Bheeshma

Bheeshma is a 2020 Telugu-language romantic action comedy directed by Venky Kudumula and produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments. It stars Nithiin and Rashmika Mandanna, with Anant Nag, Jisshu Sengupta, Vennela Kishore and Sampath Raj. Released on 21 February 2020 to positive reviews, it was a commercial success.

Story

Bheeshma, the head of Bheeshma Organics, is trying to move farmers away from chemicals towards organic farming, and promises to name his company’s next CEO on its 50th anniversary. Meanwhile a younger Bheeshma Prasad, a carefree meme-maker who calls himself “Bheeshma I.A.S.” (I Am Single), is desperately looking for love. His pursuit of Chaitra, who works at the organics company, pulls him into a corporate battle over the future of farming, and the two Bheeshmas’ stories turn out to be closely linked.

Cast

• Nithiin and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles
• Anant Nag, the Kannada actor, in a pivotal role
• Jisshu Sengupta as the antagonist
• Vennela Kishore and Sampath Raj in supporting roles

Production

Rashmika Mandanna announced the film on social media on 30 March 2019, Nithiin’s birthday. Filming began with a puja in mid-May 2019 and lasted until late December 2019, and the song “Hey Choosa” was shot in Positano, Italy. Mahati Swara Sagar composed the music, Sai Sriram was the cinematographer and Naveen Nooli the editor.

Release

First aimed at 25 December 2019, the film was released on 21 February 2020. It began streaming on Netflix and Sun NXT on 9 April 2020, with Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam dubs, and a Hindi version premiered on television in February 2022.

Reception

Critics praised the performances, comedy, songs and dance numbers. The Hindu called it a partly farcical comedy that is sometimes deliberately frustrating and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, and The Times of India recommended it to fans of the director’s earlier Chalo. According to the source it grossed $684,000 overseas in its first weekend.

Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata.