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Meet the CAST of Mahabharat

Rajul Hegde in Mumbai

We have seen many versions of the Mahabharat on television.

Starting this month, we will be treated to yet another version.

The 128-episode grand show will go on air on September 16, and will be telecast from Monday to Friday at 8:30 pm on Star Plus.

Here's a look at the actors who have been cast in the key roles in the serial.

Pooja Sharma as Draupadi

Delhi girl Pooja Sharma moved to Mumbai a few years ago to pursue her acting dream. She has been chosen to play the character of Draupadi.

This is Pooja's television debut.

Rohit Bharadwaj as Dharamraj Yudhisthir

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Rohit Bharadwaj played Megha's dead husband in the first season of Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha and later in Navya.

He will play Dharamraj Yudhisthir in the epic drama.

Shaheer Sheikh as Arjun

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Shaheer Sheikh, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, plays Arjun.

He started his career as a photographer and model but later switched to acting.

He was last seen in the serial, Navya, on Star Plus.

Puneet Issar as Parshuram

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Puneet Issar became a household name after portraying Duryodhan in BR Chopra's Mahabharata.

In the new show, he will play Parshuram.

Saurabh Jain as Krishna

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Saurabh Jain played Lord Vishnu in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev.

Now, he will be seen as Krishna.

The role seems to be tailor-made for him.

Arpit Ranka as Duryodhan

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Model-turned-actor Arpit Ranka will make his debut on the small screen as Duryodhan.

Praneet Bhatt as Shakuni

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Praneet Bhatt, who hails from Srinagar, is an experienced artist.

He will be seen as Shakuni in the new Mahabharat.

Arav Chowdhary as Bheeshma

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Model-turned-actor Arav Chowdhary will be seen as the mighty Bheeshma in the show.

Graduating from the Hollywood Film Institute, Arav has featured in quite a few movies like Dhoom and Laado, the latter went on to win a National Award.

He was last seen in the telly show, Gulaal.

Ratan Rajput as Amba

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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After a much-hyped swayamvar -- Ratan Ka Rishta -- Ratan Rajput has resurfaced on TV.

She will be seen in the role of Amba, daughter of the king of Kashi who becomes the cause of Bheeshma's death.

Ratan started her career with female-oriented shows like Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo and Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi,

Sameer Dharmadhikari as King Shantanu

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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After Jhansi Ki Rani, Sameer Dharmadhikari, will be seen in Zee TV's Buddha as well as Star Plus' Mahabharat.

Dharmadhikari will play King Shantanu of Hastinapur, father of Bheeshma.

Sayantani Ghosh as Satyavati

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Sayantani is popular for her role in the television show Naagin.

She will be seen as Satyavati in Mahabharat. Satyavati was the wife of King Shantanu.

She participated in the previous season of Bigg Boss and has appeared in shows like Ghar Ek Sapna, Rakht Sambandh and Mrs Kaushik Ki Bahuein.

Aham Sharma as Karan

September 11, 2013 10:33 IST

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Aham Sharma was last seen as a villain in Hum Ne Li Hai Shapath.

Now, he will play the role of Karan.

Aham had appeared in television shows like Bairi Piya and Choti Si Zindagi.

Craziest rumor I have heard about myself: Deblina Chatterjee

TellyBuzz brings to you the column on actor's reactions towards the craziest rumors they have ever heard about themselves.

http://www.urlremoved/i-buying-cameras-shaheer-sheikh/

The dashing Shaheer Sheikh who is mostly known as Navya, from Star Plus's Navya, and soon to be seen as Arjun in Mahabharat, shares with urlremoved, his love for gadgets.

Which smartphone are you currently using?

iPhone 5

Which Operating System do you prefer?

Windows.

Which is your favorite smartphone application?

I use this application called edjing a lot.

Name some applications that you frequently use on your smartphone.

Youtube and Truecaller.

Is there any application that you would like to recommend to all your fans who use smartphones?

The application which helps me a lot is Google Maps, so I'd recommend that.

Which other gadgets do you use apart from your smartphone?

I have a Bluetooh speaker which I carry with me all the time, my laptop, my camera, its a SLR from Cannon.

What is the first thing u look in a gadget before purchasing it?

Whether I'll be able to use it or not!

One gadget that you're looking forward to buying?

I just upgraded my camera, I like buying camera's, then music is something I'm fond of so maybe a different sound system, but nothing as such in my mind right now so nothing as such.

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Shaheer Sheikh mobbed by female fans

Shaheer Sheikh surrounded with girls

We all know that television actor Shaheer Sheikh has a female fan following. The actor, who is currently shooting Mahabharat in Jaipur's Amber Palace, was recently mobbed by a group of college girls.

One sunny afternoon, after finishing his shoot in the Palace's Jaleb Chowk, Sheikh was relaxing at the set itself. Clad in a black T-shirt paired up with a pair of blue jeans, Sheikh was coolly watching the shoot. And that was when a group of college girls, more than 50 in number, happened to arrive at the spot. Seeing Shaheer, the girls just surrounded him and started badgering him for autographs. Some girls wanted to get themselves clicked with the actor. The ever-smiling Shaheer obliged all his fans, giving autographs and posing for their cameras.

When asked about all this later, Shaheer said, "There was a group of college students from Delhi visiting Jaipur. And one of the girls recognized me on the set and screamed, 'Oh my God!' All of them just surrounded me, bombarding me with requests for pictures and autographs. Production people had to intervene and take me away." The actor, known for his chocolaty looks, rose to fame with the serial Navya.

When TellyBuzz contacted Ratan to know more about her first day of shoot, she told us, "I was called on a very short notice as earlier someone else was supposed to play this character but later I was finalized to play this role. I had no idea about the shoots and my character so I asked Siddharth to be around on the set so that I will get to learn things easily under his guidance. My first scene was to be shot with Puneet Issarji under the guidance of Siddharth with cameraman Anil Da. Siddharth explained everything very well to be and I must say that he is perfect with it. I was very much excited to work with Puneetji and the scene came out really well. I loved the way Siddharth directed the first scene."

Talking about her character and the costumes, she further added, "It's a very strong character which I am playing and our costumes and jewelry are so heavy that it seems like a punishment for us. My jewelry used to become very cold while we were shooting in Kashmir and it used to become very hot while we were shooting in Gujarat. I have realized now that earlier women used to be very fashion conscious but we look very simple in front of them. We look beautiful in our costume and jewelry but it's not easy to stay with all that for a long time."

I don't regret doing swayamvar: Ratan Rajput

Ratan Rajput

Actress Ratan Rajput, who has featured in shows like Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo and Ratan Ka Rishta, will now be seen in Swastik Productions' Mahabharat. She will play Amba in the mythological show.

Ratan shares a great equation with Siddharth Kumar Tewary, producer of Mahabharat. He had also produced Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, which catapulted Ratan to fame. The reason why she readily accepted the role of Amba and requested Siddharth to shoot her opening scene.

Talking about her experience in the show, she says, "I never thought of doing a mythological show and also never thought of doing my own swayamvar on television. From both the shows, I have learnt a lot and no regrets on anything."

When asked what next? Will be she seen in any fiction or any reality shows like Bigg Boss? "Never say no to anything! I guess at this stage in my career, I will look at shows which will give me money and growth as an artiste. And, why not?" We can't agree more.

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Not six-pack, I just wanted to get stronger: Shaheer

Shaheer Sheikh as Arjun

Shaheer Sheikh, new-age Arjun, on what it took to be an integral part of Mahabharat

For Shaheer Sheikh, playing Arjun in Mahabharat has become something of a life-changer. Earlier, rising early or hitting the gym for more than two days was almost unthinkable for the TV actor.

"Now, I am more disciplined," he says. "Past six months, I have become an early riser. I go for a run, work out and take care of my diet for this character," he reveals. But it's not about getting six-pack abs, he clarifies, "I just wanted to be stronger. My dhanush is seven-feet tall and I wanted to lift it with ease and have the right body posture. I was always told that I didn't have to look like a model, but a warrior."

Shaheer, who was born in Jammu, went on to study law in Pune after which he started off as a lawyer. Acting was never on his mind, until he was discovered by an assistant director on a social networking site. And now, to have bagged this role is a dream come true. "I always wanted to play a warrior prince and what better than playing the best. When I first got the offer, I couldn't sleep for nights!"

Getting his character right involved months of research. "I did a lot of reading. Arjun is known for his focus and determination and athletes and sportpersons in India are inspired by him. Preparing for this role over this last year has had a very positive effect on me," he says.

Does he fear getting typecast, considering Arjun is an impactful character? "No, that's not an issue these days. Also, our show is different. This Mahabharat is as real as it gets. It's something today's generation can identify with."

Mahabharat launches on September 16 on Star Plus.