Mahabharat (2013 tv Series) was one of the most ambitious and most visually grand mythological television series ever made in India, Mahabharat (2013). The show, which was based on the old Sanskrit epic authored by Vyasa, brought the age-old story about dharma, power, destiny, and war back to the contemporary audience. The series was made by Swastik Productions and aired in Star Plus between 16 September 2013 and 16 August 2014, totalling 267 episodes. Cinematic imagery, extensive VFX, a philosophical script, and a huge ensemble cast made Mahabharat a groundbreaker in terms of scale, budget, and plot on Indian television. In this article the full information about Cast of Mahabharat (2013 tv Series) will be discussed.
Mahabharat (2013 TV Series): Overview
This series was written and produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewary who had spent almost four years in research and development before adapting the epic to the screen. In contrast to earlier versions, this one focused on character psychology, ethical dilemmas, and multiple motivations, portraying even the villains as complex and human. The show combined mythology with the contemporary narration style and was backed by a strong background score by Ajay- Atul, rich sets and costumes based on historical research.
| Category | Information |
| Genre | Mythological / Epic |
| Creator | Siddharth Kumar Tewary |
| Based on | Mahabharata by Vyasa |
| Language | Hindi |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Episodes | 267 |
| Episode Runtime | ~22 minutes |
| Network | Star Plus |
| Streaming | Disney+ Hotstar |
| Production House | Swastik Productions |
| Original Run | Sept 2013 – Aug 2014 |
Mahabharat (2013 TV Series) Premise and Storyline
The series opens with story of Bhishma, the son of King Shantanu and Goddess Ganga, whose pledge to celibacy for life and giving up claim to the throne led to a great change in the destiny of Hastinapura and also planted the seeds of future conflict. It recounts the rule of Dhritarashtra, the blind and troubled king, and that of Pandu, the ill, fated yet virtuous king, with their wives Kunti and Gandhari. It is from these two couples that the Pandavas and Kauravas are born whose strife becomes the cause of the Kurukshetra War. Krishna is the central figure who, through his wisdom, dharma, and everlasting philosophical teachings, directs everything.
Main Cast of Mahabharat (2013 TV Series)
1. Saurabh Raj Jain as Lord Krishna
The spiritual and philosophical support of the series is Lord Krishna, the divine incarnation of Vishnu and the head of the Yadava clan. Krishna influences events without having to pick up a weapon by playing mentor, strategist, and guide to the Pandavas. His narrative chapters at the end of each episode bridge the moral quandary of the epic to life lessons that are both divine and familiar.
2. Shaheer Sheikh as Arjuna
Arjuna, the third Pandava and an unparalleled archer, is depicted as a warrior who is constantly in conflict between duty and emotion. These personal contradictions culminate in the Kurukshetra war, during which Krishna gives him Bhagavad Gita as a guidance. The character of Shaheer Sheikh emphasizes the vulnerability, discipline and unwavering dedication of Arjuna to dharma.
3. Pooja Sharma as Draupadi
Draupadi, the fire-born princess of Panchala who married the five Pandavas is a symbol of dignity, strength and justifiable anger. The humiliation she faces publicly in the Kuru court turns out to be a pivotal moment that speeds up the movement towards the war. The play of Pooja Sharma focuses more on the emotional strength and moral authority of Draupadi.
4. Aham Sharma as Karna
Karna, the son of Surya and Kunti is presented as one of the most tragic and complicated characters of the epic. His unmatched talents and generosity take their toll, and he is rejected all his life because he is looked down upon because he was born so low. His undying devotion to Duryodhana and his oppressed Pandav caste provide new levels of emotional color to his heroic but ill-fated mission.
5. Arav Chowdhary as Bhishma
The old Mahaprabhu Bhishma, the great grandfather of the Kuru dynasty, is a symbol of sacrifice, duty and adherence to oaths. He is committed to the Kauravas, even though he is morally on the side of the Pandavas because he is bound to his oath of celibacy and loyalty to Hastinapura. His tragic position as commander-in-chief is the bitter price of obstinate obedience to duty.
6. Arpit Ranka as Duryodhana
Duryodhana is the elder Kaurava prince, who is ambitious, insecure, and full of entitlement. Most of the conflict in the epic is driven by his rivalry with the Pandavas, notably, Bhima and Arjuna. Arpit Ranka does not depict him only as a villain, but as a defected man who is formed by envy and pride.
7. Praneet Bhat as Shakuni
The mastermind of most conspiracies is Shakuni, the wily prince of Gandhara and maternal uncle of the Kauravas. Out of anger and revenge towards the Kuru kingdom, he uses dice games and political intrigue to ruin the Pandavas. He uses calculated intelligence and psychological warfare, making him one of the most dangerous characters in the epic.
8. Rohit Bhardwaj as Yudhishthira
Yudhishthira, the youngest among Pandavas and the epitome of righteousness, is always in the fight to defend the truth at the highest cost to himself. His commitment to dharma results in exile, loss, and moral challenges especially the notorious dice game. Rohit Bhardwaj demonstrates him as a relaxed, reflective, and morally upright person.
9. Saurav Gurjar as Bhima
The second Pandava, Bhima, the son of Vayu, is a symbol of brute power, ruthless devotion, and righteous indignation. Some of the most violent and emotional moments of the epic are caused by his vows, particularly his anti-Dushasana vows. The physical appearance of Saurav Gurjar underscores the role of Bhima as the main justice enforcer of the Pandavas.
10. Nirbhay Wadhwa as Dushasana
The second Kaurava brother, Dushasana, is known to have humiliated Draupadi. His moral blindness toward Duryodhana and his nescience render him an icon of unbridled brutality. Bhima eventually fulfills one of the epic’s strongest vows by killing him.
11. Thakur Anoop Singh as Dhritarashtra
The blind king of Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra, is depicted as the pitiable ruler who is confused between justice and fatherhood. His failure to contain his sons despite the sound advice of Vidura and Gandhari hastens the collapse of the kingdom. The character expresses the destructive nature of emotional blindness compared to physical blindness.
12. Nissar Khan as Dronacharya
Drona serves Hastinapura as the royal sage of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas and stands as a great warrior. He is in love with Arjuna, but he goes to war with Kauravas, which brings him to a morally complicated end. The morality of strategic deception leads to his demise, which emphasizes the ethical gray areas of war.
13. Ankit Mohan as Ashwatthama
The son of Drona, Ashwatthama is portrayed as enraged, impulsive, and tragic forever. The war results in Krishna cursing him with immortality and misery after his night massacre of the Pandava camp. The character is a representation of untamed anger and the inability to reverse the effects of retribution.
Full Cast of Mahabharat (2013 TV Series)
| Actor | Role | Episodes | Years |
| Saurabh Raj Jain | Krishna | 267 | 2013–2014 |
| Shaheer Sheikh | Arjuna | 267 | 2013–2014 |
| Pooja Sharma | Draupadi | 267 | 2013–2014 |
| Aham Sharma | Karna | 265 | 2013–2014 |
| Arpit Ranka | Duryodhana | 258 | 2013–2014 |
| Praneet Bhatt | Shakuni | 258 | 2013–2014 |
| Arav Chowdharry | Bhishma | 256 | 2013–2014 |
| Rohit Bharadwaj | Yudhishthira | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Saurav Gurjar | Bhima | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Thakur Anoop Singh | Dhritarashtra | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Nissar Khan | Dronacharya | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Riya Deepsi | Gandhari | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Shafaq Naaz | Kunti | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Vinay Rana | Nakula | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Lavanya Bhardwaj | Sahadeva | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Naveen Jinger | Vidura | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Ankit Mohan | Ashwatthama | 253 | 2013–2014 |
| Mallika Nayak | Sudeshna | 191 | 2014 |
| Arpan Das | Young Yudhishthira | 191 | 2014 |
| Nirbhay Wadhwa | Dushasana | 179 | 2013–2014 |
| Sudesh Berry | Drupada | 178 | 2013–2014 |
| Karan Suchak | Dhrishtadyumna | 178 | 2013–2014 |
| Veebha Anand | Subhadra / Yogmaya | 173 | 2013–2014 |
| Shikha Singh | Shikhandini | 133 | 2013–2014 |
| Paras Arora | Abhimanyu | 125 | 2013–2014 |
| Richa Mukherjee | Uttara | 125 | 2013–2014 |
| Arun Rana | Pandu | 124 | 2013–2014 |
| Sayantani Ghosh | Satyavati | 124 | 2013–2014 |
| Sameer Dharmadhikari | Shantanu | 124 | 2013–2014 |
| Hemant Choudhary | Kripacharya | 124 | 2013–2014 |
| Atul Mishra | Ved Vyasa | 121 | 2013–2014 |
| Mansi Sharma | Ambalika | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Ratan Rajput | Amba | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Aryamann Seth | Vichitravirya | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Aparna Dixit | Ambika | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Suhani Dhanki | Madri | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Pallavi Subhash | Rukmini | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Vaishnavi Dhanraj | Hidimbi | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Tarun Khanna | Balarama | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Nazea Sayed | Vrushali | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Pravisht Mishra | Uttar | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Deepak Jethi | Virata | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Ajay Mishra | Sanjaya | 120 | 2013–2014 |
| Niel Satpuda | Prativindhya | 119 | 2014 |
| Joy R. S. Mathur | Shishupala | 116 | 2014 |
| Vivana Singh | Ganga | 99 | 2013–2014 |
| Ketan Karande | Ghatotkacha | 95 | 2013–2014 |
| Amit Mehra | Lord Shiva | 33 | 2014 |
| Mohit Raina | Lord Shiva | 1 | 2013 |
Mahabharat (2013 TV Series) Production Scale and Budget
Mahabharat (2013) has made a record in Indian Television by being the most expensive television show at that time. The creators had spent almost ₹100 crores on production, and another ₹20-₹20 crores or more on marketing and promotion. The day-to-day production was in the range of ₹13 -₹15 lakh, backed by a huge workforce of more than 400 crew members, and a team of 200+ dedicated VFX and graphics department. The huge sets used in the show were also one of its largest attractions, comprising 10 acres in Umargam, Gujarat designed by famed art director Omung Kumar. These sets alone are estimated at ₹100 crore, faithfully reproducing familiar places like Hastinapura, Indraprastha and Kurukshetra, with a cinematic specificity and realism that is seldom accomplished on television.
| Category | Details |
| Production Budget | ~₹100 crore |
| Marketing Spend | ₹20+ crore |
| Daily Production Cost | ₹13–15 lakh |
| Crew Size | 400+ members |
| VFX Team | 200+ artists |
| Set Area | 10 acres (Umargam, Gujarat) |
| Premiere Viewership | ~8.4 million impressions |
| Peak Viewership | ~10 TVM |
| Rerun Success | Top-rated during 2020 lockdown |
Mahabharat (2013 TV Series) Filming Locations
Even though Mahabharat (2013) was mainly filmed on enormous custom-made sets in Umargam, Gujarat, the creators made extensive use of actual outdoor locations to create realism and to give the film an epic feel. Jaisalmer deserts created a rugged setting of exiles and battle and Jaipur added the palace grandeur of the Amber Palace to palace scenes. The visuals showcased scenic forests and retreats in Kashmir, while expansive outdoor narratives featured locations across Madhya Pradesh. To provide the series with the international look, some scenes were also shot in Nepal and Sri Lanka whose natural terrain fitted perfectly the mythological setting. These diverse settings greatly enhanced the cinematic value and the immersion quality of the show.
| Location | Purpose / Visual Use |
| Umargam, Gujarat | Main sets (Hastinapura, Indraprastha, Kurukshetra) |
| Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | Exile & battle landscapes |
| Amber Palace, Jaipur | Royal palace sequences |
| Kashmir | Forests & serene backdrops |
| Madhya Pradesh | Outdoor & war-related scenes |
| Nepal | Natural landscapes |
| Sri Lanka | Exotic terrain for select sequences |
Mahabharat (2013 TV Series) Reviews & Ratings
Mahabharat (2013-2014) was highly criticized and enjoyed by its extravagant production, strong acting, and the contemporary but dignified remake of the epic. The show had peak TRP ratings of approximately 10, particularly when it was airing landmark episodes such as the Draupadi cheer haran, and weekly viewership of 8-10 million. It has an impressive 8.8/10 rating on IMDb with people loving its visuals, direction, background score and philosophical content, especially the Bhagavad Gita narrations by Krishna. Although critics noted minor effects and departures in some aspects of the show, especially in the VFX, most widely recognized as a breakthrough in Indian television, the show was solidified with numerous awards and high-rating returns during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.
Mahabharat (2013 TV Series) – Ratings & Reception Snapshot
| Platform / Metric | Rating / Result | Highlights |
| IMDb | 8.8 / 10 | Acting, visuals, Krishna’s role |
| Television TRP | Peak ~10 | Dice game & cheer haran episodes |
| Weekly Viewership | 8–10 million | Consistent mass appeal |
| Major Awards | Multiple wins | ITA & Indian Telly Awards |
| Reruns (2020) | Top-rated | Lockdown viewership success |
Mahabharat (2013 TV Series): Awards and Nominations
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2014 | Star Guild Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | Siddharth Kumar Tewary & Team | Won |
| 2014 | Star Guild Awards | Best Mythological Series | Mahabharat | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Historical / Mythological Serial | Mahabharat | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Visual Effects | Swastik Productions | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actor – Popular | Shaheer Sheikh (Arjuna) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Aham Sharma (Karna) | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Praneet Bhat (Shakuni) | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Lead Role | Saurabh Raj Jain (Krishna) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Lead Role | Shaheer Sheikh (Arjuna) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actress in a Lead Role | Pooja Sharma (Draupadi) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Arav Chowdhary (Bhishma) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Rohit Bharadwaj (Yudhishthira) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Shafaq Naaz (Kunti) | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Costumes for a TV Programme | Bhanu Athaiya | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Makeup Artist | G. A. Jamesh | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Stylist | Shweta Korde | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Ensemble | Siddharth Kumar Tewary | Won |
| 2014 | Gold Awards | Best Actor in a Lead Role | Shaheer Sheikh | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Aham Sharma | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Praneet Bhat | Won |
Costumes and Visual Design
The costume design of Mahabharat enhanced its visual authenticity. Nidhi Yasha, and the legendary consultant Bhanu Athaiya, researched much on ancient textiles, jewellery, armor, and period fashions with over 450 books on ancient history. Every costume, the royal gowns, the warrior armor and everyday clothes were to be in accordance with status, character development and cultural stratification which were meant to provide extra depth and credibility to the visual narrative of the epic.
Cultural Legacy
Mahabharat (2013) made a permanent contribution to the culture of the Indian population by reimagining the magnitude and ambition of Indian television about mythology. It established completely new budget standards in television production, brought to the small screen VFX and massive set design previously seen in films, and, most importantly, reinvented an ancient epic in a manner that would find much appeal with a younger demographic. The combination of visual spectacle, philosophical nuances and the modern retelling of the story opened the door to the mythological content to a wider audience. Decades after it originally aired, Mahabharat remains one of the most-viewed and most-discussed Indian television series and has been able to remain relevant by being rerun, streamed online, or still discussed, and has settled squarely with its legacy as a contemporary television classic.
Conclusion
Mahabharat (2013–2014) marks a milestone in Indian television history by redefining how creators present mythological epics on the small screen. The series was able to combine ancient knowledge with a new approach to the film as it has a huge scale of production, story-telling, acting, and philosophical undertones. The entire Cast of Mahabharat (2013 TV series) played their role to perfection and made the show the a milestone in the Indian television industry. The enduring popularity, the highest number of viewers ever, its award and the successful rerun of the show are the evidence that the Mahabharat is not a TV show only but a cultural phenomenon that inspires and speaks to the generations.
FAQs
A1. It became a regular daytime program of Star Plus on 16 September 2013 and continued until 16 August 2014.
A2. Saurabh Raj Jain was in the role of Lord Krishna.
A3. The show has 267 episodes in total.
A4. The most costly TV series in India then, it was characterized by its large sets, VFX and contemporary storytelling.
A5. Disney+ Hotstar allows streaming the series.
Article Code: CASOF-MAG-001
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