I understand that the producers of this serial ain't making claims as to the authenticity. However, I still find their deviation from the original story jarring, to say the least. I don't mind them introducing stories of their own, such as the one about the old woman who got her son cured by Krishna. However, I do mind when they make history-altering changes, as I describe below.
If showing Kalyavan attacking Dwaraka was a howler, Friday's episode showing Rukmi first intercept Rukmini's messenger, and then seize power from his father was downright fabricated. Rukmi was alone among Krishna's enemies whose relationship w/ him went on to improve: others, like Jarasandha, Sishupala, Dantavakra, Shalva, Purandara Vasudeva, Narakasura and others remained enemies of Krishna, and went on to be killed by him or his allies.
Rukmi, otoh, was among the warriors who prior to the Kurukshetra war, first volunteered his services to Arjun, and after being declined, volunteered it to Duryodhan, both of whom refused 😕 He therefore returned to his capital Bhojakata, which he founded since he couldn't return to Kundinapuri since he couldn't recover Rukmini.
But given the crimes he's now been shown to commit - killing a messenger, ill-treat his sister, imprison his parents, looks like he could get killed by either Krishna or Balaram or one of their allies.
I really wish they didn't go this route w/ Rukmi. It's disappointing, given that many don't know the story of Krishna's life in Mathura & Dwaraka the way they do his childhood in Gokul & Vrindavan.
Hopefully, the producers wont distort the historical aspect of the show as they go further.