The much-hyped Telugu movie Narasimhudu, a remake of the Kannada hit Durgi, is a huge disappointment.
All the new film has to offer is skin, thanks to Bollywood girls Sameera Reddy and Amisha Patel, and a good performance from N T Ramarao Jr.
Director B Gopal has chosen a stale plot -- avenging the rape of a minor girl. Producer Chengala Venkat Rao, of Samrasimhareddy fame, had announced that Narasimhudu would cross 100 days in 202 centres. The statement drew flak forced the director to declare it as 'hasty'.
After the death of his parents, NTR jr is brought up by villagers. Growing up, he is loved by one and all. A girl from Kerala, Sameera Reddy, falls in love with him, but he keeps her at a distance.
But this idyll doesn't last. Politicians' relatives sexually assault a minor. And all hell breaks loose as this triggers off the killer instinct in the hitherto peace-loving NTR Jr. The rest is predictable.
After duds like Andhrawala and Naa Alludu, it was necessary for the young actor to look for a solid script, and he would rue his decision to do this film, after dropping the script penned by Vijayendraprasad, who earlier gave him the blockbuster Simhadri.
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Gopal, who made the average grosser Allari Ramudu with NTR Jr, is fascinated with a formula of attractively picturised songs, big action scenes, punchlines and comedy, but fails to pick the right plot.
This is the director's second disappointment after Palnati Brahmanaidu, and he should be careful since there are many young directors closing in on him.
Bollywood actress Amisha Patel who, in Telegu cinema, has had both a hit, Bhadri, and a flop, Naani, plays a village belle. But she doesn't have enough talent to salvage the poorly etched role. Item girl Sameera Reddy debuts with a glamourous role, and the songs exploit her hourglass figure, but her role offers no scope for performance.
After Gemini, villain Kalabavan Mani impresses again as a dreaded baddie, while Puneet Issar and Rahul Dev are adequate. Attempts at pedestrian comedy, by Brahmanandam, are pathetic.
Manisharma has composed a few catchy numbers, like Chumma chumma. Action director Vijay choreographs some breathtaking action to try and salvage the insipid plot, but that is too ambitious a task.
