Balakrishna, Nayantara,CinematographyBalakrishna, Nayantara,CinematographyCliches, Weak Villain, Editing, Songs, Remotely engaging screenplay, Second half
After scoring a hit with Gautamiputra Satakarni and following it with a disastrous Paisa Vasool in 2017, Balakrishna is back to treat his diehard fans with his 102nd film , a massy entertainer directed by veteran Tamil Director KS Ravikumar, who is known to have delivered biggest blockbusters with the biggest superstars of Tamil cinema like Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith to name a few. Has the combo, which is badly in need of a blockbuster, succeeded in their attempt, playing to the galleries? Here's team AP Herald's exclusive first on net Jai Simha Review.
Narasimha lives a peaceful life with his child, though he's a man of mystery with a dark past. However, he faces threats to his life as well as his child's, and the reason being his clash with the evil Ashutosh Rana and Kalakeya Prabhakar. While his love story with Nayanthara also takes a beating because of Hariprriya's arrival, Balaiya now has to take care of his child and also eliminate the villains. How Balaiya destroyed the villains and whether he saved his child and joined Nayanthara is what Jai Simha is all about.
Balakrishna is his typical self with his casual and usual body language, and mouths crazy punches without regrets, and sends goons flying without mercy and respect for gravity. His energetic dances are a treat to watch, though some of the moves are all set to be part of memes and trolls. Nayanthara plays a cute girl next door role with ease, and impresses with her expressions and makes a mark. Ashutosh Rana is a loud caricature, and his villainy is worse than you could do nothing but laugh whenever he supposedly does something menacing. Hariprriya and Prakashraj are adequate while Natasha Doshi is purely dedicated to skin show.
The background score by Chirantan Bhat is loud and jarring, while of his songs, Only Priyam number picturized on Nayan and balaiya is hum-worthy, while the rest of the songs fall flat. Ram Prasad's cinematography captures the songs beautifully, besides showcasing the over the top stunts to perfection. Dialogues by M.Ratnam are poor, as they give a sense of deja vu and bore.
After helped by Krish and letdown by Puri Jagannath, once again Balaiya has joined hands with an experienced maker, a veteran known for his industry hits, but not in the form currently, with his last noticeable flick being an average Kottigoba 2 in Kannada, which failed in its Tamil version. And has the gamble to join hands with KS Ravikumar paid off? Sadly, its a big no.
The story by M.Ratnam is already outdated, and Ravikumar's poorly written screenplay and characterizations reminiscent of Balaiya's very own Simha and Narasimha Naidu, with typical cliched scenes and boring punches, besides the extreme drags in the second half, further worsened by pathetic song placement, almost kill this Simha. With a weak villain, a hero who can just keep thrashing anyone coming his way, the need for 3 heroines totally unjustified, and with poor technicalities and an uninspiring and remotely engaging screenplay, Jai Simha is a predictable entertainer that deserves a skip.
TWEETS:
7:26am: A heavy duty fight sequence and the movie ends on an emotional note. Watch out this space for complete review.
7:19am: The movie is inching towards the climax and both the villains Ashutosh Rana and Kalakeya Prabhakar join hands and they kidnap Nayantara...
7:13am: Villain Ashutosh Rana escapes from the custody of police after the flashback ends.
7:06am: A shocking accident sequence, leading to the opening sequence in hospital, followed by emotional sequences.
7:01am: An unexpected surprise twist in the screenplay as situations force Balaiya to marry Hariprriya, and followed by Yevevo song.
6:55am: Also some hard hitting emotional scenes on between Balayya and Hari Priya... At the same time, emotional family drama happens between Nayantara and Prakash Raj.
6:52am: Some scenes interlinked with Hari Priya's life are shown now.
6:48am: Few important sequences etched around Hariprriya and her life, on screen.
6:42am: Balaiya plays a mechanic, and another heroine Hariprriya makes an entry as assistant mechanic of Balaiya.
6:35am: After few romantic scenes, the pleasant number Priyam jagame featuring the Gorgeous Nayanthara and Balaiya.
6:31am: Confrontation scenes between Balakrishna and villain Ashutosh Rana's son.
6:26am: After the interval, film goes to flashback mode, and at Vizag, with Balaiya making a stylish entry in a cool and dapper avatar.
First Half Report: Jai Simha first half moves at a leisurely pace, with predictable scenes and Balaiya brand dialogues, with scenes reminiscent of blockbuster Narasimha Naidu. Balaiya's energetic dances and stunts and punchlines, and the stunning interval block are the only highlights.
6:15am: A surprise twist on screen, and the interval bang of Jai Simha.
6:07am: A High octane stunt sequence follows as Balaiya is involved in a struggle to save his son from Kalakeya Prabhakar and gang.
6:01am: The flashback part ends quick, and movie cuts to the present, heading towards interval.
5:55am: Jai Simha moves to flashback mode and scenes on young Balaiya and Nayanthara now.
5:50am: The movie's antagonist Ashutosh Rana is introduced on screen in Vizag prison, followed by a twist.
5:46am: Time for a powerful sequence featuring cops and priests as Balaiya makes an entry and utters some strong Sanskrit dialogues.
5:42am: After family scenes, now time for 'Amma Kutti' song.. Balayya's dance moments are just rocking!
5:38am: Kalakeya Prabhakar makes his entry as a local villain and his gang attacks Murali Mohan's family. Some tense moments are on.
5:35am: A massy scene featuring a face off between Balaiya and a local cop, with Balaiya delivering powerful punchlines.
5:33am: Debutant Natasha Doshi makes her first appearance on screen, she plays Murali Mohan's daughter.
5:29am: Jai Simha next reaches Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, followed by the introduction of star comedian Brahmanandam, and few comedy scenes come on screen.
5:25am: Balakrishna reaches a village, and is then seen being involved in an action sequence.
5:21am: The Anaganaga Anaganaga sentiment number on screen, featuring Balaiya and his child.
5:17am: Movie moves to Vijayawada, and Balakrishna makes a stunning entry on screen at railway station.
5:11am: Jai Simha starts with tense moments at hospital, featuring Nayanthara and Prakashraj.
5:05am: Jai Simha begins. The movie is 165 minutes long.
5:00am: After the dismal performance of his stylish action entertainer Paisa Vasool, Nandamuri Balakrishna returns on screen, this time for a mass masala flick, joining hands with veteran maker KS Ravikumar, who's been out of form, delivering flops in all industries. Can the flop combo deliver an unexpected success as a surprise for this Sankranthi? Here's team AP Herald's exclusive Jai Simha FDFS live updates.
Nandamuri Balakrishna,Nayanthara,K. S. Ravikumar,Kalyan .C,Chirantan BhattEven Balayya's energy couldn't save this powerless and weak lion
