Jul 11, 2008

Entertainment - Kahaani Ekta Ke Mahabharat Ki




Six-pack abs, waxed chests, off-shoulder blouses and a scantily-clad Draupadi decked in a chiffon sari... that’s what Ekta Kapoor’s version of Mahabharata is all about. And since sex sells, her version of the epic started off with Draupadi’s vastraharan. The departure from the tried and tested has generated a whole lot of interest and even more feedback. Much of it negative. Online reviews have panned the strong saas-bahu flavour of the epic, the inappropriate costumes by Manish Malhotra, and the language used. Anita Hasanandani as Draupadi has received the most brickbats.

As for the pros, there are just a couple: Aryan Vaid (Duryodhana) is looking hot and Daler Mehndi’s title track is good. The Buzz18 review says: “Draupadi is introduced in signature Ekta style. Her free flowing red sari reminds us of Prerna’s red dupatta in Kasautii Zindagi Kay. Anita Hasanandani as Draupadi is good with her histrionics but fails to strike the right chord.... The incessant screeching, the glycerine eyes are tad too much to handle.” Indicine.com comments: “It looked like a normal Ekta Kapoor saas-bahu serial. It wasn’t realistic, at least Ekta Kapoor should have had a look at Jodhaa Akbar, a costume drama which was presented in a very realistic way. Anita Hasanandani as Draupadi shrieked at the top of her voice, cried like she does in all those saas-bahu series and in comparison to Rupa Ganguly, failed miserably.” Viewers have given their verdict — and it’s a hung jury. Bhojpuri hero and TV star Ravi Kissen says, “I found it interesting and different. It’s something new that will attract the youth. And starting the serial with Draupadi’s vastraharan shows that sex sells.”
Saakshi, 23, has no compliments to pay. “It’s more like soft porn!” she exclaims. “They are flaunting their bodies with tattoos and low-waist dhotis. The dialogues need to be censored. One went something like ‘Tum mere pati ke saamnay nanga kar rahay ho!’”
MNC executive Rohit Chawla, 26, thinks the show won’t last more than a week. “There’s not even one per cent of the Mahabharata we’ve seen in our childhood.” IP University student Deeksha Somani, 18, says, “Anita as Draupadi is intolerable. Everyone is overacting.” Vidisha Sharma, 20, is positive: “If you don’t go by the story, then the men are looking hot, especially Aryan Vaid with his jewellery and kohled eyes.” If you don’t go by the story. That says it all.

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