Mahabharat ( 1988 TV series ) - wikipedia Mahabharat ( 1988 TV series ) For the 2008 9X TV series produced by Balaji Telefilms, see Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. For the 2013 Star Plus series produced by Swastik Pictures, see Mahabharat ( 2013 TV series ). Mahabharat Genre Historical Drama Based on Mahabharata Written by Pandit Narendra Sharma, Rahi Masoom Reza Directed by Ravi Chopra Narrated by Harish Bhimani Country of origin India Original language ( s ) Hindi No. of episodes 94 Production Producer ( s ) B.R. Chopra Running time 45 minutes ( approx ) Release Original network DD National Original release 2 October 1988 -- 24 June 1990 Chronology Related shows Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki Vishnu Puran Mahabharat Katha Mahabharat is an Indian television series based on the Hindu epic of the same name. The 94 - episode Hindi series originally ran from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990 on DD National. It was produced by B.R. Chopra and directed by his son Ravi Chopra. The music was composed by Rajkamal. The script was written by the Urdu poet Rahi Masoom Raza, based on the original story by Vyasa. Costumes for the series were provided by Maganlal Dresswala. Each episode ran for approximately 45 minutes and began with a title song that consisted of lyrical content and two verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The title song was sung and the verses rendered by singer Mahendra Kapoor. The title song was followed by a narration by Indian voice artist Harish Bhimani of a personification of Time, detailing the current circumstances and highlighting the spiritual significance of the content of the episode. It was shown in the United Kingdom by the BBC, where it achieved audience figures of 5 million. It was also the first programme broadcast on BBC2 after its 1991 revamp, It has also been shown on FBC TV in Fiji and Star Utsav.It also aired on Epic. The series was also dubbed in all major South Indian languages. Also, it was broadcast on Sony Entertainment Television from 2001 - 2003 and Star Utsav in 2006 - 2008. Mahabharat Katha Part II - Story of Barbarik and Veer Babhruvahan was a spin - off series which contained portions and stories left out in Mahabharat. Contents 1 Cast 1.1 Kuru Clan 1.2 Cast ( Children ) 2 Episodes 3 Production 4 Broadcast 5 Reception 6 Home media 7 Legacy 8 See also 9 References 10 External links Cast Kuru Clan Oldest Generation Raj Babbar as Bharat / ancestor of Kauravas and Pandavas Ashalata as Shakuntala, Bharata 's mother / King Dushyanta 's wife 1st Generation Rishabh Shukla as Shantanu Kiran Juneja as Ganga, Shantanu 's first wife / Bhisma 's mother Debashree Roy as Satyavati, Shantanu 's second wife / Vichitravirya and Chitrangada 's mother / Bhisma 's step - mother 2nd Generation Mukesh Khanna as Bhishma, Shantanu - Ganga 's eighth son / eighth Vasu / Satyavati 's step - son Sudesh Berry as Vichitravirya, Shantanu - Satyavati 's second son after Chitrangada, Bhisma 's step brother Meena Chakrabarty as Ambika, 2nd princess of Kashi / Vichitravirya 's first queen Menaka Babbar as Ambalika, 3rd princess of Kashi / Vichitravirya 's second queen 3rd generation Girija Shankar as Dhritrashtra, Vichitravirya 's son from Ambika ( eldest ) / later king of Hastinapur / father of Kauravas Renuka Israni as Gandhari, wife of Dhritrashtra / Queen of Hastinapur / mother of Kauravas / princess of Gandhara Tarakesh Chauhan as Pandu, Vichitravirya 's son from Ambalika ( youngest ) / King of Hastinapur / father of Pandavas Nazneen as Kunti, Pandu 's first wife / mother of Yudhisthira, Bhim and Arjun / Daughter of Shoorsen hence Vasudev 's sister andYadava princess Roma Manik as Madri, Padu 's second wife / Matsya princess / mother of Nakul and Sahadev Virendra Razdan as Vidur, the Mahaa Mantri of Hastinapur / son of Ambika 's head maid, Parishrami / half - brother to the kings Dhritarashtra and Pandu of Hastinapura and also the uncle of Pandavas and Kauravas Kamlesh Maan as Sulabha, Vidur 's wife 4th generation Pandavas Pankaj Dheer as Karna / Adhiratha - Radha 's foster son, King of Anga Desh Gajendra Chouhan as Yudhishthir, 1st Pandav / Eldest son of Kuru Clan / King of Indraprastha Praveen Kumar as Bhim, 2nd Pandav / Second eldest son of Kuru clan / Yuvraaj ( crown Prince ) of Indraprastha Arjun ( Firoz Khan ) as Arjun, 3rd Pandava Sameer as Nakul, 4th Pandav Sanjeev as Sahadeva, 5th Pandav Roopa Ganguly as Draupadi, Wife of all Pandav / Also called as Panchali / Yagyaseni / Younger daughter of Drupad / Princess of Panchala Aloka Mukherjee as Subhadra, Arjuna 's 2nd wife / Abhimanyu 's mother / Vasudev 's daughter hence Krishna - Balaram 's sister and Yadava princess Kauravas Puneet Issar as Duryodhan Vinod Kapoor as Dushasan Dinesh Anand as Vikarna Deep Dhillon as Jayadratha, Dussala 's husband, Kaurava 's brother - in - law 5th Generation Razak Khan as Ghatotkach Mayur Verma ( Master Mayur ) as Abhimanyu Varsha Usgaonkar as Uttara, Abhimanyu 's wife / Virata princess 6th Generation Ayub Khan as Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu and Uttara / Grandson of Arjuna Subhadra Officials Dharmesh Tiwari as Kripacharya, Kulguru, Family Teacher Surendra Pal as Dronacharya, Guru of Kauravas and Pandavas Om Katare as Adhiratha, Charioteer / Karna 's foster father Saroj Sharma as Radha, Adhiratha 's wife, / Karna 's foster mother Pradeep Rawat as Ashwatthama, son of Dronacharya Ram Mohan as Raj Purohit, Head Priest Rafique Mukkadam as Minister Vinod Raut as Purochana, Royal architect Pramod Kumar as Dwarpal Abha Mishra as Maid Servant to Ganga Lalit Tiwari as Sanjaya, Dhritarashtra 's advisor and also his charioteer Yadava Clan Nitish Bhardwaj as Lord Krishna, Vasudev 's younger son Ramlal Gupta as Ugrasen, King of Mathura Goga Kapoor as Kans, son of Ugrasen Devidas as Kans 's Minister Ashok Banthia as Senapati Kritvarma Ajay Sinha as Akroor, Vrishni Chief Bashir Khan as Satyaki, General Vishnu Sharma as Vasudev, Son of Shoorsen, prince of Vrishni tribe Kshama Raj as Rohini, Vasudev 's elder wife Sheela Sharma as Devaki, Vasudev 's younger wife Rasik Dave as Nand Raj, Chief of Gokul Manju Vyas as Yashoda, Nand 's wife Sagar Salunke as Balram, Vasudev 's elder son Channa Ruparel as Rukmini, Krishna 's chief wife Parijat as Radha, Krishna 's consort Panchala Pradeep Sharma as Drupada Arun Bakshi as Dhrishtadyumna Paintal as Shikhandi / Sudama Virata Ashok Sharma as Virata, King of Virata Chandni Sharma as Sudeshna, Queen of Virata Sameer Rajda as Uttar, crown prince of Virata Sharat Saxena as Kichak, Army General of Virata Madra Kapil Kumar as Shalya Kashi Rakesh Bidua as Kashya, King Of Kashi Jahnavi as Amba, 1st princess of Kashi Gandhara Vikrant Mathur as Shakuni 's Father, King of Gandhara Gufi Paintal as Shakuni, Gandhari 's brother / later King of Gandhara Gods Shivendra Mahal as Parshuram / Lord Shiva Dara Singh as Hanuman ( cameo ) Satish Kaul as Indra Gopi Krishna as Chitrasena Magadha Rana Jung Bahadur as Jarasandh, King of Magadha, Father - in - law of Kans Chedi Karunakar Pathak as Shishupala, King of Chedi, Cousin of Krishna and Balaram Salwa Pawan Shukla as Shalv Kumar, Prince of Salwa Kingdom Rishi Prem Sagar as Rishi Kanva Pankaj Berry as Rishi Kindama, sage who cursed Pandu Rajesh Vivek as Maharishi Ved Vyas Other Vikas Prasad as Ekalavya Randhir Singh as Hidimba / Bhootana ( Putana ) Sabrina as Bhootana, ( Putana ) Paramjeet Chima as Dashraj, Satyavati 's Father Harish Bhimani as Samay / Narrator Cast ( Children ) Shampa as Child Krishna Kewal Shah as Adolescent Krishna Chetan Hansraj as Young Balram Krish Mallik as Young Bhishma Harendra Paintal as Young Karna Sonu as Young Yudhishthir Mallik as Young Bhim Ankur Javeri as Young Arjun Amit Shukla as Young Duryodhan Kaushal Shah as Young Dushasan Babbu as Young Ashwatthama Sumeet Raghavan as Young Sudama Episodes Episode 1 - Introduction of Kuru Family, Raja Bharat and Raja Shantanu Episode 2 - Ganga Kills Her Sons Episode 3 - Bhishma Is Grown - up Episode 4 - Bhisma Pratigya / Iccha Mrityu Vardaan Episode 5 - Amba, Ambika and Ambalika 's Introduction Episode 6 - Birth of Pandu, Dhritarashtra and Vidhur Episode 7 - Karna 's Birth - story, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari Get Married and Pandu and Kunti Get Married Episode 8 - Madri is gifted to Pandu, Pandu is resting and Sage Kindama 's curse on Pandu Episode 9 - Dhritarashtra is king his sanyas and Kansa is king and Akashwani about Krishna Episode 10 - Birth of Balarama and Five Pandavas Episode 11 - Krishna Janma Episode 12 - Pootna 's Death Episode 13 - Krishna brahmand darshan and Krishna gets caught while stealing makhan Episode 14 - Maiya Mori Mai nahi makhan khayo and Kaliya Nag Tandav Episode 15 - Radha and Gopikas, protest against Mathura, Devakasur and Trulambasur Vadh Episode 16 - Kansa invites Krishna to Mathura Episode 17 - Kansa vadh Episode 18 - Pandu 's Death Episode 19 - Satyavati, Ambika, Ambalika take sanyas with Rishi Vyas Episode 20 - Duryodhan Poisons Bhim and Bhim Gets Strength of 1000 Elephants Episode 21 - Sudama 's chivda and Dron arrives to Hastinapur Episode 22 - Shastra Pooja, Drona insults Karna and Arjun 's Test Episode 23 - Ekalavya, Karna 's Education, Arjun 's Test of Bird 's Eye Episode 24 - All grown up, prince is to be nominated and everyone exhibit their skills in Rangbhoomi, Karna challenges Arjun and Duryodhan gives Anga desh to Karna Episode 25 - Drona 's guru dakshina to capture Dhrupad Episode 26 - Krishna gets Sudarshan chakra from Parshuram, defeats Jarasandh and orders building Dwarika Episode 27 - Yudhishthir Is Crowned as Prince. Rukmini Is Being Forced to Marry Shishupal Episode 28 - Krishna Kidnaps Rukmini Episode 29 - Lakshagraha Is Built in Varnavar by Purochan Episode 30 - Tunneling in Varnavat Begins Episode 31 - Escape from Lakshagraha Episode 32 - Hidimb Vadh and Bhima 's marriage Episode 33 - Bakasur Vadh Episode 34 - Dristadyumna & Draupadi Birth and Draupadi Swayamvar Episode 35 - Arjun Wins Draupadi and Later She Became the Wives of 5 Pandavas Episode 36 - Pandav Leave from Panchal to Hastinapur Episode 37 - Pandavas Arrives at Hastinapur and Kingdom Is Divided Episode 38 - Pandav Get Khandavprastha Episode 39 - Coronation of Yudhirsthir, Khandavprastha Becomes Indraprastha Episode 40 - Arjun runs away with Subhadra Episode 41 - Arjun Weds Subhadra. Arjun Gets Devdatta Conch and Gandiv and Bhim Gets His Gada Episode 42 - Jarasandh Vadh, Rajsuya Yagnya begins, Shishupals Story Episode 43 - Rajsuya Yagya, Shishupal Vadh Episode 44 - Vyas Predicts War, Draupadi Laughs at Duryodhan Episode 45 - Pandavas Go to Hastinapur to Gamble Episode 46 - Yudhirshthir Loses Everything Episode 47 - Vastraharan of Draupadi Episode 48 - Pandavas Get Back Everything Episode 49 - Re-match of Dyut Episode 50 - Vanvas Begins Episode 51 - Gandharvas Catch Duryodhan Episode 52 - Arjun Worships Lord Indra and Lord Shiva for Divyastra and Gets Pashupatastra Episode 53 - Krishna 's story of one grain of rice, Bhim meets Ghatotkach and Hanuman, Arjun learns dance from Chitrasen Episode 54 - Arjun gets curse of impotency from Urvashi, Abhimanyus as a kid, Jayadraths head is shaved Episode 55 - Story of Poisoned Water and Yaksha, Abhimanyu Is Grown - up Episode 56 - Agyatvas in Matsya Desh Episode 57 - Karna 's curse, Draupadi as Maid Sairandhri rejects Keechak Episode 58 - Keechak Vadh by Bheema Episode 59 - Kaurav Attack Matsya Desh Episode 60 - Viraat yudh and clothes for Uttaras dolls Episode 61 - Abhimanyu 's Marriage and Pandavs Decide to Send a Doot to Hastinapur Episode 62 - Dhritarashtra Does Not Agree and Sends Sanjay Episode 63 - Duryodhan gets Narayani Sena from Krishna Episode 64 - Krishna Goes to Hastinapur as Shanti Doot Episode 65 - Krishna tooks Virat Avtar and Indra takes Karna 's kawach kundala Episode 66 - Karna 's Identity Is Disclosed Episode 67 - Vidur resigns as a prime minister, Kunti meets Karna Episode 68 - Sanjay gets divya drishti, Ulluk goes to Pandavs Episode 69 - Duryodhan tricks Shalya to join Kauravas Episode 70 - Shikhandi 's Story Episode 71 - Arjun Worships Goddess Durga, Rules of War Laid Episode 72 - Kurukshetra War Begins and Arjun Drops His Weapons, Geeta Saar Begins Episode 73 - Geeta Saar Continues Episode 74 - Geeta Saar Continues and Krishna Shows His Maha - Avtaar Episode 75 - Yudhishthir Gets Blessings, Yuyutsu Changes Side and War Begins, Abhimanyu Faces Bhishma Episode 76 - Uttar dies, Arjun faces Bhishma and day 2 begins Episode 77 - Arjun is unstoppable, 3rd is over, 4th day begins, Bhim is surrounded, 10 Kauravs are killed, Krishna takes out his sudarshan Episode 78 - 9th Day Is Over and 16 Kauravs Are Dead, Bhisma Tells Arjun How to Take Him Out of the War Episode 79 - Bhishma lies on the Bed of Arrows, Karna meets Bhisma Episode 80 - Day 11, Dron tries to capture Yudhishthir but is unsuccessful, Shantanu comes to Bhishma Episode 81 - Chakra Vyuh Planned, Duryodhan Promises Susharma Episode 82 - Abhimanyu Vadh Episode 83 - Arjun Vows to Kill Jayadrath and Story About Jayadraths Curse Episode 84 - Arjun Breaks Kamal Vyuh to Get to Jayadrath Episode 85 - Jayadrath Vadh Episode 86 - Ghatotkach dies Episode 87 - Drona Dies Episode 88 - Dushasana dies and Karna fights with Arjun, Krishna puts the rath in the land so that Arjun is saved Episode 89 - Karna 's curse, Karna Dies Episode 90 - Shakuni Dies, Yudhishthir Curses All Woman Kind and Duryodhan Becomes Iron Bodied Episode 91 - Balaram arrives, Bhim - Duryodhan Gada Yudh Episode 92 - Duryodhan Dies, Ashwathama, Krip and Kritvarma Remain, Parikshit 's Story Episode 93 - Dhritarashtra Tries to Kill Bhim Episode 94 - Yudhisthir Becomes King of Hastinapur, Bhishma Dies Production According to production team member Kishore Malhotra, the total cost of producing the series was ₹ 9 crore ( US $1.4 million ). Firoz Khan was chosen to portray the character of Arjun ( which he later adopted as his screen name ) despite being rejected in auditions. Praveen Kumar was selected to portray Bheem after Chopra was looking for someone `` who could look the robust mythological character ''. Around six actors were shortlisted for the role of Draupadi, including Juhi Chawla, who opted out of the show as she had bagged a film. Ramya Krishnan and Roopa Ganguly were the final names, and at last Roopa Ganguly was chosen, as her Hindi was good. Govinda ( actor ) and Chunky Pandey were signed for the role of Abhimanyu, but they opted out when they bagged films. Later, Master Mayur played the role. Raj Babbar and Debashree Roy were the only two star actors of that time, who agreed to be parts of this venture. Broadcast It was shown in the United Kingdom by the BBC, where it achieved audience figures of 5 million. It was also the first programme broadcast on BBC2 after its 1991 revamp, but had also been shown late at night on BBC 1 the previous year. It has also been shown on FBC TV in Fiji and Star Utsav.It also aired on Epic. Dubbed versions were aired in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and also in Indonesia in the early 1990s on TPI ( now MNCTV ) and in the early 2000s on ANteve ( now antv ). Reception Lavanya Mohan of The Hindu on her article `` Retelling of Mahabharata on Television over the years '' wrote `` The version that left the maximum impact on me is BR Chopra 's. Yes, the sets were gaudy, the effects comical, and the acting got a little too dramatic at times, but the writing and the way the episodes were paced ensured that the series was ahead of its time. '' Home media The series was uploaded on the website `` Rajshri.com '' along with its dubbed Tamil version. Home video of Bengali dubbed version of its series has been released by Heart Video. Legacy Mahabharat along with Ramayana ( 1987 ) became one of the successful mythological television series in Indian television. Many actors went on to become popular through the series. Mukesh Khanna shot to fame as Bhishma and went on to name his production company after the character 's name and Roopa Ganguly went on to become a successful actress in Bengali cinema. See also Ramayan ( 1986 TV series ) References Jump up ^ `` B.R. Chopra ( Indian filmmaker ) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia ''. Britannica.com. Retrieved 2012 - 08 - 10. Jump up ^ McLain, Karline ( 2009 ). India 's immortal comic books : gods, kings, and other heroes. Indiana University Press. p. 46. ISBN 978 - 0 - 253 - 22052 - 3. Jump up ^ `` Behind the scenes : Dress designers to actors & deities ''. The Tribune. April 20, 2003. Retrieved June 2, 2013. Jump up ^ Title Song Lyrics from the TV Series Mahabharat, September 21, 2013, retrieved December 1, 2014 Jump up ^ Mahabharat Ki Mahabharat : The Making of B.R. Chopra 's `` Mahabharat '' Jump up ^ http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/mahabharats-arjun-gets-blacklisted/article3834854.ece Jump up ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/bheem-waiting-for-a-special-role/article372906.ece Jump up ^ `` Actors talk about what went into making Mahabharat in 1988 ''. Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 May 2016. Jump up ^ `` B.R. Chopra 's serial ' Mahabharat ' promises to be another bonanza 31101988 ''. m.indiatoday.in. Retrieved 2017 - 04 - 08. Jump up ^ `` BBC Genome : Mahabarat - transmission times ''. Retrieved 2015 - 10 - 01. Jump up ^ Epic Hindi Language Series Mahabharata Launches Exclusively on Rogers OMNI Television Channels In Ontario and British Columbia Jump up ^ The Returned : how British TV viewers came to lose their fear of subtitles Jump up ^ `` The TV Room ''. The TV Room. 16 February 1991. Retrieved 2010 - 09 - 01. Jump up ^ `` The TV Room ''. The TV Room. Retrieved 2010 - 09 - 01. Jump up ^ http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/retelling-of-mahabharata-on-television-over-the-years-epic-television/article7770181.ece Jump up ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/mahabharat-on-the-net/article3231819.ece Jump up ^ http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/mahabharat-now-in-bengali/article2912867.ece Jump up ^ http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/bishwanath-ghosh-gajendra-chauhans-appointment-as-ftii-chairman/article7460395.ece Jump up ^ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/no-childs-play/article7181850.ece External links Mahabharat on IMDb Films by B.R. Chopra Producer Dhool Ka Phool ( 1959 ) Waqt ( 1965 ) Ittefaq ( 1969 ) Aadmi Aur Insaan ( 1969 ) Zameer ( 1974 ) Chhoti Si Baat ( 1975 ) The Burning Train ( 1980 ) Agni Pareeksha ( 1981 ) Mazdoor ( 1983 ) Aaj Ki Awaaz ( 1984 ) Kirayadar ( 1986 ) Dahleez ( 1986 ) Pratigyabadh ( 1991 ) Baghban ( 2003 ) Baabul ( 2006 ) Director Afsana ( 1951 ) Chandni Chowk ( 1954 ) Ek Hi Raasta ( 1956 ) Naya Daur ( 1957 ) Sadhna ( 1958 ) Kanoon ( 1961 ) Gumrah ( 1963 ) Hamraaz ( 1967 ) Dastaan ( 1972 ) Dhund ( 1973 ) Karm ( 1977 ) Pati Patni Aur Woh ( 1978 ) Insaf Ka Tarazu ( 1980 ) Nikaah ( 1982 ) Tawaif ( 1985 ) Awam ( 1987 ) Kal Ki Awaz ( 1992 ) Television Mahabharat ( 1988 ) Works based on the Mahabharata Poetry Andhra Mahabharatam Bharatayuddha Kakawin Hariwangsa Plays Andha Yug Terukkuttu Urubhanga Yajnaseni Novels The Great Indian Novel Venmurasu Yajnaseni Films A Throw of Dice Agni Varsha Amba Ambika Ambalika Bala Bharatam Bhagavad Gita Bhakta Vidur Bhimsen Bhishma Chitrangada Daana Veera Soora Karna Dasavatharam Dasavatharam Draupadi Draupadi Vastrapaharanam ( 1934 ) Draupadi Vastrapaharanam ( 1936 ) Ghatotkachudu Hum Paanch Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki Kalyug Karnan Kattaikkuttu Mahabharat ( 1965 ) Mahabharat ( 1913 ) Mahabharat ( 1916 ) Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu The Mahabharata ( 1989 ) TV Serials Jai Shri Krishna Mahabharat ( 1988 ) Mahabharat ( 2013 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahabharat_(1988_TV_series)&oldid=800462291 '' Categories : Doordarshan television series Works based on the Mahabharata Indian mythological television series DD National television series Epic channel television series 1988 Indian television series debuts 1990 Indian television series endings 1980s Indian television series 1990s Indian television series Television programs based on poems Hidden categories : Use British English from March 2013 Use dmy dates from March 2013 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Galego हिन्दी Bahasa Indonesia 日本 語 ไทย Edit links This page was last edited on 13 September 2017, at 18 : 09. 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Question: who played the role of karna in mahabharata
Answer: Pankaj Dheer