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Mahabharat

  • TV Series
  • 1988–1990
  • TV-14
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.9/10
26K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,556
99
Nitish Bharadwaj in Mahabharat (1988)
EpicPeriod DramaSword & SorceryWar EpicActionAdventureDramaFantasyHistoryMusical

When a dynastic struggle between the collateral branches of the Kuru clan, the Kauravas and Pandavas lead them to the threshold of war, Lord Krishna decides to step in and take control of th... Read allWhen a dynastic struggle between the collateral branches of the Kuru clan, the Kauravas and Pandavas lead them to the threshold of war, Lord Krishna decides to step in and take control of the situation.When a dynastic struggle between the collateral branches of the Kuru clan, the Kauravas and Pandavas lead them to the threshold of war, Lord Krishna decides to step in and take control of the situation.

  • Stars
    • Harish Bhimani
    • Nitish Bharadwaj
    • Mukesh Khanna
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.9/10
    26K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,556
    99
    • Stars
      • Harish Bhimani
      • Nitish Bharadwaj
      • Mukesh Khanna
    • 150User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #113
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Episodes94

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season

    Photos163

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    Top cast73

    Edit
    Harish Bhimani
    • Samay
    • 1988–1990
    Nitish Bharadwaj
    Nitish Bharadwaj
    • Krishna
    • 1988–1990
    Mukesh Khanna
    Mukesh Khanna
    • Bheeshma…
    • 1988–1990
    Gajendra Chauhan
    Gajendra Chauhan
    • Yudhishtira…
    • 1988–1990
    Praveen Kumar Sobti
    Praveen Kumar Sobti
    • Bheem
    • 1988–1990
    Feroz Khan
    Feroz Khan
    • Arjun
    • 1988–1990
    Roopa Ganguly
    Roopa Ganguly
    • Draupadi
    • 1988–1990
    Puneet Issar
    Puneet Issar
    • Duryodhana…
    • 1988–1990
    Pankaj Dheer
    Pankaj Dheer
    • Karna
    • 1988–1990
    Gufi Paintal
    Gufi Paintal
    • Shakuni
    • 1988–1990
    Girija Shankar
    Girija Shankar
    • Dhritrashtra…
    • 1988–1990
    Surendra Pal
    Surendra Pal
    • Dronacharya…
    • 1988–1990
    Renuka Israni
    Renuka Israni
    • Gandhari
    • 1988–1990
    Nazneen
    Nazneen
    • Kunti
    • 1988–1990
    Virendra Razdan
    • Vidur
    • 1988–1990
    Vinod Kapoor
    • Dushashan…
    • 1988–1990
    Sameer Chitre
    Sameer Chitre
    • Nakul
    • 1988–1990
    Sanjeev Chitre
    Sanjeev Chitre
    • Sahadev…
    • 1988–1990
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews150

    8.925.5K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Mahabharat' is celebrated for its detailed production, powerful performances, and evocative storytelling. The series is lauded for its grand scale, complex characters, and moral dilemmas. Nitish Bhardwaj and Mukesh Khanna's performances as Krishna and Bhishma are highly praised. Despite modest production values and some pacing issues, the series offers cultural and philosophical depth, making it a significant piece in Indian television history.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10estud

    Full justice to the epic...

    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.
    10ggb2003

    This shows you what we dream life would be like

    This reminds you of how you should live and how the world is so different and corrupted from before. Back then they had so much respect for their elders and even when wars were fought the enemies were respected nowadays all of that has disappeared. This is my favourite TV series of all time and I'm Canadian born too but this just reminds me of how life should be especially karn. You'll never find a person like him in this world. For a series made 18 years ago, its an awesome series and if this did happen then i wish i was living back in that time not during the war but i mean in general with all the respect and honour. This is our history don't forget it.
    10ashokm

    History Can't be repeated

    The great thing happen rare time in the world , and Mahabharata is one of those great things.

    All of the character had played very well, and It's a result of their respective work..

    I have already told that history can't be repeated, means even though same people Try to do work with their all ability they can't do same like they have did, so it's a time dependent story. I like the all characters but among them the most that I like is a Krishna, because of his speech, and elegant behavior.

    Thanx.
    nas_escobar04

    My favorite series of all time.

    This Mahabharata series was almost perfectly done from beginning to end. There are few moments when the script goes off course from the actual scripture, and the actors did an excellent job in portraying the mannerisms and likeness of the actual personalities, Shakuni, Bhishma and Krishna in particular. The story of Krishna's birth, Bhishma's vow, the Great War it's all in here. Absolutely fantastic series, it is very inspiring to children and to adults. Whenever I see this, it encourages me to learn more about Hinduism and such a powerful series deserves equal praise. A must-see for Hindus and non-Hindus alike, especially those who wish to learn more about the faith.
    Voivod-2

    This is amazing...

    ...if you have the time to watch it consistently, and give it your attention. This is a very demanding piece of work-- there are many characters, and many plots going on simultaneously. Stop watching for a few days and you might just forget what was going on. Nevertheless, this is an amazing piece of work, incredibly moving, and affecting like very few works before it. I can't overstate how incredibly emotional the experience of watching it from beginning to end was; the ending, in particular, is a extremely powerful.

    True, the scenes are a bit drawn out at times; personally, as director, I would have shaved off about 10-15 minutes from each episode. Obviously, the special effects are outdated as well, but they are sufficient to get the point across, which is the most important thing.

    Ideally, this series should be watched when you have 4-5 days dedicated to just watching it from beginning to end. Yeah, that's a big dedication, but it is also an incredibly rewarding experience.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to production team member Kishore Malhotra, the total cost of producing the series was 9 crore (US$1.2 million). Casting for the series began in 1986 and shooting started off in mid-1988. 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.
    • Quotes

      [Krishna has told Karna the truth about his birth and begs him to join the Pandavas in the upcoming Kurukshetra war. Karna turns down the offer, but later that day, he approaches at a temple alone]

      Karna: O, Creator! Why have I been tormented like this, to learn the truth about my birth? The Sun is still the source of light to the world! My mother is still a respected queen! Yet I, the result of their union, am a wanderer... But I will never give up Duryodhana!

      [shouts]

      Karna: Do you hear me? I will never betray him! He has given me far too much in friendship! I will never betray Duryodhana!

    • Connections
      Featured in Mahabharat Ki Mahabharat (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Ath Shree Mahabharat Katha
      Performed by Mahendra Kapoor.

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does Mahabharat have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 2, 1988 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Official site
      • Watch Mahabharat on ZEE5
    • Language
      • Hindi
    • Also known as
      • Махабхарата
    • Production company
      • B.R. Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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