Ankur Batra and Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; March 29, 2020)

After announcing the retelecast of Ramayan, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted on Friday that DD Bharati will be airing B R Chopra’s Mahabharat as well. The three-decadeold series is being shown every day at noon and 7pm. Excited about the rerun, the actors of the epic show say that it will help keep people engaged amid the Coronavirus lockdown and give them valuable life lessons.

MAHABHARAT CAN TEACH PEOPLE THE ‘ART OF LIVING’ IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES: NITISH BHARDWAJ
Speaking to us about the rerun, the original Krishna of Indian television, Nitish Bhardwaj, says, “Mahabharat is a mirror of life, which can help us sail through all the trials and tribulations of life. It teaches us to face all battles of life, rise above the perils of emotions and be righteous. It has so many lessons, which are relevant for all times. This is a new opportunity for the current generation to learn in the most engaging and entertaining manner.” He adds, “If the current generation ignores the VFX of the serial, which was practically unavailable in India then, and focusses on the dialogues of Dr Rahi Masoom Raza, I am sure they will learn the ‘art of living’ in these difficult times and not turn negative. Now is the time to fight our battle and Mahabharat teaches us how to do that.”

When asked what was the most challenging part of his role, he replies, “The episodes of Bhagwad Gita were the most difficult. The Almighty’s blessings and my mother’s teachings on Hindu literature helped me sail through.” So, how is he coping with the current lockdown? “I practise meditation, yoga and pranayam. I also spend time cooking and reading Indian and world literature, apart from brushing up my screenwriting and directorial skills,” he shares, adding, “What we need to do now is crisis management; avoid boredom by enhancing our skills. We also need to introspect. We must build a better tomorrow. I hope to see a new India after the lockdown in terms of people’s behaviour and psyche, which can only happen with Swadhyay or self-education.”


AHANKAAR MAT KARO WAS THE MAIN MESSAGE IN MAHABHARAT: PUNEET ISSAR
Puneet Issar, who played Duryodhan in show, equates the ongoing fight against coronavirus with the battle of Mahabharat. “The epic retained maximum viewership till its last episode. And airing it during this time will help everyone regain focus. Each episode will help viewers do self-analysis, while throwing light on their strengths and weaknesses,” he says, adding, “I remember in 1988, when the series had started, the roads used to be empty. And today also it’s the same, owing to the lockdown and curfew. History repeats itself.”

Issar shares, “Mahabharat helped me grow as an actor, besides giving me the ability to understand what life is all about. It teaches how to stay calm, and also talks about what can instigate you. Like today, staying indoors is a test of patience. Bahar na nikalna can leave you exhausted, but it’s your patience which will eventually pay. Ahankaar mat karo was the main message in Mahabharat. Some people are arrogant and feel that the virus cannot touch them. Many of the characters in Mahabharat had also thought no one can eliminate them. But they were wrong.”


THE SHOW WILL HELP PEOPLE INTROSPECT: GIRJA SHANKAR
Girja Shankar, better known as Dhritarashtra of Mahabharat, continues to live under the shadow of the character. “Even after Mahabharat got over, Dhritarashtra never left me,” he says, adding, “Mahabharat’s rerun will help lower stress levels and anxiety, which I feel is spiking in this time of coronavirus. It will help people introspect. They will draw strength from it. Their entire perspective of life will change.”

Girja shares, “Mahabharat teaches us that jo kuch hai sab yahin hai. You will get back what you do. In my profession, there are people who get egoistic, but this virus has halted everything. Indirectly, the situation teaches us to remain humble.”


BACK THEN, SUNDAYS WITNESSED CURFEW-LIKE SITUATION WHEN THE SERIAL WAS ON: GUFI PAINTAL
Gufi Paintal, who played the scheming Shakuni mama, is excited about the rerun. “We are all looking forward to it. There’s a shutdown, otherwise I would have gone to my (onscreen) bhanja Puneet Issar’s place to see it,” he says, adding, “Mahabharat is the reflection of the world... rage, desire, fight for supremacy. The younger generation will get to witness the golden era of television.”

In today’s situation, the veteran actor feels Mahabharat has an important role to play, especially when people are looking for ways to beat boredom amid the nationwide lockdown. “Back then, Sundays witnessed curfew-like situation when the serial was on. And today, too, when there’s a lockdown we are coming again. It’s not a co-incidence. Ab fast food (referring to daily soaps) toh nahin mil raha, so achhi tarah paka hua khana (Mahabharat) ab swaad increase karega (laughs). The ras bhara time is coming back, we must sit together to relish it,” he signs off.