Mahakali — Anth Hi Aarambh Hai
Mahakali – Anth Hi Aarambh Hai (English: Mahakali – The end marks the beginning) is an Indian mythological television series that preimered on 22 July 2017 on Colors TV.[1] The show traces the epic story of Goddess Parvati’s metamorphosis into Mahakali.[2] Produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Swastik Productions, it starred Pooja Sharma in the titular role of Goddess Mahakali. [3]
Mahakaali – Anth Hi Aarambh Hai | |
---|---|
Genre | Mythology Drama |
Created by | Siddharth Kumar Tewary |
Based on | Devi Mahatmya Kalika Purana Devi-Bhagavata Purana |
Written by | Vinod Sharma |
Screenplay by | Utkarsh Naithani |
Story by | Siddharth Kumar Tewary Utkarsh Naithani |
Creative director(s) | Nitin Mathura Gupta |
Starring | Pooja Sharma Saurabh Raj Jain Meghan Jadhav Kanan Malhotra Nikita Sharma |
Country of origin | India |
Original language(s) | Hindi |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 95 |
Production | |
Producer(s) | Gayatri Gil Tewary Rahul Kumar Tewary |
Cinematography | Anshumann Mandlay |
Editor(s) | Paresh Shah Madan Mishra |
Camera setup | Multi-camera |
Running time | 45 minutes (approx) |
Production company(s) | Swastik Productions |
Distributor | Viacom 18 |
Release | |
Original network | Colors TV |
Picture format | 576i 1080i (HDTV) |
Original release | 22 July 2017 – 5 August 2018 |
External links | |
Website | |
Production website |
Plot
The show's plot revolves around the much-adored tale of Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva (sister of Lord Vishnu) and her alter-ego, Mahakali.
Adi-Shakti, the supreme Goddess of the Universe (according to the Shakta faith) creates Brahma – the progenitor, Vishnu – the protector and Shiva – the destroyer, and their female counterparts. According to her promise to Shiva, who expressed his love to her, she takes multiple births on earth to woo and wed Him. He is entrusted with the duty of transforming the earthly incarnations of the Goddess into Mahakali but failed 107 times (of which 107th birth was of Sati). So, Adi-Shakti finally incarnates as the princess of the Himalayas and is renowned as Parvati.
With her strong will and intense devotion, Parvati becomes the wife of Shiva. However, their after marriage is threatened when the demon king Shumbha (along with his brother Nishumbha) expresses his desire to marry Parvati and wages war against Shiva. So, in an attempt to protect all those who have taken up refuge in her home at Mount Kailash, Parvati rushes into the war, successfully channeling Goddess Mahakali, her untamed warrior side through her unbound rage. She also gave confidence to other Devi's including Devi Lakshmi & Devi Saraswati & made them as warriors. Mahakali is able to overthrow Shumbha's tyrannical rule and destroy all his associates (including famed demons like Mahishasura, Bhandasura, Tarakasura, Nishumbha, Raktabija and Chanda-Munda) in the process.
In years following her triumph, Shiva and Parvati expand their family to include their sons Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikkeya. Further stories highlight the success of the female endeavor against the patriarchal anarchy which manifests as threats like Banasura, Narakasura, Arunasura, Durgamasura, Andak and the like – all being formidable demons famously killed by the Goddess in various incarnations. The story also highlights the importance of family sticking up for each other, as the Kailash-Parivar face multiple social challenges and deconstruct many primitive thought processes.
Other Shakta deities featured in the show as Parvati's incarnations are the 9 'Nava Durgas' (Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani/Durga, Kalaratri, Mahagauri & Siddhidhatri) and 7 of the 'Dus Maha Vidhyas' (Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Chinnamasta, Bagalamukhi, Dhumavati & Matangi). Some other Goddess who manifest as Parvati's incarnations include Shakhambari, Satakshi, Sitala, Mhalsa, Kanya Kumari, Matsya, Sati and Brahmari. The Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati too often make appearances as Vaishnavi, Narayani and Brahmani. They two often helped Mahakali in her war. The story ends with that Parvathi learns about the entire, that who is she. She finally creates the universe, & Vishnu & Shiva become proud of Mahakali, where again for a war the Tridevi in their warrior form goes on.
Cast
Main
- Pooja Sharma as Goddess Parvati / Mahakali / Durga / Navadurga ( Shailputri,Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Sidhidatri ) / Dus Mahavidya ; except Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi and Kamalatmika ( Kali, Tara, Sodhasi / Tripurasundari, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi and Matangi )]] / Sati (Hindu goddess)|Ambika, Matsya Parvati, Ardhanarishvara,Annapurna,Hinglaj mata, Kamakhya, Mahishasura Mardini,Bhramari, Shatakshi, Shakambhari, Bimala,Kanyakumari and other incarnations of Shakti.
- Saurabh Raj Jain as Lord Shiva / Jalandhara / Mahakaal / MahaRudra / Virabhadra / Unmatt Bhairava /Jagannath/ Umanand Bhairav / Nataraja and other incarnations of Shiva.
- Meghan Jadhav as Kartikeya/Murugan ; god of war ; son of Shiva and Parvati ; brother of Ganesha and Ashoksundari ; husband of Devsena and Valli.
- Krish Chauhan as Lord Ganesha
- Kanan Malhotra as Lord Vishnu / Lord Krishna
Recurring
- Nikita Sharma as Goddess Lakshmi / Vaishnavi
- Abhishek Avasthi as Nandi
- Manish Bishla as Dev-Raj Indra
- Hitanshu Jinsi as Vayudev[4]
- Falaq Naaz as Goddess Saraswati / Brahmani
- Rimpi Das as Goddess Ganga and Goddess Banai
- Himanshu Bamzai as Devantak
- Akash Kumar as Lord Brahma
- Rohit Khurana as Shani ; son of Surya and Chaya ; step son of Sangya ; half brother of Yama,Yami, Ashvinikumar, brother of Tapati ; husband of Dhamini and Neela.
- Vishal Nayak as Agnidev
- Preeti Chaudhary as Kritika
- Nimai Bali as Sage Ushana
- Chahat Pandey as Devasena
- Vinita Joshi as Rati
- Shafaq Naaz as Vrinda
- Chandni Bhagwanani as Behula
- Reshmi Ghosh as Manasa / Mansa Devi
- Rohit Bakshi as Kamadeva / Bhandasura
- Abhaas Mehta as Shumbha
- Danish Akhtar as Nishumbha
- Nirbhay Wadhwa as Mahishasura
- Kunal Bakshi as Andhakasura
- Sneha Namanandi as Daruka
- Dinesh Mehta as Narakasura
Production
Development
We are utilizing high-end VFX and prosthetics to highlight the fantastical element in the story, in keeping with the mythological era. Intense research has led us to the ideal depiction on-screen, and we hope that the viewers like Mahakaali as much as they have supported Karmphal Data Shani.”
Actress Pooja Sharma also shared that it took nearly 3-4 hours for her to get painted in her Kali avatar. The set designs were different from other similar shows as the producer, Siddharth Tiwary, shared that he wanted the concept of the visualisation to be unique.[6]
Reception
Ratings
The show opened up with 6507 impressions and was the third most watched urban television show in its debut week in India.[7]
The Times of India stated, "The show is a perfect blend of drama and mythology. Compared to the other shows, the VFX effects used in Mahakali are excellent and seeps one into the world of fantasy. Right from the backdrop setting to the costume drama, the make-believe looks convincing and draws you into its tale. The show has elaborate costumes and jewellery which make it furthermore engaging to watch."[8]
Adaptation
It was dubbed in Tamil as Kaakum Deivam Kali on Colors Tamil.[9]
References
- "Colors opens weekend 7pm slot with Mahakali". Best Media Info.
- "Colors to launch 'Mahakali' in weekend 19:00 slot". Biz Asia.
- "Pooja Sharma to play the title role in Siddhaarth Kumar Tewary's 'Mahakali' - Times of India". The Times of India.
- "Hitanshu Jinsi: I am a lot like my character, Vaayu Dev in Mahakaali". Mid-day. 3 April 2018.
- "COLORS to soon unveil 'Mahakaali: Anth Hi Aarambh Hai'". exchange4media.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WSocHO7vVU&t=500s
- "Latest BARC India Ratings: Khatron Ke Khiladi and Mahakali open to big numbers, Colors soars to new heights". Indian Express.
- "Mahakali: 5 reasons why the show is winning the hearts of telly viewers". The Times of India.
- "Hit fiction shows to keep the audience entertained during lockdown period". The Times of India.