The Who's Who of Mahaabhaarat
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nki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Rishabh Bajaj in Kasauati Zindagi Kay, the award-winning actor will play Bhishma. Who was Bhishma? Bhishma was earlier called Devavrata. He was the son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga. Devavrata came to be known as Bhishma because he took the bhishan pratigya -- the vow of life-long celibacy and service to whoever sat on the throne of Hastinapur, his father's kingdom. Devavrata vowed never to accept the crown so as to allow the union of his father with his stepmother. Bhishma was granted the boon of Ichha Mrityu -- he could choose the time of his death but not, as may be suggested, one of immortality.
Anita Hassanandani plays Draupadi
Anita made her television debut in the big hit Kabhia Sautan Kabhie Saheli, but she is more popular for her role as Anjali in Kavyanjali. Anita has also dabbled in South Indian and Hindi films. More action is in store for this actress, as she gets ready for the desi version of Fear Factor. Who is Draupadi? Draupadi is the daughter of King Drupada of Panchala, who weds the five Pandavas. Draupadi was humiliated in the Kaurava court when the Pandavas lost to them in a game of dice. Her cheer-haran, which literally means stripping of one's clothes, marks a definitive moment in the story of Mahabharata. This was the main reason for the Mahabharata war, as Draupadi egged the Pandava princes to seek revenge for her humiliation. Krishna treats Draupadi as his sister, pledges his friendship to her and protects her whenever she asks him for help.
Uma Shanker plays Yudhisthira
Uma, who hails from Uttaranchal, is a student of the National School of Drama. He came to Mumbai to make a career in acting in 2001. When films didn't click, he turned to commercials.
Uma is a clinical psychologist by profession. Who is Yudhisthira? Yudhisthira was the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti of Hastinapuraand Indraprastha. When Duryodhana's maternal uncle Shakuni challenged him to a game of dice, he could not refuse. Thanks to Shakuni's cheating, Yudhisthira lost each throw, and eventually gambled away his kingdom, his wealth, his brothers and finally, his wife.He was forced to pay the debt by spending 13 years in exile in the forest, with the condition of anonymity in the last year, before they could reclaim their kingdom.
Harshad Chopra plays Arjun
Harshad bagged his first prominent role in Left Right Left, where he played Cadet Ali Baigh. He moved on to Amber Dhara but the stint did not last long. After remaining out of action for a while, Harshad bounced back with the popular Balaji show Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil. Who is Arjun? Arjun is the third of the five Pandava brothers. His skill in archery won him the hand of Draupadi, his first wife. He played a central role in the conflict between Pandavas and the Kauravas. He was reluctant to take part in the battle because of the ensuing slaughter he knew he would cause in the enemy ranks, which included many of his relatives. He was persuaded by his charioteer and friend Lord Krishna to change his mind. Their dialogue about issues involved in war -- courage, a warrior's duty, the nature of human life and the soul, and the role of Gods -- forms the subject of the Bhagavad Gita.
Chetan Hansraj plays Bheem
This is not the first time Chetan Hansraj is part of a mythological show. He starred in the B R Chopra's Mahabharat, when was about 15 years old. He played the young Balram. He has also been a part of Prithviraj Chauhan, playing the negative character, Bheemdev. He was also popular for his role in Kaahani Ghar Ghar Ki as Saasha. Who was Bheem? Bheem was the second of the Pandava brothers. He was distinguished from his brothers by his great stature and strength. He was furious when Yudhisthira lost the game of dice to Duryodhana. When Dushasana attempted to strip Draupadi in the court, Bheem swore that he would kill him one day and drink his blood.
Deepak Sandhu plays Nakul
Deepak Sandhu was one of the contestants of Gladrags Manhunt 2008. Who was Nakul? Nakul is one of the brothers among the five Pandavas. He was said to be very good-looking, and was known for his horse-riding skills. According to legend, he could ride through rain without water touching his body.
Jatin Shah plays Sahadeva
One of the hottest actors on television, Jatin started his career with advertisements and later got offers from Balaji Telefilms. He was popular for his cameo in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki. Currently, he plays Rounak, a negative character, in Kasturi.
Who was Sahadeva?Sahadeva is Nakul's twin. During the Pandava's exile in the Matsya kingdom of King Virata, Sahadev vowed to kill Shakuni, who had tricked them all their life. He was successful in his vow and killed Shakuni in the second-last day of the battle.
Aryan Vaid plays Duryodhana
Aryan bagged the Mr International title in 2000. He has done a couple of films like 36 China Town, as well as TV shows like Bigg Boss. Who is Duryodhana? Duryodhana is the eldest Kaurava, the son of the blind king Dhritarashtra and queen Gandhari. He was mentored by his maternal uncle Shakuni, who desired the elevation of his sister's children at the expense of the Pandavas. Shakuni masterminded most of Duryodhana's plots to humiliate and kill the Pandavas. After Yudhisthira lost the game of dice to Duryodhan, he encouraged his brother Dushasana to strip Draupadi of her clothes in court.
Hiten Tejwani played Karna
Hiten faced the camera for the first time in the serial Ghar Ek Mandir, followed by Kabhie Sautan Kabhie Saheli and Kahiin Kisi Roz. His character, Pratham, in Kutumb turned out to be a very popular role. Currently, he plays Karan, in the longest running serial so far, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Who is Karna? The Pandavas' mother Kunti secretly gave birth to Karna, and left him on a river bank. He was found and brought up by a charioteer Adhirath and his wife Radha. Karna became a king by virtue of his friend, Duryodhana. In the Kurukshetra war, Karna was Duryodhana's greatest hope for victory. He believed that Karna was superior to Arjun, and would inevitably destroy him and his brothers. While devoted to Duryodhana, Karna knew that even though his skills were as good as, if not better than Arjun's, he was incapable of killing Arjun, as he was protected by Lord Krishna. When Karna was killed, Duryodhana mourned his death deeply.Kali Prasad plays Shakuni
This is Kali Prasad's first major role. A theatre artist from New Delhi, Kali, came to Mumbai a couple of years ago for a career in television. His first show was Saturday Suspense. His eunuch role in Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeeqat was well noticed.
Ekta Kapoor realised his potential, and cast him in an important role in her Mahaabhaarat. Who was Shakuni?Shakuni was the prince of Gandhar, and Gandhari's brother. He was the mastermind for the outbreak of the Mahabharat war. He would always instigate Duryodhan against the Pandavas. Shakuni was also a master in gambling and the advisor of Kuaravas.
Kiran Karmarkar plays Shantanu
King Shantanu of the Kuru dynasty, a descendant of Bharat, ruled the Kuru region from Hastinapur. He fell in love with Ganga, who married him on the condition that he will not question her past deeds. Seven sons were born to them but Ganga drowned them all in a river. When the eighth son Devavrat (Bhishma) was born, Shantanu stopped her from drowning him. Ganga then leaves Shantanu for her heavenly abode.
Saakshi Tanwar plays Ganga
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The Who's Who of Mahaabhaarat
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