Then and now: How Mahabharat has got more slick and grand

Its been 25 years since BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat'. Most of the characters are still well etched in our minds. Will the latest serial be able to match up to viewer's expectations.
In the earlier version, Mukesh Khanna had played Bhishma's role. In the latest serial, actor Arav Chowdhary plays the character. Arav has earlier appeared in Ekta Kapoor's serials and is a former model.

Arjun became the popular television actor with his stint as Arjuna in Mahabharata. Such was his popularity that he went onto do more films in Bollywood. In the new series, actor Shaheer Sheikh plays the role. He was earlier seen playing the lead in 'Navya'.

Draupadi's role was played by Rupa Ganguly in the old series. Rupa, later on became a popular face in Bengali cinema. In the new series, debutant Rajul Hegde is playing the role.

Puneet Issar is best remembered for his role as Duryodhana. In the latest series, Model-turned-actor Arpit Ranka plays the role. Incidentally, the new series has Issar playing Parshuram's role.

Pankaj Dheer's career also catapulted to success with his stint as Karna in Mahabharata. Let's hope it does the same for actor Aham Sharma who essays the role in the latest series.

An entire generation grew up watching Nitish Bhardwaj playing Krishna in 'Mahabharat'. It will be interesting to see actor Saurabh Jain playing the role in the new series.

Actress Deboshree Roy made her debut as Satywati in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat'. The actress later went on to become a popular actress of Bengali cinema and even won a National Award. In the new series, the role is essayed by Sayantani Ghosh.

Gufi Paintal made Shakuni an memorable character in the original series. In the new one actor Praneet Bhatt plays the role.

Rishabh Shukla played Shantanu in the old series. The new one has Sameer Dharmadhikari playing the same character. The new show has grander set, more detailing as far as costumes are concerned and many of the scenes have been shot in real locations.

Known to be the king of dharma, Yudhisthira was the eldest son of Pandu and Kunti. And, Gajendra Chouhan did complete justice to the character with his understated acting. The new one has actor Rohit Bhardwaj playing the role.