5. Mohanlal as Duryodhana
The first of the 100 Kauravas, the crown prince of Hastinapur, the best mace warrior, the best friend of Karna, Duryodhana is an immensely important character who believes it is rightful that he should become king and not his elder cousin Yudhisthira. Strategically mentored by his corrupt uncle ‘Shakuni’, he is always on the quest to eliminate his cousins, the Pandavas. Duryodhana being the leading antagonist in the script, demands an actor with a plethora of experience and prowess, we believe the legend Mohanlal with his huge screen presence will take this character to an unimaginable stature and make the audience empathise with Duryodhana the unfortunate prince of Hastinapur who lived fallaciously.
4. Aamir Khan as Yudhisthira
The eldest of the Pandavas, the crown prince of Hastinapur, Yudhisthira the king of Indraprastha and Hastinapur, leader of the Pandavas, is the most righteous, known for his ‘Dharma’ which he inherits from his ancestor. This leader possesses attributes we rarely encounter in the whole of ‘the Mahabharata’, a soft-spoken, principled, virtuous man who always stood by his word and displayed tenets of honesty even during the toughest of times. It’s a hat-trick for the Khan’s of the Bollywood with Aamir as Yudhisthira, Mr.Perfectionist with his subtle nuances and ability to get into the skin of every character would be the best choice for the honest, powerful and yet vulnerable king who lives on in the minds of all who believe and practise ‘Dharma’.
3. Rajinikanth as Karna
The most tragic hero in all of Indian literature, the most unfortunate in ‘the Mahabharata’, Karna is quoted to be the foremost warrior in the world and the only one who could defeat Arjuna. A series of misfortunes since his birth, an illegitimate child born of ‘Surya’ and Kunti, the eldest of the Pandavas, grew up with a charioteer thus being denied of learning military skills by Drona, to being insulted by Draupadi at the Swayamvar, to promising his mother ‘Kunti’ that he will not kill his brothers(enemies at battle), to dying at the hands of Arjuna in an unguarded manner, Karna truly, lived most grievously. Rajinikanth’s finest performance yet, Surya from ‘Thalapathi’ in an adapted version of a similar role, gives us no doubt that the Superstar will make audiences weep and accentuate the bondage of friendship.
2. Mammootty as Bhishma
The grand-old uncle of the Pandavas and the Kauravas is the most respected and honoured character with the might of the eternal river Ganga who is believed to be his mother. His qualities are resemblant with the magnanimity of his mother, the lifeline of the kingdom, the ultimate warrior, sacrificial in every sense including celibacy, Bhishma the Omnibenevolent is Mahabharata’s most esteemed character who will live on as society’s paradigm of selflessness, honour and sacrifice. 3 time National awardee Mammootty’s tranquil nature of performance with his persona is magical how he transforms methodically into every character suit he plays. This ‘Pazhassi Raja’ legend has all it takes to catapult ‘Bhishma’s’ imagery in our minds.
1. Kamal Haasan as Krishna
The Omniscient, the Philosophical genius, the most artistic deity in India, Krishna is the central protagonist of ‘The Mahabharata’. With his intellectual guile, wisdom and understanding of the universe, he delivers ‘the Bhagavad Gita’ as counsel to his friend Arjuna while he is in a state of emotional distress about life, death and morals. Taking the form of a humble charioteer during the course of the battle of Kurukshetra, he navigates and ensues victory for the Pandavas and restores good over evil as the story culminates with his aura of sagacity. With the most decorated cast ever in an Indian film, the above list is only complete with the genius and polymath, Kamal Haasan, who has represented Krishna in various forms in his films previously and we believe that his pursuit of excellence will be the jewel on this grand piece of literary crown which has survived ages and grows like wine on the psyche of we humans.
