Long before advanced CGI, green screens, and digital visual effects became common in television production, the makers of Mahabharat achieved something extraordinary. When the iconic series aired on Doordarshan in 1988, it captivated millions of viewers and set new standards for Indian television.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the show remains how its creators managed to film massive battle sequences and divine scenes using the limited technology available at the time.

Finding the Perfect Kurukshetra

While much of the series was shot in Mumbai's Film City, recreating the legendary battlefield of Kurukshetra required a completely different approach.

The production team searched extensively for a vast open landscape that could convincingly represent the era of the Mahabharata. Modern structures such as electricity poles, roads, and buildings had to be avoided to maintain historical authenticity.

After a lengthy search, the makers reportedly selected a large open area near Jaipur, where many of the famous war scenes were filmed.

How the Battle Scenes Were Shot

Today, large-scale battle sequences are often created using computer-generated armies and visual effects. In the late 1980s, those tools were not available.

Instead, the Mahabharat team relied on:

• Hundreds and sometimes thousands of extras

• Real costumes, weapons, and props

• Large outdoor sets

• Careful camera placement and editing techniques

For certain special shots requiring visual enhancements, the production used blue-screen technology, an early version of chroma key compositing that was considered highly advanced for Indian television at the time.

The Challenge of Krishna's Vishwaroop

Among the most difficult scenes to create was Lord Krishna's Vishwaroop (Universal Form), portrayed by Nitish Bharadwaj.

The sequence required Krishna to appear in multiple forms simultaneously—something that modern productions would typically achieve through CGI.

Instead, the team used a technique known as stop-block photography.

How Stop-Block Photography Worked

In this method:

• The camera remained completely fixed.

• Different poses and visual elements were photographed separately.

• Each image was captured in the exact same frame.

• The shots were later combined manually during editing.

Because all the images needed to align perfectly, even the smallest camera movement could ruin the entire sequence.

Why Wooden Supports Were Used

Nitish Bharadwaj later revealed that filming the Vishwaroop scene required immense patience and precision.

To maintain identical body positioning throughout the lengthy shoot:

• He stood in the same pose for several hours.

• Wooden supports were placed beneath his arms between takes.

• He focused on a fixed point in front of him to keep his gaze unchanged.

• Every movement had to be carefully controlled to ensure continuity.

This meticulous process allowed the editors to merge multiple exposures into a single convincing visual effect.

A Masterpiece Created Through Ingenuity

What makes BR Chopra's Mahabharat remarkable is not just its storytelling but also the creativity behind its production. Without modern CGI, motion capture, or digital compositing software, the team relied on practical filmmaking techniques, patience, and innovation.

Nearly four decades later, the series remains a landmark achievement in Indian television, proving that imagination and craftsmanship can often overcome technological limitations.