Mahabharat

The T.V. Series Mahabharat produced by B.R.Chopra is the most popular t.v. series ever showcased on Indian idiot boxes. The extent of influence the series commanded on Indian population can be gaged from the fact that during the time of its broadcast streets would get empty, and it would be impossible to find a single living soul at the busiest of the town centers. People who were fortunate to own a television would play hosts to all the less fortunate neighboring families. Even passers by would get a place in ones living room.

The series though technically lousy, and made with cheapest special effects, ended up doing full justice to the sentiments with which Ved Vyasa compiled the greatest of the epics. Its 93 episodes take you through every possible sentiment, every possible emotion, every possible relation that a human mind can fathom. People not familiar with Hinduism might find this series a perfect introduction to Hindu way of thinking, and its deep rooted beliefs and the social structure of the Hindu society.

Series does full justice to the complicated intertwined stories and their sub plots. The story of Mahabharat is narrated by Time ("Samay") which was kind of nice concept and helped in rushing through the less important details. Baring a few, most actors did full justice to the characters they were portraying. The portion of "Bhagwat Geeta" (the divine song) was also performed with great gusto and in its true spirit.

If you want to feel the true essence of Mahabharat, then this is certainly the right thing for you. However the technical aspects might disappoint you. Highly recommended to everybody. By far the greatest story ever told, nothing in this world can ever come close to it.

This is was made in late 1980s and I watched it as I was young in India. But when I bought the all 16 DVDs. It was amazing...the special effects may look old but the acting is superb...the acting done by the leading cast is unbelievable..this epic is about the meaning of life and Bhagavad Geeta spoken by Lord Krishna looks so real and understandable. Highly recommend this version..I know there are many versions but this is the best and the original. I think everyone in life should either read this great epic or watch it...it's not about Hinduism its about your Dharma (Duty) as human being. And if you are interested in great story telling you won't be disappointed.

A show like B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat cannot be recreated. This show was unique because unlike other mythological shows that time this show was shooted in outdoor locations. That's why war sequences of this show look so realistic. No one able to create war sequence like this show till date.

The music of the show was great as well. "Hey priyatame" is most underrated among all songs. It perfectly reflects the mood and mindset of the warriors before the War.

Mahabharat had ensemble cast. It seems like all actors were born to do this show. Each performance one better than another. IMO Mukesh Khanna as Bhishma, Gufi Paintal as Shakuni and Nitish Bharadwaj as Krishna are three best performances from the show. Nitish Bharadwaj's dialogue delivery is so natural. His eyes were so expressive and through them he conveyed so much. Other performers also did phenomenal job in their respective roles. Rupa Ganguly did brilliant job in Draupadi's disrobing scene. Arjun, Punit Issar and Pankaj Dheer were perfect in their respective roles.

There are so many scenes were perfectly executed. Bhishm Pratigya, Draupadi's cheer haran, Abhimanyu vadh, Virat Yudh etc were some of my favorite scenes. Hats of to B.R. Chopra and Ravi Chopra for making this cult show and hopefully it will remain fresh for so many years.

Simply WOW. No words exists in any language.I think i have seen more than 10 times .I bought the VCD collection and i saw all 64 CDs fully.

Each and every dialog is amazing.

Especially Karna,Beeshma,Vidura and all ...

I am really ..really... no words really.

Thanks to Chopra and his team.

Please see this serial before you die ...

Especially the conversation of Karna-Krishna and Karna - Kunthi and all, is truly great.

I think god came to earth and taken this serial in the form of Chopra.

Every body perfectly matched with their roles. Thats the special about it.

Please Please Please watch this Mahabharath Serial (all 64 VCD) at least once in your life.

Mahabharat was a landmark in Indian TV industry. It did to TV in 80's what Kaun Banega Karodpati did in 2000. It carried on what was started by Ramayan - an epic saga series.

Many Indians who gave no more importance to the epic, those had forgotten it, and most importantly the kids who would have had no chance of learning about it, were greatly helped by the TV version. Its greatest achievement was to revive the lost pride in the culture.

Though the special features will now seem kiddish, the costume will seem gaudy, yet I appreciate the details that were achieved with such small budgets. Fast-paced episodes aptly covered the whole epic in just 94 episodes.

I would recommend it to all Indian parents bringing up children in western countries to help kids learn about our great culture.