Aeons ago, Ved Vyas and Valmiki visualised two stories Mahabharat and Ramayan which went onto become the greatest epics of India. The theme behind both the epics is the triumph of good over evil which has been read, understood, practised, preached and most importantly for us, being made into films and serials, over and over again.

Other Stories

Sweta Keswani— Outspoken and modern

Ever since filmmaking started in India, mythologicals have played an important part in educating the audience about the true values of life. Children and elders alike have enjoyed watching their favourite Gods defeating the evil demons. Depicting the fight between good and evil through Ramayan and Mahabharat turned out to be money spinners for its makers. Though quite a few films have been made based on the two epics, it took a Ramanand Sagar to give Ramayan and a BR Chopra to give Mahabharat a new dimension to bring it into the living rooms of not only Indian houses, but even on foreign shores.

The stupendous success of Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan and BR Chopra’s Mahabharat almost fifteen years ago on Doordarshan created history and created a milestone in mythologicals. Time and again, these two mythogicals have been re-telecast and each time it has developed a new following among the audience.

Arun Govil as Ram became a household name, so did Deepika Chikalia as Sita in Ramayan. Mukesh Khanna as Bhishma Pitamah, Nitish Bharadwaj as Krishna, Rupa Ganguly as Draupadi, Puneet Issar as Duryodhan and Pankaj Dheer as Karna too, made an impact on the viewers. That the epics haven’t lost their charm is evident from the fact that they are once again being
resurrected on the television in an all-new avatar. This time the story of Ram and Sita is being made by B R Chopra and the goings-on in Indraprastha by Sanjay Khan. Both have a good track record as far as mythos go (Sanjay Khan made Jai Hanuman) so the expectations are very high considering they have to compete with the earlier adaptations of both the epics.

Both Mahabharat and Ramayan are being aired on Zee, every Sunday morning and the two directors - Sanjay Khan and Ravi Chopra are very upbeat about reviving the age-old epics. This time Nitish Bharadwaj - Krishna of Mahabharat is playing Ram. Looks like atleast in reel life he is the avatar of Vishnu who’s supposed to have been Ram in one birth and Krishna in another birth. Smriti Malhotra, Tulsi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is playing the role of Sita in Ramayan. Sanjay Khan, however, has cast all new faces in his Mahabharat.

The two mythos have generated interest among televiewers, who are glued to their TV sets watching the triumph of good over evil. Mahabharat premiered on December 30, 2001 and Ramayan was recently premiered on January 20, 2002.

We, at Screen caught both the directors who had a lot to say about their creations.

What inspired you to make both the mythos again?
Sanjay Khan: Mahabharat is a great classic and has a huge dimension to it.It’s unique in its own sense, unparallel in world literature, and deals with humane aspects like pain, lust, greed, gain, revenge, ambition, injustice while underlining the philosophical aspects of life. Making Mahabharat in today’s time to educate the people of India is a task that God has bestowed on me. If you notice, any controversy in human life is directly connected with Mahabharat. The influence is so strong that from time to time, one has to replenish the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita to inspire people, to lead a truthful life. I have adapted the story to suit the present times and am trying my best to convey the essence of the great classic.

Ravi Chopra: I would like to be honest and confess that the channel, i.e., Zee asked me to make Ramayan. It’s indeed a great challenge because Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan was a great hit. However, I feel that it’s one of the most beautiful mythologicals drawing great admiration from the audience and scholars alike. I have made it more contemporary keeping in mind today’s problems. I do hope that people will appreciate my hard work because it’s not easy to replicate success. Deep down in my heart, I am a bit scared also (smiles).

How different is it from the earlier version?
Sanjay Khan: (in a pensive mood) Differences are bound to be there because no two filmmakers are the same in their way of approach, thinking, art of dramatics or working style. Comparisons should never be made because each person who creates something has not only worked hard but also tried to capture the great epic in its full splendour and grandeur. Times are changing and so are the technical values and technology. When you will watch it you will know.

Ravi Chopra: We have tried to enlighten people with things that were not shown in the earlier version. Production wise, we have used computer graphics moving with the latest technology. The audience has to decide what they find interesting with today’s time. Our Ramayan is highlighting more on today’s problems. An epic will always be an epic. However, knowing our banner, the trust the channel has bestowed on us surely speaks about our achievements and ability to do things differently. To compare both the versions is a foolish thing because you can never make the same thing, as filmmaking is a creative medium and creation by different people will always be different.

Are there any additions or deletions from the earlier version?
Sanjay Khan: Yes, certianly there are few additions and substractions. The reason is that I am making Mahabharat in 52 episodes. I have not diverted myself from the main story. However, characters that are not so important will only be mentioned in the conversations. The fight scenes will be faster and slick. There are new dimensions to various characters. I have personified the sub text and the women’s character, that will not only motivate the audience but will also inspire them to realise the truth. As the serial progresses, one will notice the newness in the serial.

Ravi Chopra: We have tried to cover and highlight issues that have not been touched before. Like, we are going to show people how Ravana acquired his knowledge to be one of the most powerful asuras. Additions and substractions are part and parcel of filmmaking. I would like the audience to wait and watch. That simplifies this issue.

What is the USP of your serial!
Sanjay Khan: I have kept the meat and shed the fracas. It’s fast paced and the spirit of dramatisation is lively. I would like to confess that in today’s time it will be difficult for any mythological to surpass Mahabharat in context and presentation.

Ravi Chopra: BR banner is the USP.

What about the production quality?
Sanjay Khan: After two great historicals - Sword of Tipu Sultan and The Great Maratha, I think the audience and channels know my production quality. I have never compromised with quality because these epics will only hold the audience for its grandeur and spectacular effects.

Ravi Chopra: Nobody has pointed a finger at BR banner for the production quality. We have been in the business for so many years and I am proud that we have never let down a product. Quality products always score and are remembered for a long long time.

What about the starcast?
Sanjay Khan: TV is a star in its own right. I have used all newcomers. Sunil Singh as Bhisma Pitamah is just extraordinary. I have always believed in extracting performances from my starcast and I am glad that they have always delivered what I require.

Ravi Chopra: Nitish Bharadwaj was the first and the last choice to play Ram. After all Ram is also the avatar of Lord Vishnu. Nitish has portrayed all the avatars so far. Another reason is that it makes the job of a director much more easy when you have an actor who’s not only dedicated but equally devoted towards playing the character. He’s so engrossed that he has put all his efforts. I wish other actors could learn the art of dedication and devotion from him. Smriti Malhotra plays Sita and I am very happy with her professional approach. However, I have repeated Gajendra Chauhan as Dasrath and a couple of other actors. But I assure my audience that it will be difficult to recognise these actors in various get ups.

What do you think about the present mythological scenario?
Sanjay Khan: While the channels are calling the shots, today most of the producers are trying to emulate the success of mythologicals by making them in small budgets. Channels do get carried away and try to save money in production. The chicanery is to make fast money. I am sad that some people are making a mockery of Gods. But do they last long? Channels should understand the production and research values of great mythological characters. I want to change the concept of such machinery by making only quality products. We all need help from the channels and I am sure they will realise one day that mythologicals are not easy to make in a shoe-string budget.

Ravi Chopra: Quality always lasts longer and today audience nixes programmes which lack production quality. One surely feels sad about the latest developement in mythologicals but I guess we cannot avoid them. People are here to make fast money and enjoy life. Little do they think that such products will never be remembered. People who make mythologicals should realise the importance of making it. With time, everything changes and so will this phase.

Do you feel mythologicals have saturated today?
Sanjay Khan: In a way, yes! Because many production houses are just trying to make more and more mythologicals. Mythologicals are the best bet in today’s time. The reasons, it’s accepted whole-heartedly by the audience and everyone is happy. But when there are too many mythologicals, it tends to get saturated. There should be few but good mythologicals so that audience will enjoy and remember them for a long long time.

Ravi Chopra: Too much of anything is bad. However, one cannot blame the scenario. In India, we have often seen that once a thing succeeds, other people try to cash in on the same theme and concept. Hum log bhed chaal mein viswas rakte hain. I tell you, it’s sad but quality will always score over quantity. It’s not only the audience but also the channels who are responsible for creating such a fracas.

As a parting shot, how will you describe your epic?
Sanjay Khan: It’s a maha, Mahabharat. There’s a new zing and one can feel it.

Ravi Chopra: BR banner has always believed in the philosophy of Bhagvad Gita -Karam karo aur baki sab Bhagwan par chhod do. It’s God’s wish and we are just His/Her instrument to act. We have done our bit, the rest depends on God.

—Johnny D