Mahabharat (1988)
The landmark Indian television epic that retold the ancient Sanskrit saga of dynastic war, dharma, and destiny for an entire generation.
Mahabharat - Series Information
- Original Title: महाभारत
- First Air Year: 1988
- Last Air Year: 1990
- Created by: B.R. Chopra, Ravi Chopra
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 94
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: Hindi, Telugu, Tamil
- First Air Date: October 2, 1988 (United States - NR), October 2, 1988 (India - U)
- Networks: DD National
- Production Countries: India
Mahabharat - Plot
A dynastic struggle occurs for the throne of Hastinapur, the kingdom ruled by the Kuru clan, between the Kauravas and Pandavas, collateral branches of the clan, which causes the Kurukshetra War.
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Mahabharat - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- B.R. Chopra
- Ravi Chopra
Main Cast
- Nitish Bharadwaj
- Mukesh Khanna
- Puneet Issar
- Arjun
- Roopa Ganguly
- Girja Shankar
- Pankaj Dheer
- Nazneen
- Gajendra Chouhan
- Dara Singh
Writers
- Rahi Masoom Raza
- Pandit Narendra Sharma
Mahabharat - FAQs
What is Mahabharat about?
Mahabharat dramatizes the ancient Hindu epic of the same name, following the bitter rivalry between the Kauravas and Pandavas — two branches of the Kuru royal family — as they fight for control of the throne of Hastinapur, ultimately leading to the catastrophic Kurukshetra War.
Who are the main actors in Mahabharat?
The series features Nitish Bharadwaj as Krishna, Mukesh Khanna as Bheeshma, Puneet Issar as Duryodhana, Arjun as Arjun, Roopa Ganguly as Draupadi, Pankaj Dheer as Karna, Gajendra Chouhan as Yudhishtira, Nazneen as Kunti, Girja Shankar as Dhritrashtra, and Dara Singh as Hanuman.
Is Mahabharat based on a true story?
Mahabharat is an adaptation of one of the world's longest and most revered Sanskrit epics, composed thousands of years ago and attributed to the sage Vyasa. While historians debate its historical basis, the epic holds deep religious and cultural significance for millions across South Asia and beyond.
Why was the 1988 Mahabharat so culturally significant?
When it aired on DD National, Mahabharat brought entire cities to a standstill every Sunday morning. Streets emptied, businesses closed, and families gathered around television sets across India. It is widely credited with popularizing television ownership in the country and remains one of the most-watched programs in Indian broadcast history.
How many episodes does Mahabharat have?
The main run of Mahabharat consists of 94 episodes, each approximately 45 minutes long. An additional 12 special episodes were also produced, bringing the total content across all seasons and specials to over 100 installments of this landmark series.
Who created and wrote the 1988 Mahabharat series?
The series was created and produced by the legendary father-son duo B.R. Chopra and Ravi Chopra. The screenplay was crafted by acclaimed Urdu writer Rahi Masoom Raza, with additional contributions from Pandit Narendra Sharma, whose lyrical sensibility gave the dialogue its distinctive poetic depth.
When did Mahabharat first air and on which network?
Mahabharat premiered on October 2, 1988, on DD National — India's state-run public broadcaster. It aired every Sunday morning and ran through 1990, captivating audiences across the country for nearly two years with its sweeping retelling of the ancient epic.
What are some shows similar to Mahabharat?
Fans of Mahabharat who enjoy long-running dramatic sagas may appreciate Imlie, Endless Love, Ici tout commence, and Sen Anlat Karadeniz, all of which blend family conflict, emotional depth, and compelling character arcs in ways that echo the epic storytelling tradition of this classic series.
More About Mahabharat
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