Latest news with #Mahabharat
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Nitish Bharadwaj: Playing Krishna taught me great life lessons
The year is 1988. You eagerly plop yourself in front of your first TV set, a luxury for the times indeed, and tune into Doordarshan. Soon, you will witness an epic come to life before you. The elders around you devotedly mouth the two Bhagavad Gita verses that are sung at the start of the episode, but you are too eager to see him… he, who is the eighth avatar of Vishnu, embodying compassion, patience, and forgiveness — Lord Krishna, played flawlessly by actor Nitish Bharadwaj in BR Chopra's Mahabharat. Nostalgic, isn't it? And on June 8, he is coming to Hyderabad's Shilpakala Vedika to be Lord Krishna again, this time in writer-director Atul Satya Koushik's Hindi play Chakravyuh, so a whole new generation can also witness Kanhaiya's glory. 'In 1988, I was skeptical about playing Lord Krishna because I believed that the Chopras needed a more experienced actor to play the God,' reveals Nitish. But producer BR Chopra and his son, director Ravi Chopra, thought otherwise, believing that the young actor was the best fit. And Nitish accepted. He recalls why: 'Growing up, I was exposed to versions of the Mahabharat, the Gita, and Gyaneshwari, along with vast amounts of Marathi literature. I also enjoyed Marathi plays about Lord Krishna. All this had given me a strong understanding of Krishna's life, and so I accepted the role. Once I did, it was only about giving my best to it. The blessings of Ma Bhagwati, Krishna, and my parents helped.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Nakshatras as Mahabharat Characters: If the Stars Had Their Own Epic Roles
The Mahabharat isn't just a grand story about war, duty, and divine loopholes—it's actually a massive zodiac opera just waiting to be understood. The Nakshatras , which are the 27 lunar constellations in Vedic astrology, each have personalities that perfectly mirror the larger-than-life characters from this ancient epic. Here's a stellar lineup of who plays what role in this celestial drama. The Characters and Their Nakshatras: Ashwini – Nakul & Sahdev Traits : Quick, youthful, natural healers. Resonance: The Ashwini twins in mythology were known as celestial doctors. Nakul and Sahdev, famous for their beauty and skills, really embody this healing, twin-like energy. Bharani – Kunti Traits: Strong-willed, protective, carries heavy burdens and tough choices. Resonance: Bharani is ruled by Yama (the god of death), which mirrors Kunti's profound moral struggles and her secret births. She carries a quiet but powerful presence. Krittika – Draupadi Traits: Fierce, fiery, a natural protector. Resonance: Draupadi, the queen born from fire with five husbands, perfectly represents Krittika's flame-like pursuit of truth and unyielding sense of justice. Rohini – Krishna Traits: Charismatic, attractive, deeply nurturing. Resonance: Rohini, which is ruled by the Moon , is all about beauty and charm. Krishna, who was born under this Nakshatra, is the very embodiment of divine magnetism. Mrigashira – Arjuna Traits: Curious, restless, always seeking something more. Resonance: Arjuna's endless quest for truth, knowledge, and mastery fits this wandering lunar mansion perfectly, like a custom-made bow. Ardra – Karna Traits: An emotional storm, marked by tragedy and fierce loyalty. Resonance: Ardra symbolizes tears and intense transformation. Karna's life story is a rollercoaster of pain, unwavering loyalty, and immense karmic sacrifice. Punarvasu – Abhimanyu Traits: Represents return, regeneration, and innocence. Resonance: Born into a powerful warrior lineage, Abhimanyu dies young but gloriously. Punarvasu energy is all about cyclical rebirth—fittingly, his son later becomes king. Pushya – Bhishma Traits: Noble, self-sacrificing, a dedicated mentor. Resonance: Pushya is known as the "nourisher." Bhishma dedicated his life to nourishing the throne but gave up all his personal desires. His life was defined by unwavering duty. Magha – Duryodhana Traits: Regal, obsessed with his legacy, deeply prideful. Resonance: Magha is strongly associated with ancestry and royal bloodlines. Duryodhana perfectly embodied this sense of entitlement and an intense hunger for the throne. Purva Phalguni – Shikhandi Traits: Artistic, dramatic, plays a role in karmic balancing. Resonance: Shikhandi's entire life was a karmic performance designed to right a wrong from a past life. This fits the very "stage-play" energy of Purva Phalguni. Uttaraphalguni – Yudhishthir Traits: Just, consistent, strong leadership qualities. Resonance: As Dharma personified, Yudhishthir serves as the reluctant but morally bound ruler. Order and personal sacrifice are defining characteristics of this Nakshatra. Hasta – Sahdev Traits: Highly skilled, service-oriented, very clever. Resonance: Hasta is associated with skilled hands and service. Sahdev, known for his wisdom and sharp intellect, was the quiet, intelligent force among the Pandavas. Chitra – Krishna (the Strategist) Traits: Creative, an illusionist, a divine designer. Resonance: Krishna's role as the cosmic architect and brilliant strategist perfectly aligns with this Nakshatra, known for celestial beauty and subtle illusion. Swati – Vidura Traits: Independent, wise, often detached from outcomes. Resonance: Swati is a Nakshatra that doesn't just follow the crowd. Vidura, the clear voice of wisdom amidst all the chaos, never showed blind allegiance to anyone. Vishakha – Drona Traits: Driven, ambitious, often feels torn between paths. Resonance: Drona, caught between his loyalty and his desire for legacy, reflects Vishakha's inherent duality and fierce ambition. Anuradha – Sanjay Traits: Loyal, deeply devoted, a truth-teller. Resonance: Sanjay's unbreakable loyalty and his spiritual sight echo Anuradha's cosmic connection and disciplined nature. Jyeshtha – Gandhari Traits: An elder, intense, embodies great sacrifice. Resonance: Gandhari's profound sacrifice of sight by blindfolding herself and her deep emotional capacity mirror the wisdom and restraint of the elder Nakshatra Jyeshtha . Mula – Krishna (the Destroyer) Traits: A root destroyer, liberator, and deeply mystical. Resonance: Krishna's ultimate cosmic plan to uproot adharma (unrighteousness) aligns perfectly with Mula's role as the great destroyer of illusion and false foundations. Purva Ashadha – Dushasana Traits: Overconfident, aggressive, often unrestrained. Resonance: This Nakshatra's tendency for unchecked ambition and stubbornness perfectly fits Dushasana's unruly actions and eventual downfall. Uttara Ashadha – Karna (Redeemed Self) Traits: Righteous, heroic, ultimately noble. Resonance: Karna's profound loyalty and his eventual surrender to Dharma reflect the evolved and principled side of this Nakshatra. Shravana – Bhishma (the Teacher) Traits: An excellent listener, a dedicated learner, leaves a lasting legacy. Resonance: In his later years, Bhishma selflessly passed on immense wisdom—a classic representation of Shravana's energy for oral tradition and profound listening to dharma. Dhanishta – Ashwatthama Traits: Brave, vengeful, carries an eternal quality. Resonance: Born into rhythm and war, Dhanishta vibrates with celestial drumbeats. Ashwatthama's immortal curse adds a layer of cosmic irony to its rhythm. Shatabhisha – Ekalavya Traits: Detached, mystical, entirely self-made. Resonance: Shatabhisha is a healer. Ekalavya, the outsider who possessed divine skill and a quiet inner rage, represents its shadow healer archetype. Purva Bhadrapada – Ghatotkach Traits: Fierce, mystical, a powerful protector. Resonance: This Nakshatra, known for its magical and intense energy, is believed to birth larger-than-life warriors like Ghatotkach. Uttara Bhadrapada – Vyasa Traits: Deep, profoundly spiritual, incredibly wise. Resonance: Vyasa, the very author of the Mahabharat, embodies patience and deep mysticism. Uttara Bhadrapada represents timeless truth and profound wisdom. Revati – Subhadra Traits: Gentle, blessed with luck, pure-hearted. Resonance: Subhadra, Krishna's sister and Abhimanyu's mother, embodies Revati's sweetness, auspiciousness, and divine feminine grace. Punarvasu – Pandu Traits: Represents regeneration and repeated lessons. Resonance: Pandu's storyline, including his ascetic life and the karmic lessons he faced, perfectly reflects this Nakshatra's cyclical return-to-source nature. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Aamir Khan hints Mahabharat could be his final film: 'I may not be able to do anything after this'
Actor Aamir Khan spoke candidly about his long-standing dream project — a film adaptation of the Mahabharat. The actor, known for his selective approach to films, said this may very well be the last movie he ever works on. In a recent conversation on entrepreneur Raj Shamani's podcast, Aamir Khan candidly confessed, 'Look, it's a dream of mine to make the Mahabharat. I'll start working on it after the release of 'Sitaare Zameen Par', which is on June 20,' Khan said. 'I feel that this is a project — once I do it, I might feel like I may not be able to do anything after that, because the material is so powerful.' Khan described the epic as 'layered, emotional, vast in scale, and filled with grandeur,' adding, 'Everything that exists in the world can be found in the Mahabharat.' While he hinted at the possibility of retirement after this magnum opus, the actor also expressed his desire to keep working for as long as he can. 'I do hope I die with my shoes on — like AK Hangal — working till the end. That's something we all hope for,' he added. The announcement has stirred excitement among fans, especially as Mahabharat is expected to be one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema. Khan's emotional connection to the project and its scale suggest that it could be the defining film of his career — and possibly his last. Aamir Khan is currently preparing for his upcoming sports drama 'Sitaare Zaameen Par', which is set to hit cinemas on June 20, 2025. He will also appear alongside Rajinikanth in 'Coolie', directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. In addition to acting, Aamir is producing 'Lahore 1947', a period drama starring Sunny Deol and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Is Mahabharat Aamir Khan's Last Film? Actor Says, "I Cannot Do Anything After This"
Aamir Khan is all set for the release of his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par. The RS Prasanna directorial is scheduled to hit cinema screens on June 20. Up next, the superstar will begin work on his long-cherished dream project, Mahabharat. In a recent interview with Raj Shamani, Aamir hinted that Mahabharat might be his final project. Speaking about the scale of bringing the mythological epic to life on screen, Aamir Khan said, 'It's layered, it has emotion, it has scale, everything you find in the world, you will find in Mahabharat…Maybe after doing this, I will feel that I have nothing left to do. I cannot do anything after this, as the material of this film is going to be like that." He added, "I hope that I die with my shoes on, but since you are asking, this is the one thing I can think of. Perhaps after this, I will feel that I don't need to do anything else." In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Aamir Khan shared his vision for Mahabharat. 'That's one of my biggest ambitions," the actor said, admitting that even developing the script would take years. "We'll see who we should cast based on who's appropriate for which part. I don't think you can tell the 'Mahabharat' in one film, so it will be multiple films. I am looking at the large scale," he added. Noting that it may be a multi-director project, he concluded, "To complete it within a set time, we will need more than one director." Aamir Khan is also producing Rajkumar Santoshi's period-drama Lahore 1947, featuring Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Aamir Khan hints at hanging up his shoes after Mahabharata adaptation: ‘I will feel that I don't need to do anything else'
Aamir Khan is gearing up for the release of his next film, Sitaare Zameen Par, but he seems even more enthusiastic about producing an adaptation of the Mahabharata. In a recent interview, the actor-filmmaker said that once he brings the epic to the screen, there would be nothing more left for him to achieve. In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Aamir said he believes the grandeur of the Mahabharata adaptation is such that, after making a film based on India's ancient epic by sage Ved Vyas, he would have nothing more left to accomplish. He said, 'It's layered, it has emotion, it has scale, everything you find in the world, you will find in Mahabharata. Maybe after doing this, I will feel that I have nothing left to do. I cannot do anything after this, as the material of this film is going to be like that.' 'I hope that I die with my shoes on, but since you are asking, this is the one thing I can think of. Perhaps after this, I will feel that I don't need to do anything else,' the actor-filmmaker added. Earlier, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Aamir Khan spoke about his vision for Mahabharat. 'That's one of my biggest ambitions. We'll see who we should cast based on who's appropriate for which part. I don't think you can tell the Mahabharata in one film, so it will be multiple films. I am looking at the large scale,' he shared. Aamir also hinted that the adaptation might need multiple directors. Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zaameen Par is scheduled to hit screens on June 20.
