Samarasimha Reddy

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Samarasimha Reddy is a 1999 Telugu action drama directed by B. Gopal and produced by Chengala Venkat Rao, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna in the title role with Anjala Zaveri, Simran and Sanghavi. It was written by V. Vijayendra Prasad with Ratna Kumar and the Paruchuri Brothers, and Mani Sharma composed the music. Released on 13 January 1999, it was an industry hit, the highest-grossing Telugu film of its time, and is credited with starting the wave of Rayalaseema faction films. Our record lists a running time of 148 minutes.

What the story is about

Kantamma, a harsh woman who runs a small roadside eatery, mistreats her stepchildren: young Vasu and his three sisters, one of whom is paralysed. When she refuses to let Vasu feed his starving sisters, the boy runs away into the night. Years later Kantamma’s business is collapsing because a sharp-tongued rival, Chittamma, has opened across the street and taken her customers. Then a cheerful stranger named Abbulu turns up looking for work, turns the failing hotel into a success, and takes a quiet, protective interest in the three sisters. Meanwhile a ruthless factionist, Veera Raghava Reddy, has sent his sons to hunt Abbulu down, and the reason why, along with who Abbulu really is, drives the rest of the film.

Cast

• Nandamuri Balakrishna as Samarasimha Reddy / Abbulu
• Anjala Zaveri as Anjali
• Simran as Srikakulam Chittamma
• Sanghavi as Neelaveni
• Jayachitra as Kantamma
• Jaya Prakash Reddy as Veera Raghava Reddy
• Satyanarayana as the police commissioner
• Thilakan as Narasimha Reddy
• Brahmanandam as Kotilingam
• Kota Srinivasa Rao and M. S. Narayana

Making and music

The Paruchuri Brothers and B. Gopal reportedly discussed 25 to 30 stories before settling on a faction-based plot. Most of the film was shot at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. Mani Sharma’s soundtrack was released by Supreme Music.

Reception and box office

Full Hyderabad rated it 7.5, writing that “the biggest strength of the film is its script that has action and sentiments in the right combination”. According to a News18 feature on Telugu films “that set the cash registers ringing”, cited by Wikipedia, it grossed over ₹30 crore on a ₹6 crore budget. Wikipedia also records long theatrical runs: 227 days in three theatres, 175 days in 29 centres, 100 days in 104 centres, and a 365-day run in one theatre. It was dubbed into Tamil as Shanmuga Pandian.

B. Gopal won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu, and Rambabu the Nandi Award for Best Costume Designer.

Legacy

At a time when romantic and family dramas dominated, Samarasimha Reddy became a hit without a love track, and it opened the door for a run of Rayalaseema faction films, among them Jayam Manadera (2000), Narasimha Naidu (2001), Aadi (2002), Indra (2002), Chennakesava Reddy (2002), Okkadu (2003) and Samba (2004).

Where to watch Samarasimha Reddy

We do not have a confirmed streaming platform for Samarasimha Reddy on file. The OTT details on this page will be updated when a platform’s own listing confirms it.

Sources: the Wikipedia article on Samarasimha Reddy and the review and reports it cites; our own cast and crew records.