By RADHIKA RAJAMANI
Radhakrishn serial on Star Bharat also on Disney Hotstar began the Krishn-Arjuna gaatha some weeks back. For many viewers these episodes may give a sense of dejavu to the viewers who have seen the Mahabharat made by the same creator Siddharth Kumar Tewary of Swastik productions. Parts of the music too remind one of Mahabharat. However, Tewary has ensured a new cast for these episodes though the actors may have acted in other productions of Swastik as well as new interpretation.
While the story largely follows the Mahabharat there are certain areas with slightly different interpretations and new angles. For instance, the scenes in the laakshagriha (lac palace), the Bhima-Ghatotkacha confrontation, Subhadra eloping with Arjuna, Krishn’s vishwaroop darshan in the Hastinapur Court where Duryodhana humiliates Krishn when he comes as an emissary of the Pandavas to stop the forthcoming war are some scenes infused with newness. Radha is more or less a constant companion of Krishn. She is present in many of the scenes along with Krishn also giving her opinions and asking Krishna to take steps be it in the cheer haran of Draupadi (disrobing of Drauapdi) or scenes leading up to the war. An important aspect which continues is the nuggets of information on values and ethics, rendered by Krishn which are made relevant to today’s times, context and people. This lends a contemporary touch to an ancient story.
Great care is taken to present every scene in an impressive way be it in Hastinapur or Dwaraka. Special effects elevate the worlds created to an enormous and magnificent level. This highlights the boon of technology in story telling which takes it to majestic levels in today’s times.
Krishn played by Sumedh Mudgalkar. This young boy has stolen the hearts of the audience by ensuring nothing short of top notch acting, expressions, voice modulation, diction (more so as he renders the shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita) and exudes a certain magnetic charm
What also engages and engrosses the viewer in this Krishna-Arjuna gaatha is the stellar performance of Krishn played by Sumedh Mudgalkar. This young boy has stolen the hearts of the audience by ensuring nothing short of top notch acting, expressions, voice modulation, diction (more so as he renders the shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita) and exudes a certain magnetic charm. Mallika Singh as Radha is sweet and attractive and both Mallika and Sumedh make an enchanting pair in these ‘divine’ roles.. Kinshuk Vaidya plays a restrained Arjuna and it’s interesting and motivating to see the relationship of Krishn and Arjuna. Most of the other actors who play different roles like Duryodhana (Krip Suri) , Shakuni (Sai Ballal), Yudhistir (Kanan Malhotra), Bheema (Zuber Ali) and Ishita Ganguly (Draupadi) do justice to their roles.
As the Bhagavad Gita unfolds and the war begins at Kurukshetra it would be interesting to watch how these episodes unfurl and their treatment.
