The Hindu : New Delhi News : Mahabharata interpreted differently

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Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008
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Mahabharata interpreted differently

Madhur Tankha

Photo: Anu Pushkarna

Personal touch: Balaji Telefilms’ Ekta Kapoor at a press conference in New Delhi.

NEW DELHI: Her ongoing TV serial on the popular mythological epic may be a re-make of the soap opera shown in the 1980s, but Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms says she has given a personal touch to “Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki” on 9X.

The well-known television personality was in the Capital over the weekend to talk about the serial based on the epic.

“I know the serial is a re-make but I have given my own interpretation. For four months I sat down with my researchers and went through the Mahabharat written in both Tamil and Oriya. The works gave me an altogether different perspective to the epic. Even Peter Brooks gave his own interpretation to the mythological epic. As the story of Mahabharat is character-driven, we did extensive research work before airing the serial,” she said.

Stating that the Mahabharat had a huge background to it, Ekta added: “I started off the serial when Draupadi’s ‘cheer haran’ was taking place because losing one’s dignity in front of so many men was the ultimate humiliation for her. We have focused on Draupadi as her whole attitude was of a woman who had been ignominiously disgraced and that anger simmered in her even when Pandavs were living in exile.”

Dismissing suggestion that there were striking similarities between her serial and “Ramayana”, Ekta said: “There are no comparisons between the two serials. Mahabharat had more warriors than gods while Ramayana had more gods than warriors. In Mahabharat there were larger-than-life characters, while in Ramayana there were chequered characters. I chose Ronit Roy to play the all-important character of Bheeshma because the kind of power and brilliance that he brings to the small screen is tremendous.”

Informing that “Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabhaarat Ki” had reached a stage from where the high drama of the epic takes off, Ekta says in the upcoming episodes the Pandavas and Kauravas will be shown as adults. “As the adolescent boys become men, the high drama in their lives would begin to unfold. The high point of the epic story is a roller coaster ride of relationships, power, politics, emotions and human values.”

Besides Ronit, the serial has Chetan Hansraj, Sakshi Tanwar, Aryan Vaid, Rakshanda Khan and Makrand Deshpande.

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