Mahabharat actors pay tribute

It was a landmark serial. Almost two decades ago when Mahabharat launched on DD it created history. Streets on a Sunday morning wore a deserted look as telly watchers sat glued to their TV sets. Mukesh Khanna (Bhishma Pitamah), Nitish Bharadwaj (Krishna), Pankaj Dheer (Karn), Rupa Ganguly(Draupadi), Kiran Joneja (Ganga), Gufi Paintal (Shakuni), Puneet Issar (Duryodhana) became household names. The success of the show catapulted them into the big league and as a result received a lot of offers. With the passing away of the show’s creator, B.R.Chopra we spoke to some of the actors on their memories of him. Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna who played Bhishma Pitamah said, “ Chopra Saab in a way was a turning point in my life. Prior to Mahabharat I had done sixteen films but most of them had flopped. I was labelled as a flop actor in the 1980s. Mahabharat gave me what films couldn’t give me. I owe my success to him. He and Ravi Chopra were like family to me. I used to visit his office whenever I would pass by that area to have a tea with him and he would offer me much more than tea. He was a nice human being and a great story teller. He is one of those people who believe that making a film or a serial is story telling. Just recently I had met him. He was ill and he had a nurse with him to look after him. B.R. Saab would always tell me to sport a beard. He was of the opinion that I don’t look good without a beard.” Rupa Ganguly who played the role of Draupadi was unaware of the news and said, “Is he no more? I did not know this as I have just returned from Kolkatta. I have loads of fond memories with him. He always treated me like his daughter. Once I was unwell and I had to come for the shoot of Mahabharat as my scenes had to be shot. It was a very concerned Pappaji (BR Chopra) who asked me to rest as I was unwell. I even stayed at his place once and I was touched by a rule that he had laid down for his family. He had a strict rule that every one from his family should be present at the dinner table for every meal. He told me that having meals together makes the bond of a family stronger.” Paintal who played the role of Shikhandi said, “One of the icons of our industry has gone. His contribution to the industry is immense. Personally, I had a great time working with him in Mahabharat . He was a guiding force to all of us. He knew exactly what he wanted from his actors. It’s a great loss for our industry. I’m currently out of town thus its unfortunate that I may not be able to attend his funeral today. May his soul rest in peace.” Gajendra Chauhan who played Yudhishtir says, “I have spent twenty five years with him in the industry. I am the only one who has been associated with B.R. Chopra and his production house for such a long span of time. I have been in almost 90% of the shows that were made by B.R. Chopra. I lost my father in 1994 and today I have lost my Godfather. He always used to tell me that I am like his son. The film and television industry is going through a crisis and people like him are needed in this phase. His death is not just a big loss to the industry but also to me. He was a true legend. He has seen success after success. I was always in touch with him. I used to visit him every week. I even met him last week. He was telling me that he wants to make one more film. He was talking about his plan of making a new film and I was recording that conversation. I can’t tell you what I have lost.” Pankaj Dheer who played Karn says, “He was one man who had the finest sense of screenplay and story telling. I remember very clearly that he was the one who decided that I should play the role of Karn. Many others felt that I should play the role of Arjun but it was he who was adamant that I should essay the role of Karn. His visualisation is just amazing. He is an ardent student of cinema. He is a man who could select a story well. He could easily distinguish between a good story and a bad story. He loved me immensely. He used to treat my wife like his own daughter.”