The last three movies of Nandamuri Balakrishna fell short of his fans’ expectations. But his new film Simha, teaming with two time successful director Boyapati Srinu, Balakrishna raises the expectations. Added to the hype there is the presence of Nayanatara, Sneha Ullal and Namitha. Does Boyapati Srinu keep Balakrishna’s fans satisfied, lets see.

What is it about : Srimannarayana (Balakrishna) is a well respected and cool professor in college. Janaki (Sneha Ullal), a student enters the college, but as she is chased by goons Srimannarayana comes to her rescue. Why she is chased, and how the past of both Srimannarayana and Janaki bring them together forms the rest of the story.

What is Good: Balakrishna excels as a dynamic professor. Not only does he look fitter and younger, he dances well. He plays a rather subdued role as both professor and also as a righteous and brave Dr. Narasimha in the flashback. Nayanatara sizzles in the little role she gets as the wife of Dr. Narasimha. Kota Srinivas Rao seems to have got complete command on the medium and his expressions. K. R. Vijaya as Srimannarayana’s granny does good work and so does Sneha Ullal. Namitha, Venu Madhav, Ali, Dharmavarpu, Krishna Bhagavan together evoke fair laughter. Power dialogue is a must in every Balakrishna film. Dialogues in Simha are not only power packed but also elevate the characters he plays to a new level.

Some Dialogue:

Okkasaari naadi anukunna tharuvaatha entha dooram ainaa velathaanu.
Ara nimisham lo chachevaadivi, nee address naakenduku raa.
Guns are made for rules, not sword!
Labha nasthala vishayam lo padi mandi emainaa choodanu antunnavu, manchi chedula vishayam lo bava anna vishayam kooda choodanu!
Simham tho pettukovali ante panjaa lo vaadi, Vamsham tho pettukovaali ante raktham lo vedi vundaali raa.
Basic gaa nenu lecturer ni. Bell kootinatharuvaatha paatham modalettanu ante, mallee bellu kottedaaka gaani vadalanu!

However what deserves to be highly appreciated is the conflict within Dr. Naramisha’s character. He asks himself if he, as a doctor who saves life, should go killing the goons in the society. Also Nayanatara’s one single dialogue about the different things that happens both in her home and the village when her husband kills is really good. It justifies killing in the film to an extent, which otherwise seems to find no explanation in such action films.

What’s Bad: Except that there is too much of blood on screen, there is hardly anything missing in this film to be writing bad about. For someone like Balakrishna who can manage entertainers and mythological films equally well, the basic plot of his each film generally seems to be following the same path. However, within the limitations of the story this one has got the punch!

Technical Department: Boyapati Srinu’s movies are known for power packed dialogues, fast paced action and some doses of sentiment. He excels in all the departments making Simha an out and out entertainer. The visual effects and editing by Kotagiri Venkateshwara Rao, especially in the fight scenes is thrilling. Kanulaara song captures the tradition of performing ‘Laxmi Narayana Kalyanam’ and is shot exceptionally well. It seems cinematography in Telugu films is improving with every film and it is no surprise that Arthur Wilson’s cinematography is good too. Background music keeps the intensity tight!

Bottomline: Since last two years Balakrishna might not have had a super hit, but Simha is going to take us to a ride where we enjoy the hero rising and shining at each and every turn of the film. Watch it for sure and enjoy the pride of another Tollywood’s own film that works to the T.