# Mahakali – Anth Hi Aarambh Hai

Mahakaali — Anth Hi Aarambh Hai (transl. Mahakali — The end marks the beginning) is an Indian Hindi-language television series that premiered on 22 July 2017 on Colors TV and concluded on 5 August 2018. The show traced the epic story of Goddess Parvati's metamorphosis into Goddess Mahakali. Produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Swastik Productions, it starred Pooja Sharma in the title role of Goddess Mahakali and Sourabh Raj Jain as Lord Shiva.

## Plot

The show's plot revolves around the much-adored tale of Parvati (the wife of Shiva) and her alter-ego, Mahakali.
Goddess of the Universe creates Vishnu – the protector and Brahma – the creator and Shiva – the destroyer, and Tridevi. According to her promise to Shiva, who expressed his love to her, she takes multiple births on earth to woo and wed Him. He is entrusted with the duty of transforming her earthly incarnations into Mahakali but failed 107 times (of which the 107th birth was of Sati). So, Adi Parashakti finally incarnates as the Devi of the Himalayas and is renowned as Parvati the 108th birth.
With her strong will and intense devotion, Parvati becomes the wife of Shiva. However, their marriage is threatened when the demon king Shumbha along with his brother Nishumbha and their demon army attacks. Shumbha expresses his desire to marry Parvati and wages war against Shiva. In an attempt to protect all those who have taken up refuge in her home at Mount Kailash, Parvati rushes into the war, successfully channeling Mahakali, her untamed warrior side through her unbound rage. Her rampage inspires other goddesses like Lakshmi, Saraswati and Indrani to bring forth their inner warriors and fight alongside Mahakali.
Mahakali is able to overthrow Shumbha's and Nishumbha's tyrannical rule and slay all his associates (including famed demons like Mahishasura, Bhandasura, Tarakasura, Raktabija and Chanda and Munda) in the process.
In years following her triumph, Shiva and Parvati expand their family to include their sons Ganesha and Kartikeya. Further stories highlight annihilation of threats like Banasura, Narakasura, Arunasura, Durgamasura, Andhakasura and the like – all being formidable demons she famously killed in various incarnations. The show also highlights the importance of family sticking up for each other, as the Kailash-Parivar face multiple social challenges and deconstruct many primitive thought processes.

## Cast
### Main

* Pooja Sharma as Goddess Mahakali / Goddess Parvati / Goddess Durga / Goddess Lalita
* Saurabh Raj Jain as Shiva

### Recurring

* Kanan Malhotra as Lord Vishnu
* Nikita Sharma as Goddess Lakshmi
* Falaq Naaz as Goddess Sarasvati
* Akash Kumar as Brahmadev
* Meghan Jadhav as Lord Kartikeya
* Krish Chauhan as Lord Ganesha
* Gagan Kang / Manish Bishla as Indradev
* Amit Bhanushali as Sheshnaag
* Arjit Lavania / Abhishek Avasthi as Nandi
* Faisal Khan as Garuda
* Sahil Uppal as Sher
* Hitanshu Jinsi as Vayudev
* Sandeep Rajora as Suryadev
* Debina Bonerjee / Rimpi Das as Goddess Ganga
* Himanshu Bamzai as Narantaka-Devantaka
* Shailesh Datar as Maharishi Narada
* Rohit Khurana as Shanidev
* Vishal Nayak as Agnidev
* Preeti Chaudhary as Kritika
* Nimai Bali as Maharishi Ushana
* Shafaq Naaz as Vrinda
* Chandni Bhagwanani as Behula
* Reshmi Ghosh as Mansa
* Amrita Prakash / Divyangana Jain as Goddess Mohini
* Divyaalakshmi / Sneha Namanandi as Daruka
* Rohit Bakshi as Kamadeva / Bhandasura
* Vinita Joshi Takkar as Goddess Rati
* Aabhaas Mehta as Shumbha
* Danish Akhtar / Varun Pandey as Nishumbha
* Nirbhay Wadhwa as Mahishasura
* Kunal Bakshi as Andhakasura
* V S Prince Ratan as Akash Dev
* Dinesh Mehta as Narakasura
* Shilpa Saklani as Diti
* Unknown as Adi

## Production
### Development

   We are utilizing high-end VFX and prosthetics to highlight the fantastical element in the story, in keeping with the mythological era. Intense research has led us to the ideal depiction on-screen, and we hope that the viewers like Mahakaali as much as they have supported Karmphal Data Shani.”
Actress Pooja Sharma also shared that it took nearly 3–4 hours for her to get painted in her Kali avatar. The set designs were different from other similar shows as the producer, Siddharth Tiwary, shared that he wanted the concept of the visualisation to be unique, and that the story would be blend of some fiction and stories from different Puranas.

## Reception
### Ratings

The show opened up with 6507 impressions and was the third most watched urban television show in its debut week in India.
The Times of India stated, "The show is a perfect blend of drama and mythology. Compared to the other shows, the VFX effects used in Mahakali are excellent and seeps one into the world of fantasy. Right from the backdrop setting to the costume drama, the make-believe looks convincing and draws you into its tale. The show has elaborate costumes and jewellery which make it furthermore engaging to watch."