Syeraa Narasimha Reddy Movie Review, Release Date, Star Cast, Story
Syeraa Narasimha Reddy Movie Release Date:
2nd October, 2019
Syeraa Narasimha Reddy Star Cast:
Chiranjeevi as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy
Amitabh Bachchan as Gosayi Venkanna
Sudeep as Avuku Raju
Vijay Sethupathi as Raja Pandi
Jagapathi Babu as Veera Reddy
Nayanthara as Siddhamma
Anushka Shetty as Jhansi Lakshmibai
Ravi Kishan as Basireddy
Nassar as Jayaramireddy
Lakshmi Gopalaswamy as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy’s mother
Mukesh Rishi as Baba Khan
Tanikella Bharani as Govindayya Sharma
Syeraa Narasimha Reddy Movie Review:
Our long-standing freedom struggle saga is replete with innumerable stories of valor and valor. Sadly, some of them are lost in the pages of history or there is only local awareness. Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy is one such legend who is credited with fighting a decisive battle a decade before the Great Revolt of 1857. Ram Charan takes up the challenge of making a film on this figure, titled Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, and stars his father, megastar Chiranjeevi. The presence of actors from other industries and that it releases in Hindi and other versions, makes Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy a pan-India film in the true sense. So does Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy manage to entertain and excite the audience? Or does it fail to impress? Let’s analyze.
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is the story of the first chapter of India’s freedom struggle. The year is 1857. Rani Lakshmibai’s (Anushka Shetty) soldiers are wondering if a handful of them will be able to fight the British army. To inspire them, Rani narrates the story of Bahadur Narasimha Reddy (Chiranjeevi), who rebelled against the British a decade before the Revolt of 1857. After this the story goes into flashback mode. Narasimha Reddy is the ruler of a part of the region called Rayalaseema in South India. He is part of a polygar which includes many other rulers like Avuku Raju (Sudeep), Basi Reddy (Ravi Kishan) etc. All these kings receive pension from the British and are expected to be subordinate to the Crown. Narasimha Reddy, however, disagrees with this arrangement and seeks a way to free his kingdom from the clutches of the British. The region is facing drought and to appease the rain gods, Narasimha Reddy’s scholar Guru Gosai Venkanna (Amitabh Bachchan) asks to conduct a yagna. Narasimha is shocked as he learns that the last time a similar yagya took place was in his childhood and at that time, he was married to Siddhamma (Nayantara). But the married couple was kept apart as there was a ‘dosh’ in their union and they could reunite only after another yajna. Narasimha Reddy is the first to be devastated because he is in love with Lakshmi (Tamanna Bhatia). With a heavy heart, Narasimha Reddy leaves Lakshmi and advises her to use her dancing talent for the greater good. He then accepts Siddhamm and starts his married life. British officer Jackson (Oscar Skagerberg) demands taxes from the farmers despite the drought. He also makes fun of them and once he is doing so, Narasimha Reddy comes and teaches him a lesson. An enraged Jackson enters a village function and exterminates 5 farmers and a child. Narasimha Reddy is so enraged that he enters the British settlement, attacks the soldiers and then beheads Jackson. The other rulers of Polygar at first refused to help him, but then joined Narasimha Reddy in challenging the mighty British Empire. What happens next becomes the rest of the story.
The story of Paruchuri Brothers is excellent and makes for a grand, patriotic film. He has obviously fictionalized a lot of the events in the plot but it is very well done. Surender Reddy’s script is confusing in the beginning as too many characters are introduced and it can be difficult to understand who exactly belongs to whom. But in the later scenes, the script is quite effective and packs a punch. Manoj Muntashir and Jitendra Pawar’s dialogues are sharp though some of them are over the top.
Surender Reddy’s direction is quite broad and simple. Most of the important scenes are well executed and leave a lasting impression. He beautifully evokes the emotions of the audience. One cannot help but hate the British for their atrocities and one cannot help but root for the acts of Narasimha Reddy. On the flipside, the initial portions are strictly average. The film moves very fast, as it is already very long at 171 minutes and hence, some scenes do not make the desired effect. There is also a déj vu of Baahubali, Hollywood flick 300 and even surprisingly The Avengers and it could have been avoided at many places.
The opening parts of Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy are not very impressive. The proceedings are neither great nor terrible – it’s somewhere in between. The first 30-40 minutes are spent introducing the characters, setting, location, etc. Siddhama’s entry brings a great twist in the story. But some developments are difficult to digest at the moment. Sidhamma remembers his wedding, which took place in his childhood, but Narasimha Reddy didn’t even know that he was married! However, the film actually picks up the scene where Jackson comes to a farm and makes fun of a farmer. The way Narasimha Reddy delivers a monologue and challenges Jackson is appreciable. Although the interaction sequence is even better and the audience in single screen cinemas will go crazy this time. There are some great moments in the second half as well, though they never quite reach the level of the above scenes in the first half. It also gets a bit long. But it keeps one connected. The finale is strong and the film ends with a bang.
The ensemble cast in Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is very good but the film belongs to Chiranjeevi. No doubt about that! He owns the film with his performance and style. Seeing him in action so well at this age is also commendable. His stardom remains intact and it adds a lot to his character and the film. Sudeep is quite good as the mysterious and badass ruler and the audience will love it. Tamannaah Bhatia has a supporting role but she surprises in the second part. keep in mind! Nayanthara gets a very raw deal and the only scene where she makes an impression is when she confesses her love for Narasimha Reddy. Vijay Sethupathi (Raja Pandi) has a late entry but is entertaining. Jagapathi Babu (Veera Reddy) makes an impact in the pre climax. Oscar Skagerberg is excellent as the villain and will be remembered, although he is only in the first half. Ravi Kishan and Mukesh Rishi have acted well but their voice is dubbed by someone else, which makes their performance a bit awkward. Lakshmi Gopalaswamy (mother of Narasimha Reddy) is popular. Lastly, Amitabh Bachchan is rocking the special appearance while Anushka Shetty is as impressive as ever.
Amit Trivedi’s music is nothing special but works in the film. Initially, ‘Jago Narasimha Jaago Re’ failed to leave its mark. ‘Chandan Mera Mann’ is also not memorable. ‘Sye Raa’ comes at a great turn and is shot very well. ‘Saanse Teri Desh Hai’ is played in the end credits, but there is no period feel in it. Julius Packiam’s background score is quite good and adds to the drama and excitement.
Ratnavelu’s cinematography is over the top and goes to another level in the battle and action sequences. Rajeevan’s production design is lavish as well as authentic. The action of Greg Powell, Lee Whitaker, Ram-Laxman and A Vijay is one of the highlights of the film. It is bloody at times but overall good. The costumes of Anju Modi, Sushmita Konidela and Uttara Menon are royal. Sreekar Prasad’s editing is very quick-witted and careless at many places, which could have been avoided.
Overall, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is a great patriotic saga and a visual spectacle that leaves a tremendous impression for its plot, Chiranjeevi’s performance and massive execution. It is likely to be successful at the box office.