Bhishma is a 1962 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film, based on the life of Bhishma from the epic Mahabharata, produced and directed by B. A. Subba Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.
Theatrical release poster
Bhishma, also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, is a major character of the epic Mahabharata and the protagonist of the Bhishma Parva episode. He was the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the Kurukshetra War of the epic. He was the only character who witnessed the entirety of the events of the Mahabharata, beginning from the reign of his father, King Shantanu of the Kuru kingdom. Bhishma was the stepbrother of Vyasa, the grandfather of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He was a prominent statesman of the Kuru Kingdom. He was born as the youngest son of the illustrious King Shantanu and goddess Ganga.
Statue of Bhishma
Shantanu stops Ganga from drowning their eighth child, who later was known as Bhishma. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma.
Ganga handing over her son Devavrata to his father. Painting by BP Banerjee.
Devavrata taking his oath, painting by Raja Ravi Varma