The presentation is epic in intent, yes. Alas, the execution, packaging and projection leave the epic undernourished and over-emphasized.
The magic of animation cinema is to transport the audience into the world of make-believe, but in a way that we forget the characters are not real people. In other words, for animation to be effective, the narration must transcend the technique of animation.
"Mahabharat", as told by director Amaan Khan, never goes beyond self-congratulation. The animation characters are so busy posturing they are never humanized. All we see are graphics, not the spectacular characters from the Mahabharat whom we've grown up with. We hear them. But they never attain credible shapes on screen.
To their credit the superstars have lent their voices with great dignity and restraint. And I'd have been happy just hearing Mr Bachchan as Bheeshma Pitamah, Sunny Deol as Bheem, Vidya Balan as Draupadi...and what have you.
