Jagapathi Babu and Anasuya Bharadwaj's "Simbhaa," directed by Murali Manohar, is set to hit theaters on August 9th, 2024. The film has garnered significant attention, generating anticipation among audiences eager to see the on-screen chemistry between these two talented actors. The anticipation is high to see if the film will make a mark on movie lovers and deliver a compelling cinematic experience.
Simbhaa unfolds as a gripping tale of environmental activism and corporate greed, set against the backdrop of Hyderabad. The city is shaken by a series of gruesome murders, targeting individuals connected to the Partha Group of Industries, owned by the powerful Partha (Kabir Duhan Singh).
The police investigation zeroes in on school teacher Akshika (Anasuya Bharadwaj) and investigative journalist Faasil (Maganti Srinath), raising suspicions about their involvement. However, the investigation takes an unexpected turn, leading the cops and the dedicated investigative officer Anurag (Vasishta Simha) down a path of shocking revelations.
The narrative intertwines with the story of Purushottam Reddy (Jagapathi Babu), a passionate environmental activist fighting against industrial pollution. The film explores how his crusade against the Partha Group and their environmentally harmful practices connects to the unfolding murders, leading to a thrilling investigation.
Jagapathi Babu delivers a powerful performance, showcasing his acting prowess as the determined environmental activist. Anasuya Bharadwaj surprises with her performance, displaying her versatility by convincingly handling action sequences. Vasishta Simha delivers a strong performance as the dedicated investigative officer, bringing depth and gravitas to his role.
Divi Vaidya and Maganti Srinath make their presence felt, adding to the film's ensemble. While Gautami's role remains inconsequential, Kabir Duhan Singh's portrayal of the antagonist lacks depth and feels like a mere caricature. Anish Kuruvilla, Kasturi, and the supporting cast deliver adequate performances, contributing to the film's overall narrative.
Murali Manohar's "Simbhaa" presents a compelling story that highlights the urgent need for environmental protection within a thrilling crime thriller framework. The narrative introduces an intriguing element - Cellular Memory - that sparks curiosity and adds a unique dimension to the plot.
However, the film could benefit from a more refined flashback episode, which might have been more captivating.
The first half begins promisingly with a series of murders, but the police investigation lacks the necessary suspense and becomes predictable. Jagapathi Babu's entry in the second half injects a much-needed energy into the story, but the director could have incorporated more impactful dialogues for him to amplify the message of environmental protection.
Tammi Raju's editing could have been more streamlined, especially in the second half, where the pacing slows down. Krishna Prasad's cinematography is commendable, capturing the visual aspects of the story effectively. While Krishna Saurabh's background music is decent, it could have been more impactful. The production values are satisfactory.
Overall, "Simbhaa" offers a timely message about environmental protection woven into a crime thriller. While the film has its strengths, including a strong performance by Jagapathi Babu and a compelling premise, it could have benefited from a more engaging police investigation, tighter editing, and a more powerful emphasis on the environmental message.
Altogether, Simbaa turns out to be routine crime thriller. "Simbaa," directed by Murali Manohar, initially captures attention with its intriguing premise. However, the investigation scenes lack the necessary twists and turns, resulting in a somewhat predictable and underwhelming experience. While Sampath Nandi's story provides a solid foundation, the director has tried his best, but could have infused the script with more compelling elements, adding greater depth and excitement to the narrative. With a few script refinements, "Simbaa" could have been a more impactful and entertaining film. Cinejosh awards the film a rating of 2.25, acknowledging its potential but recognizing its shortcomings in execution.