Posted:
I didn't get to comment on this aspect so far, but showing Bhima as hesitating to attack Bheeshma, crying @ Bheeshma's downfall etc was total character assassination. The real Bhima had a sweet, single & simple metric by which to judge anyone. Those who supported the Pandavas got his fullest support - the Panchalas, Dhrishtaketu, Satyaki, et al, no matter how unrelated they may have been. OTOH, those who opposed the Pandavas, no matter how close or dear - best example being Shalya, who Bhima battered several times in the war - he singularly hated and relentlessly fought them in the war. Unlike Arjun or Yudhistir, Bhima had no enemy-loving tendencies, and was straightforward in his attitudes towards anybody & everybody. I couldn't imagine a worse portrayal.
One entertaining facet of this war, which has been overlooked by everyone - each of the Pandavas fighting w/ other weapons. It was funny seeing Bheeshma swing his mace @ all 5 of them, like he was slapping them w/ the mace đ We got to know that Bheeshma was superior to Yudhisthir & Arjun in a mace fight. He was Sahadev's equal in swordfencing. Only after he laid down his weapons could all 5 Pandavas, in addition to Shikhandi, pierce him.
One thing, though - if all the Pandavas were weeping @ having to shoot Bheeshma, why didn't they simply let Shikhandi shoot arrow after arrow @ him? Also, is Shikhandi now out of the war? B'cos his skills w/ the chakravyuha, along w/ his father, will be needed when Drona makes that against Abhimanyu.
Indian Idol 16
