Veera Simha Reddy

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Veera Simha Reddy
Veera Simha Reddy poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Gopichand Malineni
Screenplay byGopichand Malineni
Dialogue by
Story byGopichand Malineni
Produced by
  • Naveen Yerneni
  • Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar
Starring
CinematographyRishi Punjabi
Edited by Naveen Nooli
Music by S. Thaman
Production
company
Release date
  • 12 January 2023 (2023-01-12)
Running time
172 minutes [1]
Country India
LanguageTelugu
Budgetest.₹70 –₹90 crore [2] [3]
Box officeest.₹134 crore [4]

Veera Simha Reddy is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action drama film [5] written and directed by Gopichand Malineni and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in a dual role, alongside Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Shruti Haasan, Honey Rose and Duniya Vijay. The film score and soundtrack were composed by S. Thaman.

Contents

Principal photography commenced in February 2022 and ended in December 2022. Veera Simha Reddy was released on 12 January 2023, coinciding on the Sankranthi weekend and clashing with Waltair Veeraya. The film received negative reviews from critics and audiences, but performed well at the box-office, grossing over ₹134 crore worldwide. [6]

Plot

In Istanbul, Meenakshi runs a "Rayalaseema Cuisine" restaurant and lives with her son Jai Simha Reddy, who manages a car dealership. During an altercation at the dealership, Jai meets Isha, a struggling singer, and the two fall in love. Jai and Meenakshi later visit Isha’s wealthy father, Jayaram, to propose marriage. While the families speak, Meenakshi reveals that Jai’s father is Veera Simha Reddy, a powerful leader from Anantapuram known for his efforts to end Rayalaseema factional violence.

Veera Simha Reddy commands respect for mediating disputes and attempting to curb regional feuds. He is the primary target of rival faction leader Pratap Reddy, who repeatedly fails to assassinate him. Veera Simha Reddy’s callous wife Bhanumati, resents him deeply, believing he is responsible for her lifelong suffering. With encouragement from his minister uncle Peddi Reddy, Pratap Reddy plots to illegally seize a factory owned by industrialist Rajagopal. When Rajagopal seeks Veera Simha Reddy’s help, the latter confronts the conspirators and warns them against further wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Meenakshi invites Veera Simha Reddy to Istanbul, marking his first meeting with Jai, who does not know his true identity. Though Meenakshi and Veera Simha Reddy were never formally married, Jayaram accepts their relationship and agrees to the match between Jai and Isha. However, Jayaram fears retaliation from Pratap Reddy’s faction due to his investment in the disputed factory. Pratap Reddy, alerted to Veera Simha Reddy’s presence in Turkey, attacks him there.

During the confrontation, Bhanumati intervenes and reveals that she is actually Veera Simha Reddy’s sister. She begs him to spare her husband, but Pratap Reddy and Bhanumati betray him, fatally stabbing him. Jai attempts to fight back, but his father stops him, declaring he would lay down his life for his sister. Before dying, Veera Simha Reddy asks Jai to bring his body home to Rayalaseema and perform his final rites. In the village, Jai conducts the funeral amid massive crowds. Searching for the truth behind Bhanumati’s hatred, he hears the past from Siddappa, Veera Simha Reddy’s loyal aide.

Years earlier, Bhanumati was born out of wedlock to Veera Simha Reddy’s father. Despite this, Veera Simha Reddy loved her devotedly. Meenakshi, his cross-cousin, hoped to marry him after Bhanumati’s future was secured. At the time, a neighboring village suffered under Gangi Reddy, Pratap Reddy’s father. When a victim sought help, Veera Simha Reddy confronted the oppressor and killed Gangi Reddy, sowing enmity with Pratap Reddy.

Bhanumati also fell in love with Siddappa’s son Shekar, and Veera Simha Reddy approved their marriage. During annual traditional contests, Pratap Reddy delayed Veera Simha Reddy, prompting Shekar to participate in his place, where he was beaten badly. Traumatized, Shekar drunkenly fired a gun, accidentally killing a villager Suri. Dedicated to justice, Veera Simha Reddy exiled Shekar, leading the guilt-ridden young man to commit suicide. Bhanumati, devastated, blamed Veera Simha Reddy for destroying her happiness and vowed revenge. She married Pratap Reddy solely to see her brother killed and forbade her husband from touching her until then. Veera Simha Reddy renounced comforts in remorse and sent Meenakshi away, unaware she was pregnant with Jai.

After hearing the truth, Jai confronts Rajagopal’s persecutors, determined to fulfill his father’s mission. During a confrontation, Pratap Reddy insults and strikes Bhanumati, revealing he manipulated her grief to ignite hatred. Realizing her mistakes, a remorseful Bhanumati commits suicide, freeing Jai from any familial obligation. During her cremation, Pratap Reddy attacks, but Jai overwhelms him. In the final battle, he kills Pratap Reddy and merges Bhanumati’s ashes with Veera Simha Reddy’s grave. Jai then vows to uphold his father’s ideals and continue his legacy of justice in Rayalaseema.

Cast

Production

Development

In late January 2021, it was reported that Gopichand Malineni would team up with Nandamuri Balakrishna for his next directional, funded by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers. [7] The project was officially announced on 10 June, on the occasion of Balakrishna's birthday, with the working title NBK107. Thaman S was brought on-board to compose the score. [8] A muhurtam ceremony was held on 13 November in Hyderabad. [9]

Casting

In mid June 2021, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar was reported to play an important role in the film. [10] In mid August, Vijay Sethupathi was reported to play the lead antagonist role, thus making the film as his second Telugu film after Uppena (2021), but turned to be false. [11] In October, Shruti Haasan was reported to play the lead female role, alongside Balakrishna. She was reported to receive ₹2.5 crore (US$300,000) for remuneration. [12] Shruti's commitments were officially announced on 5 November. [13] Kannada actor Duniya Vijay was announced playing the lead antagonist on 3 January 2022. [14] Few days later, Varalaxmi's commitments were officially announced. [15]

Filming

Principal photography begam on 18 February 2022 in Sircilla and commenced in December. [16] [17] [18] In October 2022, the film's official title was unveiled as Veera Simha Reddy.[ citation needed ]

Music

Veera Simha Reddy
Soundtrack album by
Thaman S
Released9 January 2023
Recorded2022
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length15:16
LanguageTelugu
Label Sony Music India
Thaman S chronology
Varisu
(2023)		Veera Simha Reddy
(2023)		 Bro
(2023)
Singles from Veera Simha Reddy
  1. "Jai Balayya (Mass Anthem)"
    Released: 26 November 2022
  2. "Suguna Sundari"
    Released: 15 December 2022
  3. "Maa Bava Manobhavalu"
    Released: 24 December 2022
  4. "Mass Mogudu"
    Released: 9 January 2023

The music of the film is composed by Thaman S. The first single titled "Jai Balayya" was released on 26 November 2022. [19] The second single titled "Suguna Sundari" was released on 15 December 2022. [20] The third single titled "Maa Bava Manobhavalu" was released on 24 December 2022. [21] The fourth single titled "Mass Mogudu" was released on 9 January 2023. [22]

All lyrics are written by Ramajogayya Sastry.

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Jai Balayya" (Mass Anthem)Kareemullah3:51
2."Suguna Sundari" Ram Miriyala, Snigdha Sharma4:14
3."Maa Bava Manobhavalu"Sahiti Chaganti, Yamini, Renu Kumar4:49
4."Mass Mogudu" Mano, Ramya Behara 3:27
Total length:15:16

Release

Theatrical

Veera Simha Reddy released on 12 January 2023, for the Sankranti weekend. [23] [24] [25] Theatrical rights of the film were sold at a cost of ₹73 crore. [26]

Home media

The digital streaming rights of the film were acquired by JioHotstar for ₹14 crore, [27] [26] and was premiered on 23 February 2023. [28] It was premiered on television on Star Maa on 23 April 2023.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 40% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3/10. [29]

Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Veera Simha Reddy is Balakrishna’s film through-and-through. However, where he triumphs as Veera, he fails as Jai. Whenever the man comes on-screen donned is black is when you feel like paying attention, his cakey makeup and lukewarm performance while playing the other character takes away from it." [30] Janani K of India Today gave the film a rating of 2.5 out of 5 and termed the film as "reeks of clichéd ideas", criticised the storyline while praised the performance of Balakrishna. [31]

Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times wrote "The film thrives on violence and some exquisitely shot action sequences, which are a treat to watch. As the central character Veera Simha Reddy, Balakrishna holds the film together and its quite literally a one-man show." [32] Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu wrote "Violent scenes that bank on shock value, powerful antagonists, and an intriguing larger narrative worked well to complement the slow-motion chest-thumping moments. In Veera Simha Reddy, we have a loosely knit and archaic narrative told through a template screenplay." [33] Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express rated the film 0.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "The troubling part of Veera Simha Reddy, by that token most of Balakrishna's movies, is that it argues its okay to kill to solve a problem". [34]

Box office

Veera Simha Reddy grossed ₹54+ crore worldwide on its opening day, including ₹36.2 crore from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana combined. [35] Thus, it became the highest opening grosser for Nandamuri Balakrishna. [36] The film has grossed US$747,000 by the first day of its release in the United States. [37] By the end of its theatrical run, Veera Simha Reddy grossed ₹134 crore worldwide including a distributors' share of ₹79.82 crore. [6]

Accolades

Award [a] Date of ceremony [b] CategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Santosham Film Awards 2 December 2023 Best Director Gopichand Malineni Won [38]
South Indian International Movie Awards 14 September 2024 Best Director – Telugu Gopichand Malineni Nominated [39] [40]
Best Actress – Telugu Shruti Haasan Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Telugu Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Nominated
Best Actor in a Negative Role – Telugu Duniya Vijay Won
Best Music Director – Telugu Thaman S Nominated
Best Lyricist – Telugu Sri Mani ("Ori Vaari")Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu Sahiti Chaganti, Satya Yamini ("Maa Bava Manobhavalu")Nominated

Notes

  1. ↑ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ↑ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

  1. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy". British Board of Film Classification . Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy To Baby, 5 Tollywood Films That Reached Breakeven In 2023". News 18. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "'వాల్తేరు వీరయ్య', 'వీర సింహారెడ్డి' సినిమాల బడ్జెట్ ఎంతో తెలుసా ?". ABP News (in Telugu). 12 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy: 100 రోజులు పూర్తి చేసుకున్న బాలకృష్ణ వీరసింహారెడ్డి మూవీ.. సెంటర్స్ లిస్ట్ ఇవే." TV9 Telugu . 21 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "Nandamuri Balakrishna's first look from NBK107 promises a heavy-duty action film". The Indian Express . 21 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Veera Simha Reddy: 100 రోజులు పూర్తి చేసుకున్న బాలకృష్ణ వీరసింహారెడ్డి మూవీ.. సెంటర్స్ లిస్ట్ ఇవే." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 21 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "'Krack' director Gopichand likely to team up with Balakrishna for an actioner". The Times of India. 21 January 2021. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  8. ↑ "Nandamuri Balakrishna announces his 107th film on his birthday; teams up with Gopichand Malineni". Times Now News . 10 June 2021. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  9. ↑ "NBK 107: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Shruti Haasan's film gets launched with pooja ceremony; pics go viral". The Times of India . 13 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  10. ↑ "Varalaxmi Sarathkumar brought on-board Balakrishna and Gopichand Malineni's #NBK107". The Times of India. 11 June 2021. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "Vijay Sethupathi to play a crucial role in Nandamuri Balakrishna's next with Gopichand Malineni?". The Times of India. 12 August 2021. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Shruti Haasan to pair opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna for his next with Gopichand Malineni?". The Times of India. 28 October 2021. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Shruti Haasan roped in as female lead for Balakrishna's next with Gopichand Malineni". The Times of India. 5 November 2021. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  14. ↑ "#NBK107: Duniya Vijay to play the antagonist in the Nandamuri Balakrishna starrer". The Times of India. 3 January 2022. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "Sharat Kumar's daughter to play a key role in Nandamuri Balakrishna's 'NBK107'". The Times of India. 5 January 2022. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  16. ↑ "NBK 107 షూటింగ్ షురూ..చితగొట్టేస్తున్న బాలకృష్ణ". Samayam Telugu (in Telugu). 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  17. ↑ "Balakrishna | NBK 107 : సిరిసిల్లలో మొదలైన బాలయ్య గోపీచంద్ కొత్త సినిమా షూటింగ్." News18 (in Telugu). 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  18. ↑ "Balakrishna starts shooting for 'NBK107' with a heavy action sequence". The Times of India . 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  19. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy song Jai Balayya: Another ode to the myth of Nandamuri Balakrishna". The Indian Express. 25 November 2022. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  20. ↑ "Suguna Sundari: Second single from Nandamuri Balakrishna's 'Veera Simha Reddy' to be unveiled on Dec 15". Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  21. ↑ "Nandamuri Balakrishna's Veera Simha Reddy 3rd single Maa Bava Manobhavalu to be out on Dec 24". India Today. 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  22. ↑ "Here is yet another exquisite dance number 'Mass Mogudu' from Nandamuri Balakrishna, Shruti Haasan and Gopichand Malineni's 'Veera Simha Reddy'!". Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  23. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy: Lion Ready For The Hunt". Gulte.com. 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  24. ↑ "Its official! Nandamuri Balakrishna's Veera Simha Reddy to release in theatres on Jan 12". India Today. 3 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  25. ↑ "'వీరసింహారెడ్డి'కి గుమ్మడికాయ కొట్టేశారు.. ఈ నెలాఖరు నుంచి ఆన్‌లైన్ టికెట్ బుకింగ్స్". Hindustan Times Telugu. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  26. 1 2 "Veera Simha Reddy 8 Days WW Collections: 'వీరసింహారెడ్డి' 8 డేస్ వాల్డ్ వైడ్ బాక్సాఫీస్ కలెక్షన్స్.. బాక్సాఫీస్ దగ్గర బాలయ్య ఎంత బాకీ ఉన్నాడంటే." News18 Telugu (in Telugu). 20 January 2023. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Official: Veera Simha Reddy Gets OTT Streaming Partner". Mirchi9. 12 January 2023. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  28. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy OTT release: This is when and where you can watch the Balakrishna, Shruthi Haasan starrer". ottplay.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  29. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  30. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy Movie Review: Balakrishna triumphs as Veera but not so much as Jai". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  31. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy Movie Review: Balakrishna packs a punch in this template action entertainer". India Today . 12 January 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  32. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy movie review: Without Nandamuri Balakrishna's energetic presence the film would be boring". Hindustan Times. 12 January 2023. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  33. ↑ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (12 January 2023). "'Veera Simha Reddy' movie review: Balakrishna misspent on a mind-numbing template". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy movie review: This Nandamuri Balakrishna starrer has no soul". The Indian Express . Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  35. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy box office collection day 1: Balakrishna's film collects ₹60 crore". Hindustan Times . 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  36. ↑ "Veera Simha Reddy box office collection day 1: Nandamuri Balakrishna's film sets box office on fire, beats Ajith-starrer Thunivu". The Indian Express . 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  37. ↑ "US: Waltair Veerayya is off to a terrific start". Telugu Cinema . 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  38. ↑ "22వ సంతోషం సౌత్ ఇండియన్ ఫిల్మ్ అవార్డ్స్.. ఈసారి ఘనంగా గోవాలో." 10TV Telugu (in Telugu). 8 November 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  39. ↑ Bharat, E. T. V. (17 July 2024). "SIIMA 2024 Nominations Revealed: Nani's Dasara and Rajinikanth Starrer Jailer Lead with 11 Nominations Each". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  40. ↑ "SIIMA Awards 2024: Dasara, Hi Nanna, Kaatera and Sapta Sagaradaache Ello win big on Day 1". The Indian Express. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
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