Dharmakshetra

I was sick and tired of the pathetic attempts at Mahabharat by Ekta Kapoor and her ilk. But this show comes as a unique take on the scripture. The strength of the show is the amazing script and dialogues, and how they bring out the unknown and not so popular stories from the epic. I had so many questions after watching BR Chopra's Mahabharat (which I consider at par with Lord of the Rings). Why did Krishna not stop the war, why did Yudhistir bet his brothers and wife in the gamble, was Duryodhan a selfish friend who used Karna for his own good, etc etc. The show answers all these questions basis actual stories from the scripture. An absolute must watch for all. Another show I would recommend is Upanishad Ganga from Doordarshan (now on Youtube)

For all those who love analysing things from different perspectives , this series is a must. Kudos to the creators for doing such indepth research showcasing the critical thinking aspect of the Indian epics and culture..

The plot of this series is a courtroom drama between the characters when they meet in the afterlife. The content is engaging as all clever and cunning acts done by every major character of Mahabharath is discussed in the form of courtroom drama with Chitragupta being the judge. The series identifies the grey parts of the epic and gives better answers to the sinful acts committed by the characters (includes even Nakul, Sahadev, Dushashan, Vidur). Every episode is the allegations faced and justifications told by the characters and helps to view the epic from their point of view. One of the best and interesting adaptations of the Mahabharath Epic. A worthy watch on Netflix!!!

Dharma Kshetra, in Hindi (with English subtitles) is a brilliant adapatation of the Mahabharat. The events take place after the war after all the protagonists (except /Ashvattama) had died. It is set in the court of the divine arbiter Chitragupta.

One by one, the charcters of the epic; Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, Dhritarashtra, Sakuni, Dharmaraj, Bhim, Arjun, Nakul, Sahadev, Draupadi, Kunti, Gandhari, Duryodhan, Karn, Dushasan, Ashvattama and even Vedavyas are put in the dock to answer accusations levelled against them. The twenty-six episode serial ends with Bhagwan Shri Krishna himself explaining his actions, which some times looked dowright unethical.

No character in Mahabharat was perfect. Each one was a fallible being combating his or her personal demons and was a complex amalgam of nobility and meanness, forgiveness and vengefulness, love and rancor and sacrifice and greed.

The epic is a macrocosm of our own lives- layered with contradictions and conflicts. The writing and acting were uniformly good, occassionally even brilliant- Duryodhan and Karn were outstanding.

Dharma Kshetra is a tour-de-force, a really great small screen production.

It reinforced my belief that Mahabharat in sheer sweep and grandeur eclipses Homer's Iliad and Odysseus. I was also exposed to nuances in the epic, which I had not been aware off earlier.

What a brilliant show, watch it and you will understand entire Mahabharat saga.