''Shakuntala'' is an Indian television series that premiered on 2 February 2009 and aired until 6 July 2009. The show was based on characters in

Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...

where Shakuntala (

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

: शकुन्तला, Śakuntalā) is the wife of

Dushyanta Dushyanta (, ) is a king of the Chandravamsha (Lunar) dynasty featured in Hindu literature. He is the husband of Shakuntala and the father of Bharata. He appears in the Mahabharata and in Kalidasa's play, Abhijnanashakuntalam (). Legend Acc ...

and the mother of

Emperor Bharata Bharata () is a legendary emperor featured in Hindu literature. He is a member of the Chandravamsha dynasty, and becomes the Chakravarti (Chakra possessing emperor). He is regarded to be the ancestor of the Pandavas, the Kauravas, Brihadrat ...

. Her story is told in the ''

Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...

'' and dramatized by

Kalidasa Kālidāsa (, "Servant of Kali"; 4th–5th century CE) was a Classical Sanskrit author who is often considered ancient India's greatest poet and playwright. His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu Puranas and philosophy. His surviv ...

in his play ''

Abhijñānaśākuntala ''Abhijnanashakuntalam'' (Devanagari: अभिज्ञानशाकुन्तलम्, IAST: ''Abhijñānaśākuntalam''), also known as ''Shakuntala'', ''The Recognition of Shakuntala'', ''The Sign of Shakuntala'', and many other variant ...

'' ''(The Sign of Shakuntala)''.

Plot

The story is a fairy tale about a baby who was found by the Sage Kanva and given refuge in his ashram. He raises her like his own daughter. Shakuntala meets King

who is completely smitten. He approaches her, wins her heart, and gives her his Royal seal, his Ring. Circumstances separate Shakuntala from King Dushyant, and she pines for her love to return.

Cast

* Neha Mehta as

Shakuntala Shakuntala () is a heroine in ancient Indian literature, best known for her portrayal in the ancient Sanskrit play '' Abhijnanashakuntalam'' (The Recognition of Shakuntala), written by the classical poet Kalidasa in the 4th or 5th century AD ...

Gautam Sharma Gautam Sharma is an Indian television and film actor. Sharma was raised in Bangalore. His father is a businessman. He completed his high school education from Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore and graduated from St Joseph's College of ...

as Rajkumar Dushyant * Javed Khan as Maharaja Puru * Aaina Mehta as Young Shakuntala * Abhileen as Young Dushyant *Shreya Laheri as Young Karuna * Sunny Nijar as Karan *

Gagan Malik Gagan Malik is an Indian people, Indian actor and Buddhism activist. He won the Best Actor Award in the World Buddhist Film Festival organised by the United Nations for his role as The Buddha, Prince Siddhartha in the Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Si ...

as Senapati Veer *

Madhura Naik Madhura Hemant Naik (born 19 July 1984) is an Indian model and actress who has appeared in television shows such as ''Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil'', '' Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahani'', ''Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon'', '' Hum Ne Li Hai- Shapath'' and ...

Payel Sarkar Payel Sarkar is an Indian actress who has appeared in Bengali films and Hindi television. On 25 February 2021, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Political career Sarkar joined Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021 and contested in 2021 West ...

as Rajkumari Gauri * Shabana Mulani as Rajkumari Kalki * Vicky Batra as Rajkumar Mritunjaya *Rohit Singh Rana as Rajkumar Arnav * Salina Prakash as Rundi * Nandani as Ragini (Gauri's Friend) * Simran Khanna as Priyamvada * Sonali K. as Anusuya *

Deepali Pansare Deepali Pansare is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television and Hindi films. Pansare is known for portraying Suhaagi in ''Neer Bhare Tere Naina Devi'', Payal Singh Raizada in '' Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?'', Devyani Kelkar in ...

As Gauri's Friend *

Digangana Suryavanshi Digangana Suryavanshi (born 15 October 1997) is an Indian actress, singer and author who is known for her appearances in Hindi and Telugu films. Suryavanshi debuted her career in Hindi television and went on to appear in films. Her breakthrough ...

as Young Rajkumari Gauri *

Vaishali Thakkar Vaishali ThakkarGandhari Gandhari (, ) is a prominent female character in the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. She is the daughter of King List of characters in the Mahabharata#Subala, Subala, the ruler of Gandhara kingdom, Gandhara, and becomes the wife of Dhritar ...

*Jalina Thakur as Jeti maa Bai *

as Rajkumri Gauri * Aaina Mehta as Young Shakuntala *

as Young Gauri * Javed Khan King is an Indian History and producer who appears in History.

References

{{Shakuntala Star One (Indian TV channel) original programming Indian television soap operas 2009 Indian television series debuts 2009 Indian television series endings Works based on Shakuntala (play)