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Puneet Issar on playing Duryodhan in Mahabharat: 'My body turned black and blue after climax fight scene with Bheem'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/puneet-issar-on-playing-duryodhan-in-mahabharat-my-body-turned-black-and-blue-after-climax-fight-scene-with-bheem/story-clVOooyjbmBmQV6mDxaz9K.html|website=Hindustan Times|date=7 May 2020}}</ref> When Vijayendra Ghadge dropped his role of Bhisma, Khanna got the role of [[Bhishma]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/exclusive-mukesh-khanna-the-reruns-of-ramayan-and-mahabharat-will-help-people-like-sonakshi-sinha-who-dont-know-anything-about-mythology/photostory/74977826.cms?picid=74977940|title=Exclusive – Mukesh Khanna: The reruns of Ramayan and Mahabharat will help people like Sonakshi Sinha, who don't know anything about mythology|website=The Times of India|date=4 April 2020}}</ref> [[Puneet Issar]] was offered to play the role of Bheem but was cast as Duryodhan on his wish.<ref name=":3" /> The casting director of the show, Gufi Paintal had cast himself in the role of Shakuni.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-06|title=Mahabharat's Shakuni Mama aka Gufi Paintal remembers the show: 'Golden age of television'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mahabharat-s-shakuni-mama-aka-gufi-paintal-remembers-the-show-golden-age-of-television/story-mMO8sCCmwsihwyDAZrkWSN.html|access-date=2020-07-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

== Music ==
Mahabharat's music was composed by [[Raj Kamal]] and lyrics were penned by [[Pandit Narendra Sharma]]. Some songs were taken from works of devotional writers like [[Surdas]], [[Raskhan]] etc. Apart from main songs there are also several short verses decoding summary of each episode. All those verse were sung by [[Mahendra Kapoor]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-31|title=These singers gives their voice for Mahabharata|url=https://english.newstracklive.com/news/mahabharat-br-chopra-legendary-singers-worked-in-epic-tv-show-doordarshan-sc90-nu904-ta294-1096454-1.html|access-date=2020-07-22|website=News Track|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-02|title=जानिए, महाभारत के प्रसिद्ध गीतों को किन-किन गायकों ने दी थी आवाज|url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zee-hindustan/glamour-gadgets/know-which-singers-gave-voice-to-famous-songs-of-mahabharata/690035|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Zee Hindustan}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline =
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Ath Shree Mahabharat Katha (Opening Theme)
| extra1 = [[Mahendra Kapoor]]
| length1 = 04:12
| title2 = Bharat Ki Yeh Kahaani (Ending Theme)
| extra2 = [[Mahendra Kapoor]]
| length2 = 05:21
| title3 = Beet Gaye Din Par Din Beet Gaye
| extra3 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length3 = 05:23
| title4 = Govind Gokul Aayo
| extra4 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length4 = 04:49
| title5 = Jagiye Brijraj Kunwar
| extra5 = [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length5 = 04:10
| title6 = [[Main Naahin Maakhan Khaayo]]
| extra6 = [[Nitin Mukesh]]
| length6 = 05:20
| title7 = Maiya Mohi Dau Bahut Khijayo
| extra7 = [[Nitin Mukesh]]
| length7 = 04:00
| title8 = Shyam ne Murli Madhur
| extra8 = [[Suresh Wadkar]]
| length8 = 05:42
| title9 = Mor Pakha Seer Upar Rakhiyo
| extra9 = [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length9 = 04:16
| title10 = Mohan Ke Mukh Par Bansari
| extra10 = [[Raj Kamal]] and [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| length10 = 07:01
| title11 = Binati Suniye Nath Hamari
| extra11 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length11 = 04:51
| title12 = Beti Chali Paraye Desh
| extra12 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length12 = 07:05
| title13 = Kripa Krishna Ki
| extra13 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length13 = 07:01
| title14 = Main Boondan Bheeji Saari
| extra14 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length14 = 04:30
| title15 = Pranay Ke Pratham Prahar Ki Baat
| extra15 = [[Anuradha Paudwal]]
| length15 = 05:20
| title16 = Samay Bada Balwaan
| extra16 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length16 = 05:17
| title17 = Jhanak Jhanak Baaje Payaliya
| extra17 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length17 = 04:51
| title18 = Manwa Madhur Madhur Kachu Bol
| extra18 = [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length18 = 04:04
| title19 = Naino Ke Darpan mein
| extra19 = [[Roopa Ganguly]]
| length19 = 03:27
| title20 = Sabso Onchi Prem Sagai
| extra20 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length20 = 05:44
| title21 = Yeh Dharma Yudh Hain
| extra21 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length21 = 10:30
| title22 = Hey Priyatame
| extra22 = [[Raj Kamal]]
| length22 = 06:16
| all_writing =
| all_music = [[Raj Kamal]]
| total_length =
}}

==Broadcast==
In India the series was originally broadcast on [[DD National]]. It was shown in the United Kingdom by the [[BBC]],<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Genome:Mahabarat – transmission times |url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?adv=0&q=Mahabharat&media=all&yf=1923&yt=2009&mf=1&mt=12&tf=00%3A00&tt=00%3A00#search |access-date=2015-10-01}}</ref> where it achieved audience figures of 5 million.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 April 2008 |title=Epic Hindi Language Series Mahabharat Launches Exclusively on Rogers OMNI Television Channels in Ontario and British Columbia |url=http://www.omnimb.ca/info/press/p_20050809.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429193553/http://www.omnimb.ca/info/press/p_20050809.shtml |archive-date=29 April 2008 |access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Mark |date=7 June 2013 |title=The Returned: how British TV viewers came to lose their fear of subtitles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jun/07/british-television-subititles |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> It was also the first programme broadcast on [[BBC2]] after its 1991 revamp,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gkhindinews.com/ |title=Rochak kahani mahabharat ki |publisher=Gkhindinews |date=10 February 2020 |access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> but it had also been shown late at night on [[BBC1]] the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gkhindinews/ |title=Watch Rochak kahani mahabharat ki |publisher=Gkhindinews |access-date=2020-02-11 }}</ref>

The show was again telecast on [[DD Bharati]] from 28 March 2020, on [[DD Retro]] from 13 April 2020, on [[Colors TV]] from 4 May 2020 as well as [[Star Bharat]] during the [[COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India|lockdown due to coronavirus]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/on-public-demand-ramayan--mahabharat-makes-comeback-during-lockdown/1782399|title=On public demand, ''Ramayan'' & ''Mahabharat'' makes comeback during lockdown|website=Outlook India|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat to air on Colors|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/mahabharat-to-air-on-colors-80194|last=Service|first=Tribune News|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>

==Reception==
Ganguly was applauded for her performance in the sequence.<ref name="TNH">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnowhindi.com/entertainment/television/article/roopa-ganguly-cried-half-an-hour-after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-in-mahabharata/288479|title=Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद आधे घंटे तक रोई थीं 'द्रौपदी' रूपा गांगुली, पहनी थीं 250 मीटर लंबी साड़ी|date=11 April 2020|website=timesnowhindi.com|language=hi|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> [[Ravi Chopra]] later disclosed that she was originally weeping while enacting in the Vastraharan sequence and the crew members had to console her later to make her stop.<ref name="TNH" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/entertainment/story-mahabharat-roopa-ganguly-cried-for-half-an-hour-after-draupadi-cheer-haran-scene-3156116.html|title=Mahabharat: चीर हरण सीन के बाद द्रौपदी का किरदार निभाने वालीं रूपा गांगुली आधे घंटे तक रोती रही थीं|date=17 April 2020|website=livehindustan.com|language=hi|access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref>|The sequence is often claimed to be the most climactic one of the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actors-talk-about-what-went-into-making-mahabharat-in-1988/story-W5i1GX9wqpY25Pijoa1NaI.html|title=Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988|website=Hindustan Times|date=5 May 2016|access-date=2019-05-07}}</ref> For the sequence [[Ravi Chopra|Chopra]] recreated the visual effect of the Vastraharan sequence of [[Babubhai Mistry]]'s ''[[Mahabharat (1965 film)|Mahabharat]]'' (1965) starring [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] as [[Draupadi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/mahabharat-3272|title=Mahabharat (1965) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos|website=Cinestaan|access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref> His visual effects won more favour than that of the 1965 film and has still been considered by a part of critics to be the most brilliant in line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/why-the-new-mahabharat-is-an-epic-fail-1114011.html|title=Why the new Mahabharat is an epic fail- Entertainment News, Firstpost|date=2013-09-17|website=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=2019-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/2016/04/22/on-br-chopras-birth-anniversary-heres-looking-back-at-how-his-greatest-creation-mahabharat-came-into-being|title=Happy B'day BR Chopra: The Story Behind His Iconic 'Mahabharat'|date=2016-04-22|website=The Quint|language=en|access-date=2019-05-06}}</ref> of the most successful television series in Indian television history.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 20, 2020|first=Shweta|last=Keshri|title=Monday Masala: BR Chopra's Mahabharat is the baap of all masala entertainers|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/monday-masala-br-chopra-s-mahabharat-is-the-baap-of-masala-entertainers-1668902-2020-04-20|access-date=2020-08-05|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> In common with the "[[Ramayan (1986 TV series)|Ramayana]]" serial, the broadcasting of a Mahabharat episode was associated with the simultaneous emptying of streets in the cities and people leaving work early to watch it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/retelling-of-mahabharata-on-television-over-the-years-epic-television/article7770181.ece|title=Epic television|first=Lavanya|last=Mohan|date=16 October 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Along with general audience many big names from Hindi film industry like [[Rajesh Khanna]], [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Jeetendra]], [[ Hema Malini]] and [[Dharmendra]] also praised the show.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watch: Yesteryear superstars Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Hema Malini talk about BR Chopra's Mahabharat in this old video |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/watch-yesteryear-superstars-rajesh-khanna-dharmendra-hema-malini-talk-about-br-chopras-mahabharat-in-this-old-video/articleshow/75700630.cms|access-date=2020-07-29|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

During its rerun in [[COVID-19 lockdown in India]], it became the second most watched Indian TV show after [[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|''Ramayan'']] (1987).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/dd-emerges-as-most-watched-channel-ramayana-mahabharata-among-favourites-11586423915023.html|title=DD emerges as most watched channel; Ramayana, Mahabharata among favourites|website=Live Mint|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> In week 13, it garnered 145.8 million impressions with both morning and evening slots combined on [[DD Bharati]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/india/ramayan-shaktimaan-byomkesh-bakshi-make-dd-national-most-watched-channel-across-genres/398610/|title=Reruns of 1980-90s classics Ramayan, Shaktimaan, Byomkesh make DD most-watched channel|website=[[ThePrint]]|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> After ''Ramayan'' ended, ''Mahabharat'' became the most watched TV show until its end.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharat becomes the most-watched show. Doordarshan witnesses major dip in ratings|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/mahabharat-becomes-the-most-watched-show-doordarshan-witnesses-major-dip-in-ratings-1680680-2020-05-22|website=India Today}}</ref> The series ended with 22.9 million viewership.<ref name=":4" />

==Home media==
The series was uploaded onto the website "Rajshri.com" along with its dubbed Tamil version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/mahabharat-on-the-net/article3231819.ece|title=Mahabharat on the net|date=22 December 2006|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> Home video of the Bengali-dubbed version of this series has been released by Heart Video.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/mahabharat-now-in-bengali/article2912867.ece|title=Mahabharat now in Bengali|date=20 February 2012|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref> In 2019, [[Pen India Limited|Pen India Ltd]] bought the rights of the show and uploaded all the episodes on its devotional YouTube channel ''Pen Bhakti'' including its spin-off series ''[[Mahabharat Katha]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=After TV, BR Chopra's Mahabharat to be Available on YouTube As Well|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/after-tv-br-chopras-mahabharat-to-be-available-on-youtube-as-well-2560587.html|access-date=2020-07-29|website=News18|date=April 2020}}</ref>

==Legacy==
''Mahabharat'' along with ''[[Ramayan (1987 TV series)|Ramayan]]'' (1987), became one of the most successful television series based on an epic in Indian television history.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

Many actors became popular through their appearances in this series.

* [[Nitish Bharadwaj]] became famous as [[Lord Krishna]] and later he also played lead role in Chopra's another mythological show [[Vishnu Puran (TV series)|Vishnu Puran]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Television|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000123/spectrum/tv.htm|access-date=2020-06-21|website=The Tribune}}</ref>
* [[Roopa Ganguly]], who played [[Draupadi]], went on to become a successful actress in Bengali cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/bishwanath-ghosh-gajendra-chauhans-appointment-as-ftii-chairman/article7460395.ece|title=Ideology vs. stature|first=Bishwanath|last=Ghosh|date=25 July 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/no-childs-play/article7181850.ece|title=No child's play|first=Madhur|last=Tankha|date=8 May 2015|access-date=6 October 2018|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
* [[Pankaj Dheer]] received immense popularity after playing [[Karna]]. His pictures are used in textbooks as reference to Karna and the actor also revealed that his statues are worshipped in temples in [[Karnal]] and Batar.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 27, 2020|title=Did you know Mahabharat's Karna, Pankaj Dheer's statue is worshipped in temples in Karnal and Bastar?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/did-you-know-mahabharat-s-karna-pankaj-dheer-s-statue-is-worshipped-in-temples-in-karnal-and-bastar-1682514-2020-05-27|access-date=2020-06-21|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Firoz Khan]] changed his name to "Arjun" professionally after finding success with the role of [[Arjuna|Arjun]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-27|title=Mahabharat's Arjun Firoz Khan Says Changing His Name Gave Him Everything He'd Dreamed of|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/mahabharats-arjun-firoz-khan-says-changing-his-name-gave-him-everything-hed-dreamed-of-2594135.html|access-date=2020-06-21|website=News18}}</ref>
* [[Mukesh Khanna]], who was a not so famous actor until then, shot to fame as [[Bhishma]] and named his production company after his character.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-23 |title=Mukesh Khanna on his struggle before Mahabharat: ‘People labelled me as a flop actor, I was deeply disappointed’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/mukesh-khanna-on-his-struggle-before-mahabharat-people-labelled-me-as-a-flop-actor-i-was-deeply-disappointed/story-pzaA8FtSwcAM0m0VjdKWNL.html |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0158417}}

{{B. R. Chopra}}
{{Works based on the Mahabharata |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Television series based on Mahabharata]]
[[Category:DD National original programming]]
[[Category:1988 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s Indian television series]]
[[Category:Television shows based on poems]]