Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki.

by Meenakshi Shankar

Jul 01, 2008, Mumbai  

On a rainy afternoon, we couldn't wonder, but why oh why wasn't there a media call to cover the biggest epic on 9xs, Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. Little snippets kept floating around about who would be essaying what role, which Balaji loyalist had decided to stay away from the magnum opus etc. Speculations were rife. Ekta chose her words carefully. 9X, the channel partnered her in her silence. And the silence gave way to speculation.

The audience was treated to a visual treat of the Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. The media was still kept in the dark. Of course, we dissected the show post the teaser. But, it ended there. Silence ensued after that. Information about other shows filtered in. But we weren't interested in the 'naachna-gaana' routine. We wanted to know why 9x wasn't inviting the media for a 'dekko' into their biggest affair?

What we wanted was Ekta and her coterie of Pandavas and Kauravas on the same dais answering our volley of endless questions. We wanted to hear the K'diva speak about her maiden venture into epic mythology. What we wanted were facts, not mere speculation!

Was it true that Ram Kapoor had refused to essay a paramount role in Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharata Ki?
Was it true that her one set of Mahabharata touched a cost Rs. 1 crore?
Was it true that she had a dream, which prompted her to make Mahabharata?
Was it true that she aims to erase the earlier epic from the viewers mind and replace it with the latest offering?

Oh…the questions were endless! But the diva isn't talking. And the channel chose to let the viewers decide on the outcome. What is Mahabharatha? It is more than simply a story of kings and princes, sages and wise men, demons and gods. But to the channel, 9X, the magnum opus is one of the biggest blockbuster meal ticket they have on their cards. So why aren't they tom toming around? A close source in the channel speculated, "The channel wants its viewers to decide the outcome."

Definitely a smart move! Making an epic is a risk. NDTV Imagine with Ramayan started the race and then followed the other channels. Thanks to the Hindu culture, there is enough and more for the channels to make stories on. But the irony lays when both Star Plus and 9x ventured into the same mythology

Conflict of interest or otherwise, Star was on a warpath and announced its intentions with Bobby Bedi's Mahabharata