Film: Simha
Cast: Balakrishna, Nayanatara, Namita, Sneha Ullal, Brahmanandam, Jhansi, Venu Madhav, Ali, Dharmavarapu, and others
Music: Chakri
Cinematography: Wilson
Editing: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Art: A S Prakash
Produced by: Paruchuri Kiriti
Story, screenplay, dialogues and directed by: Boyapati Srinu
Release date: April 30, 2010
CBFC Rating: U/A


What’s it about!
Sreemannarayana (Balakrishna) is a lecturer in a college in Hyderabad but he doesn’t tolerate any injustice and bashes up the wronged guys. A voluptuous female colleague (Namita) loves him, and so does Janaki (Sneha Ullal) who Sreemannarayana saves from goons. When a rowdy (Aditya Menon) from Vizag comes to take away Janaki from Sreemannarayana, a flashback is revealed. 30 years ago, in Bobbili, a family of landlords treats the local people as slaves and kills if anyone revolts against them. Enters a foreign-returned doctor Narasimha (Balakrishna) belonging to the Bobbili royal dynasty to save the people. Within no time, he takes law into his hands and becomes savior, but he and his wife (Nayanatara) are killed in a fight in the end. It is now Sreemannarayana’s job to finish the mission.

Analysis
It has been six long years since Balakrishna delivered a hit. His last blockbuster was Lakshmi Narasimha (2004). All the movies that came during this period disappointed his fans and general audiences alike. But his fans can rejoice now. Balakrishna’s latest flick Simha is packed with right commercial ingredients to satisfy them. Although the film has nothing new to tell, second half is packaged well. Soul and highpoint of the film is scenes involving the second Balakrishna’s character - that of a doctor. Though violence is excessive, action episodes and editing is fine. And also Balakrishna looking ferocious again in key scenes has elevated the movie. High-voltage action-dialogues is his forte and he does it with finesse this time.

First half is mediocre; second half saves the movie. For die-hard fans of Balakrishna, Simha entertains to the core. For other audiences, it seems an average fare. On the whole, it is a better film for Balakrishna in the long time.

Performances
Balakrishna looks good in the role of doctor. Unlike his regular movies, he is restrained and yet very ferocious when required. He has also tried to come up with some steps in songs. Nayanatara as a jamindari wife looks royal and beautiful. Her role is minuscule but makes impact. While Namita looks unappealing in her oversized figure, Sneha Ullal appears like a kid in front of Balakrishna. K R Vijaya as grandmother is okay. Aditya Menon and Malayalam Sukumar as antagonists are perfect. Kota Srinivas Rao once again shows how good an actor he is. Comedians like Venumadhav, Brahmanandam, Dharmavarapu, and Krishna Bhagawan try hard to make us laugh but fail miserably.

Camera work (Wilson and Prasad) is first rate. Music by Chakri is also good. Editing is nice. Director Boyapati has tried to play safe with the same time-tested mass elements that are seen in films like Narasimha Naidu, Samara Simha Reddy and Magadheera.

Bottom-line!
After a long time, Balakrishna’s movie comes with right commercial ingredients. Second half is asset to Balakrishna’s Simha. On the whole the film is a pucca commercial entertainer.

Rating: 3/5