Touted as this year’s most anticipated cinematic spectacle, filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ is set to entertain audiences with a unique tale of mythology and science fiction. After megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of Ashwatthama in the epic was revealed, audiences have been intrigued to learn more about the mysterious Mahabharata character. 

The son of Dronacharya and Kripi, Ashwatthama is said to be the fifth avatar of Lord Shiva. According to the Mahabharata, Ashwatthama’s name means “the sacred voice, similar to that of a horse.” He is named so because he cried like a horse at birth. Ashwatthama rose as one of the Mahabharata’s greatest warriors, fighting alongside the Kauravas against the Pandavas during the Kurukshetra War.