Jai Simha (2018):
There is no doubt that whenever you want to watch Balayya's films,make sure that the whole Balayya mania thing stays in your head.That's the only way to enjoy Balayya's films and we can admire each and every part he does.Be his dances,fights,dialogues,whatever..Being a Balayya Fan is the only way to enjoy his films mostly.As a fan of Balayya,I went to watch Jai Simha although the trailers looked bad.So how is Jai Simha?
Plot:
Narasimha(Balakrishna) along with his just-born son moves to Kumbakonam and starts working as a driver. There, he comes across a corrupt cop and keeps fighting with him time and again. During one of the key problems involving the cop, Narasimha suddenly finds out that the cop's wife is none other than his ex-girlfriend Gauri(Nayanthara). Who is this Narasimha? Why did he come to Kumbakonam? What is his backstory with Gauri? To know the answers, you need to watch the film on the big screen.
My Review:
I was prepared for a ride into 90's films since I saw trailers but still hoped for Balayya mark and the movie followed the similar format of 90's with seriously outdated comedy and scenes.Jai Simha has a predictable story with a small twist,which is quote good and shocking for Balayya's film. KS Ravikumar manages to keep the drama tight around that one little twist. The approach and narration are old-fashioned which is a massive problem with the film. The entire comedy track feels so dated and is also cringeworthy.
Some heroic scenes in the first half, like the temple episode and confrontation scenes with the villains, have been dealt well. The interval bang is also decent and sets the tone nicely for the second part.All of those scenes are so cliched but Balayya mark can be felt with dialogues and fights.The dialogue "Nen Pedhaga Chaduvkole.....Nak Inthey Thelusu" is clap-worthy.But despite all of this,KS Ravikumar took a daring with the ending.That particular scene may divide audience,One section may feel it as nice emotion whereas other section will feel it as over the top emotion.But still it is daring climax for Balayya.
Balakrishna is the biggest asset of the film. He is seen in two different roles and has given a tremendous performance. Balakrishna not only impresses the masses with his punch dialogues but also moves them to tears with his emotional avatar during the climax. The star hero has also danced supremely well in the Ammkuty song which will be a treat for his fans.The song 'Ammakutti' draws wolf-whistles from the crowd, for Balayya's moves and the massy lyrics.Entire Theater went gaga over the song and 'Once More' dialogues were heard in theater.His dances are goosebumps worthy with such a grace in moves even at that age.Jai Balayya...
Nayanthara is the only other actor of the film who made her presence felt.Rest of them either underplayed or overacted.
The film is mass movie and the cinematography, artwork and action stunts are all massy. C Ram Prasad captures the sequences in Kumbakonam and Vizag well but his work is quite routine in most parts. Music by Chirantan Bhatt is decent as all the songs sound good on screen. But the background score could have been a bit better during the crunch elevation scenes.
So,the only way to enjoy this 165-minute long film is you have to chant "Jai Balayya Jai Jai Balayya" and then you are in for a treat.
My Rating 5.5/10
