Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Surendra Pal Initially Refused Dronacharya Role in BR Chopra's Mahabharat
A famous Indian actor named Surendra Pal told a story about a TV show called Mahabharat.
Someone called him and asked him to come to an office.
The people making the show wanted him to play a character named Dronacharya.
But Surendra Pal said no at first.
He wanted to play a young, handsome character like Arjun or Karna instead.
He worried that playing an old man would ruin his career.
A writer named Dr Rahi Masoom Raza explained that Dronacharya was a strong army general, not just an old man.
He said Dronacharya was so powerful he could have ended the whole war before sunrise and sunset.
Surendra Pal felt so emotional that he started crying.
In the end, he agreed to play Dronacharya, and the role became very famous and memorable for him.
Surendra Pal revealed he initially refused the Dronacharya role in BR Chopra's Mahabharat because the character was old.
He had hoped to play a younger, dynamic role such as Arjun or Karna, believing he was 'very good-looking'.
Gufi Paintal ('Goofy sir') called Pal to his office and said the Dronacharya role was the one left after all other casting was done.
When BR Chopra saw Pal play Dronacharya, he said 'this looks like Dronacharya' and decided to cast him in the role.
Writer Dr Rahi Masoom Raza persuaded him by saying Dronacharya was a powerful army general who could have ended the war before sunrise and sunset, leaving Pal in tears.
Pal is also known for roles including Amatya Rakshas in Chanakya, Tamraj Kilvish in Shaktiman and Daksha in Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev.
- Who
- Actor Surendra Pal, with director BR Chopra, Gufi Paintal and writer Dr Rahi Masoom Raza.
- What
- Surendra Pal revealed he initially refused the Dronacharya role in BR Chopra's Mahabharat due to the character's age, before being persuaded to accept it.
- When
- The timing of the interview is not specified in the article.
- Where
- Mumbai, India.
- Why
- He feared playing an old character would end his career, but accepted after writer Dr Rahi Masoom Raza explained that Dronacharya was a powerful army general, not merely an old man.
- Actor
- Surendra Pal
- Role
- Dronacharya
- TV Series
- BR Chopra's Mahabharat
- Initially Hoped For
- Arjun or Karna
- Reason for Refusal
- Character's old age; fear of career ending
- Persuaded By
- Writer Dr Rahi Masoom Raza
- Other Notable Roles
- Amatya Rakshas (Chanakya), Tamraj Kilvish (Shaktiman), Daksha (Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev)
- Location
- Mumbai