# Brahmarshi Viswamitra

Brahmarshi Viswamitra is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed and produced by N. T. Rama Rao. Based on the life of the sage Viswamitra, the film marks Rama Rao's return to acting after a seven-year hiatus following his focus on politics. It stars Rama Rao alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Meenakshi Seshadri, with music composed by Ravindra Jain. The film also marks the debut of Jr. NTR as a child artist. Despite its notable cast, Brahmarshi Viswamitra was a disaster at the box office.

## Plot

The film begins when Emperor Kaushika is hunting and visits Vasishta's Ashram, where he notices a divine cow Kamadhenu which can afford all wishes. Kaushika pleads for prosperity from Vasishta. However, Kaushika tries to grab it when Vasishta denies it, and Kamadhenu disappears. Here, Kaushika's wisdom penance is more significant than strength. So, he renounces his kingdom, performs a vast, and achieves the Brahmarshi title, nobilitating as Vishvamitra. Trishanku belongs to Suryavansha and aspires to reach heaven with his mortal body when his mentor Vasishta curses him to form a horrific. Forthwith, he approaches Viswamitra, who accomplishes his desire, but Indra tosses him. Enraged, Viswamitra stops him in between and creates a new heaven by endorsing his penance, which he regenerates with his willpower.
Once, in the Indra court, Viswamitra confronted Vasishta, who said that a man with aim & determination is more powerful than the deities. Viswamitra opts Harishchandra, ruler of Ayodhya. Firstly, he wishes for a huge amount, which he bestows without hesitation. Then, he creates two beauties, Matanga Kanyalu, to lure him, threatening to knit them or quit the kingdom. Harichandra relinquishes his kingdom when Viswamitra seeks his dues within a month and accompanies his sidekick, Nakshatraka. Ergo, Harishchandra proceeds to Kaasi, where he spots an auction of people as enslaved. Due to lack of time, on the advice of his wife Chandramathi, he auctions her with his son Lohitha when Siva, in the form of Kaala Kaushika, shops them. Next, he peddles himself to the graveyard's King Veerabahu for travel expenses, Nakshatraka, and works as a guard at the burial ground. Tragically, Lohitha dies due to a snakebite while Chandramathi is performing his funeral; Harishchandra bars her for the fee, unbeknownst to actuality. Whereat, he indicates her wedding chain when she discerns him as her husband as it is invisible to others. Harishchandra does not yield even in such pathetic situations, so Chandramathi rushes for the amount. Then, Viswamitra illuminates that Chandramathi has abducted and slain Kaasiraju's son. The King dictates capital punishment to her and entrusts Harishchandra to execute it. Still, he stands on his true path. Suddenly, Viswamitra appears, proclaims the entirety of spreading his eminence to the universe, and acknowledges him with his penance power.
Eras roll by, Viswamitra intends to perform a Yaga impeded by two demons, MarichaSubahulu. So, he moves to Ayodhya and requests Dasaratha to send RamaLakshmana for its shield. At that point, he endorses the powerful weapons to them by which they destroy Tataka & Marichasubhahulu and complete the ritual. Following, Janaka announces Swayamvar to Sita, and Viswamitra heads to Mithila with the siblings. Rama triumphs over the task of ace the world-renowned bow of Siva with the blessing of Viswamitra over Ravana, who is fetched up without an invitation. Subsequently, Viswamitra blesses the newly married and moves to his penance.
After thousands of years, Indra attempts to foil it and sends Menaka when the two are glad for a baby girl. Anyhow, they expel her, and Kanva raises her as Shakuntala because birds covered her. Once Dushyanta empire of Hastinapur spots Shakuntala, he crushes & splices her as per the Gandharva, and before returning, he gifts his royal ring to her as a token of love. One day, Durvasa visits Ashram, but Shakuntala loses her thoughts and fails to greet him when he curses that the one she dreams of will forget her. Afterward, he calms and states that he will regain his memory by viewing his token. Time passes, Shakuntala conceives, and Kanva sends her to Dushyanta. On the midway, while crossing a river, the ring slips off her finger and is swallowed by a fish. After landing therein, Dushyanta fails to recognize her. Humiliated, Shakuntala exits, and Kashyapa shelters her, where she delivers Bharata. The anglers detect the ring in the belly of a fish and hand it to Dushyanta, who retrieves the past. He rushes for Shakuntala when he is startled to look at a boy playing with wild animals. Viswamitra gets here, reunites the couple, and blesses Bharata as India's greatest ruler. At last, Viswamitra's penance summits to the Himalayan, where he employs it for the universal welfare by preaching great Gayatri Mantra. Finally, the movie ends happily with Viswamitra getting salvation as one of the stars at Saptarishi Mandalam.

## Cast

* N. T. Rama Rao as Visvaamitra & Ravana (dual role)
* Nandamuri Balakrishna as Satya Harischandra & Dushyanta (dual role)
* Meenakshi Seshadri as Menaka
* Deepika Chikhalia as Chandramathi
* Madhumita as Shakuntala
* Amjhad Khan as Veerabahu
* Gummadi as Vashista
* Suthi Velu as Nakshatraka
* Ashok Kumar as Indhra
* KK Sarma as Kalakoushukudu
* Jaya Bhaskar as Trisanku
* Aruna Irani as Kalakoushukudu's wife
* Kanaka as Seetha
* Tara as Shakuntala's friend
* Gayatri as Shakuntala's friend
* Disco Shanti as Matanga Kanya
* Kuyili as Matanga Kanya
* Master Amith as Lohitha
* N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Bharata (child role)
* Mikkilineni as Janaka

## Production

Brahmarshi Viswamitra marks the first screen appearance of N. T. Rama Rao Jr., who played Bharata. Initially, actress Sridevi was approached for the role Menaka but she denied as her shooting schedule is packed.

## Soundtrack

Music composed by Ravindra Jain. Lyrics written by C. Narayana Reddy. Music released on Lahari Music Company.