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| Image Credit BookMyShow |
Simbaa, starring Anasuya Bharadwaj and Jagapathi Babu, promised an intriguing storyline centered on nature conservation and revenge. Directed by Murali Mohan Reddy, the film explores thought-provoking themes but fails to deliver due to subpar execution, making it a disappointing watch.
Simbaa Storyline:
The plot revolves around Aksha (Anasuya Bharadwaj), a committed teacher burdened with family responsibilities after her husband’s tragic accident. One day, she shockingly murders a stranger, unraveling a series of events involving a journalist and a doctor, Dr. Irani (Anish Kuruvilla). Together, they form an unlikely trio that commits murders, with the reasons behind their actions linking to Jagapathi Babu's character. The film attempts to connect these events to themes of nature conservation, focusing on cellular and biological memory.
Strengths of Simbaa:
The film’s premise is undoubtedly its strongest asset. Addressing the need to protect nature through cellular memory is an innovative concept that has immense potential. Anasuya Bharadwaj shines in her role as Aksha, portraying her character’s depth and struggles convincingly. Her performance keeps the audience engaged during her screen time.
Vasishta Simha also delivers a commendable performance in a supporting role, while the thematic attempt to interweave revenge drama with environmental conservation is noteworthy, at least on paper.
Where Simbaa Falls Short:
Unfortunately, the execution of this intriguing concept is where Simbaa falters. Murali Mohan Reddy’s direction lacks focus and fails to capitalize on the story’s potential. The narrative starts off well but quickly derails into a clichéd revenge drama. The pacing is painfully slow, with the first half cluttered with unnecessary scenes that dilute the core storyline.
The second half, dominated by flashbacks, does little to engage the audience, and the film’s emotional core feels shallow and unconvincing. The attempt to merge nature conservation with revenge falls flat, as the writing lacks depth and fails to create a lasting impact.
Technical Shortcomings:
Poor production values are another setback for Simbaa. The visuals feel outdated, and the actors appear weary in many scenes. Editing is a major issue, with several redundant sequences that should have been trimmed to maintain a tighter narrative. The screenplay, though based on a strong concept, is weak and riddled with predictable, over-the-top moments.
Performances:
Anasuya Bharadwaj delivers a stellar performance, portraying her character with intensity and grace. Jagapathi Babu, however, seems to be repeating his usual act, offering nothing new. The rest of the cast does their best but is let down by the lackluster script.
Final Verdict:
Simbaa had all the ingredients to be a thought-provoking film with a strong message about safeguarding nature. However, its poor execution, slow pacing, and lack of emotional depth make it a tedious and over-the-top watch. While Anasuya Bharadwaj’s performance and the initial concept are commendable, the overall experience leaves much to be desired.