mahabharata poster

Dara Singh poster for sale of the old Indian mythological movie, Veer Bhimsen (1985).

This is an actual surviving original Dara Singh movie poster of the 1985 Hindi film that was based on the story of the Mahabharata (one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India), highlighting the might of Bhima.

Directed by Sushil Vyas, Veer Bhimsen starred wrestler Dara Singh in the lead role as Bhima and Anjana Mumtaz as Draupadi.

Printed and circulated during the first release of the film (somewhere in the mid 1980s), this old Indian cinema poster was printed for publicity of the film but never ended up being used.

This old Indian mythological movie poster features an interesting combination technique in the design of its artwork. Still photographs have been over painted with striking colors, giving this old Mahabharata poster a vivid appearance.

This old Indian cinema poster features the legendary “Gada Yudh” or “Mace War” between Bhima and Duryodhana. Dara Singh is seen prominently in the poster carrying a Gada (mace) and sparring with Duryodhana, while an epic battle ensues in the background. The top of the poster features a line in Devanagari Hindi that translates as, “Made by the effort of millions, An epic religious film.”

As per the Mahabharata, Bhima is the second born among five brothers (Pandavas). During the great Kurukshetra war, Bhima single handedly killed hundred Kaurava brothers and was believed to possess the physical strength of 10,000 elephants.

The word Bhima in Sanskrit means “big” or “tall” and Dara Singh was aptly chosen to essay his role in the film. With over 500 professional fights to his credit – all undefeated – Dara Singh was awarded the titles “Rustum-e-Punjab” and “Rustum-e-Hind.” In an acting career that spanned over five decades, Dara Singh featured in over 140 films.