Hubbry Logo
Seema SimhamSeema SimhamMain
Open search
Seema Simham
Community hub
Seema Simham
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Seema Simham
Seema Simham
Seema Simham
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Seema Simham
Theatrical release poster
Directed byG. Ram Prasad
Written byParuchuri Brothers (dialogues)
Screenplay byG. Ram Prasad
Story byChinni Krishna
Produced byD. V. V. Danayya
J. Bhagavan
StarringNandamuri Balakrishna
Simran
Reema Sen
Edited byKotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Music byMani Sharma
Production
company
Sri Balaji Art Creations
Release date
  • 11 January 2002 (2002-01-11)
Running time
155 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

Seema Simham (transl. Lion from Rayalaseema) is a 2002 Telugu-language action film produced by J. Bhagawan and D. V. V. Danayya under the Sri Balaji Art Creations banner and directed by G. Ram Prasad. It stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Simran and Reema Sen in the lead roles. The music was composed by Mani Sharma. The film met with mixed reviews from critics and was a commercial failure at the box office. The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as Oh Podu.[1]

Plot

[edit]

The film begins with the two besties, Dhanunjaya Rao and Chandra Sekhar. Dhanunjaya Rao, a tycoon, goes above and beyond to show Chandra Sekhar the importance of friendship. The two are blessed with male children on the same day and lead jollity. After a while, Chandra Shekar, being a police officer, seizes a dreaded goon whose men abduct Dhanunjaya Rao's son as an exchange. Chandra Shekar succumbs to his selfishness during the swap and shoots the criminal. As a result, Dhanunjaya Rao's son dies, which leads to the blackout stage of his wife, Lakshmi. Frenzied, Dhanunjaya Rao is out for blood by slaying Chandra Shekar's son, whom he hides.

Years roll by, and Dhanunjaya Rao is still under hunt of the boy, and Lakshmi is in a coma. Once, he sees a rectitude and rebel Durga Prasad thrashing the wicked cops for abusing the needy woman. Currently, Dhanunjaya Rao assigns him the task of detecting the whereabouts and assassinating the foe's son, which he accepts. Durga Prasad gets accommodated at his residence, where he is acquainted with his naughty nephew Charulatha / Baby. After a series of donnybrooks, she crushes. Shortly, he develops an affinity with Dhanunjaya Rao and reduces his grief. Step by Step, he makes Lakshmi normal with his volition. At that juncture, a valiant Simbhu Prasad arrives as Chandra Shekar's son, who dies in collision with Durga Prasad. Further, Dhanunjaya Rao's couple embraces Durga Prasad as their son settles nuptials and notifies his diabolical sister, Chamundeswari. Here, as a flabbergast, she infuriated repulses, claiming Durga Prasad is a stout-hearted SP and spins rearward.

Now, the tale shifts to a village where MP Kaaleswara Rao, husband of Chamundeswari, suppresses them under his toe and conducts various atrocities. Hema, a charming beauty, halts therein between the journey and is aware of the status quo. All at once, Durga Prasad alights and encounters Kaaleswara Rao's son, which Hema views and falls for. Apart from this, Kulashekar Rao, the father of Hema, coheres to the grounds of caste advances with the proposal to Durga Prasad's father, Visweswara Rao. In the interim, Kaaleswara Rao incarcerates the village and gives a call to Durga Prasad, jeopardizing them. However, he succeeds in shielding them by thundering on knaves, but it paralyzes his right arm.

Despite this, Hema stands firm, defying her parents, resides at Durga Prasad's house, serves day & night, and recoups him. During their wedlock, Chamundeswari Ruses breaks a cover-up that Durga Prasad is a foster to Visweswara Rao. So, Kulashekar Rao cancels the match when Durga Prasad aims and moves in quest of his parents. Presently, as a startle, Durga Prasad is the actual son of Chandra Shekar, and Simbhu Prasad is his younger progeny, Visweswara Rao. The two made this play to show Dhanunjaya Rao's serenity and rectify Lakshmi. Recognizing it, Dhanunjaya Rao flares up with Kaaleswara Rao & Chamundeswari when Durga Prasad bows his head down for sacrifice. On the verge of slaying, Lakshmi hinders him when he turns off. At last, Durga Prasad ceases the baddies, and Dhanunjaya Rao forgives Chandra Sekhar. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the marriage of Durga Prasad & Hema.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Three songs were shot at New Zealand.[2] The song "Manchithanam" was shot at Jagadamba center, RK beach and siripuri junction.[3]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Seema Simham
Film score by
Mani Sharma
Released2002
GenreSoundtrack
Length29:54
LabelAditya Music
ProducerMani Sharma
Mani Sharma chronology
Subbu
(2001) 		Seema Simham
(2002) 		Takkari Donga
(2002)

The music composed by Mani Sharma. The audio was launched at Taj Banjara on 26 December 2001.[4]

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Manchitanam Intiperu"ChandraboseShankar Mahadevan5:05
2."Rendu Jalla Pappa"BhuvanachandraK. S. Chithra, Shankar Mahadevan4:09
3."Koka Raika"Sirivennela Sitarama SastryS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Kavita Subramaniam5:23
4."Chandamaama"Sirivennela Sitarama SastryHariharan, Sujatha4:56
5."Pori Husharu"SrinivasMano, Radhika Thilak4:52
6."Avvaa Buvvaa"SrinivasUdit Narayan, Swarnalatha5:29
Total length:29:54

Release

[edit]

The film was released on 11 January 2002.[5]

Reception

[edit]

Idlebrain wrote "Screenplay of the film is bad. Direction is good in patches. There are a few brilliantly executed scenes. But the most of the other scenes in this film lack punch and are dull. Too many characters and too less time taken to establish these characters is the main drawback. The script of the film is loosely executed".[6] Sify wrote "The film is devoid of a coherent script. The director has no clue about the plot and his intention is to splash sauce and gore along with Durga Mata sentiments".[7] Full Hyderabad wrote "Don't get conned, this is not a sequel to Balakrishna's other 'simham' hits, since this one here has nothing to do with borders or lions. The director is the type to drown himself in a carpool and he made the flick for likeminded people".[8] Andhra Today wrote "The movie's grand title purports more in its name than the actual substance it delivers much to the disappointment of the audience. Although Balakrishna gets a role to match his image, the story and screen-play do not measure up to the grandiose title. The story appears even unrelated at places. The director seems to be under the impression that the audience can be floored by the action sequences and scenic picturization of songs".[9] Telugu Cinema wrote "Director Ramprasad has proved that his earlier hit Chirunavvutho made it to the box office, thanks to dialogues, but not because of direction. In Seema Simham there is nothing like direction but for facilitating some rotten scenes in an outdated screenplay to force the story ahead".[10]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Seema Simham

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Seema Simham (transl. Lion from ) is a 2002 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by G. Ram Prasad. The film was produced by J. Bhagawan and under the Sri Balaji Art Creations banner. It stars in the lead role as Durga Prasad, alongside and as the female leads, with supporting roles played by and . The music was composed by , with the screenplay written by the . Released on 11 January 2002, the film runs for approximately 155 minutes and centers on themes of friendship, betrayal, and revenge in the region. The story revolves around two childhood friends, Dhanunjaya Rao () and Chandra Sekhar (), who become bitter enemies due to a tragic incident involving their sons, leading to a cycle of vengeance that draws in the protagonist Durga Prasad. Durga Prasad, a fearless and heroic figure, gets entangled in the conflict after being hired for a hit, only to uncover deeper family ties and moral dilemmas. The narrative explores intense action sequences, familial bonds, and regional factionalism typical of Telugu masala films. Upon release, Seema Simham received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Balakrishna's commanding performance and the action choreography but criticized the convoluted plot and routine storyline. It holds an average rating of 3.7 out of 10 on based on user votes. Commercially, the film was a commercial failure at the , despite opening strongly due to Balakrishna's star power. The movie was later dubbed in Tamil as Oh Podu.

Overview

Plot

Visweswara Rao, a wealthy , and Chandra Sekhar, a dedicated , share a deep friendship, each naming their infant son after the other. Their bond is tested when Chandra Sekhar arrests a notorious goon, prompting the criminal's henchmen to kidnap Visweswara Rao's son as leverage for the goon's release. Prioritizing his professional promotion and reward money over the immediate exchange, Chandra Sekhar delays, resulting in the goons killing the child in retaliation. Devastated, Visweswara Rao's wife suffers paralysis from the shock, fueling his rage and transforming their friendship into a bitter feud driven by revenge. To exact vengeance, Visweswara Rao hires Durga Prasad, a fearsome figure from known for his sense of justice and brutality against oppressors but actually an IPS officer on special duty, to assassinate Chandra Sekhar's son, Simha Prasad. Durga Prasad infiltrates the , completes the killing, and cures Visweswara Rao's paralyzed through his actions, deepening the magnate's trust in him. However, Durga Prasad develops a romantic attachment to Hema, Chandra Sekhar's daughter, who reciprocates despite her parents' opposition to the union due to his reputed criminal reputation. Complicating matters further, Visweswara Rao's niece, , also falls for Prasad, prompting the magnate to plan his adoption into the family and a to her. A flashback reveals Prasad's origins as an IPS officer in a village, where he battles corrupt politicians and their goons; there, Hema defies her family to support him, only for it to emerge that he was not raised by his biological parents. The narrative's pivotal twist uncovers a profound family secret: Durga Prasad is Chandra Sekhar's true biological son, swapped at birth with Visweswara Rao's child due to a hospital mix-up, explaining the mistaken identities at the feud's core—the killed child being Visweswara Rao's biological son. This revelation ignites emotional turmoil, as Durga Prasad grapples with his heritage amid escalating conflicts with remaining antagonists. In the climactic confrontations, Durga Prasad defeats the villains threatening both families, leveraging his skills to protect his newfound kin. The truth fosters redemption and , with Visweswara Rao forgiving Chandra Sekhar and their friendship renewed. The story concludes with familial unity, as Durga Prasad marries Hema, symbolizing themes of , , and ultimate .

Principal Cast

The lead role of Durga Prasad, an IPS officer who poses as a rowdy and accepts a assignment, is played by in a portrayal that highlights his versatility in action and dramatic roles. portrays Hema, the love interest serving as the emotional anchor who softens the protagonist's aggression. appears as Charulatha (and the infant character Baby), the other female lead and niece of a key , bringing glamour to her role.

Supporting Cast

ActorRoleDescription
RaghuvaranVisweswara RaoA and central figure in the .
Charan RajChandra SekharA and best friend to Visweswara Rao, providing contrast in the supporting dynamics.
Sai KumarSimha PrasadPlays the son of Chandra Sekhar, central to the family revenge motif.
K. ViswanathSimha Prasad RaoThe grandfather character, adding depth to the familial .
AnandrajUnspecified Contributes to the action-oriented supporting cast.
Chalapati RaoUnspecifiedPart of the in key supporting functions.
The film features additional comedic and supporting roles by actors such as for humor, , , and , enhancing the ensemble's diversity without overshadowing the principal cast.

Production

Development

Seema Simham was directed by G. Ram Prasad. The screenplay was written by the based on a story by Chinni Krishna, who also wrote the dialogues. The narrative revolves around an action-drama centered on revenge and interpersonal conflicts set against the backdrop of Rayalaseema factionalism, drawing from the region's cultural motifs of rivalry and honor. The film was produced by J. Bhagawan and under the banner of Sri Balaji Art Creations, a production house known for Telugu entertainers during the early . Initial announcements for the project emerged around 2001, capitalizing on the momentum from Nandamuri Balakrishna's recent hit , which featured similar faction-themed action elements. Balakrishna was selected for the lead role to leverage his established image as a mass hero in such genres. Key creative decisions included assembling a team suited to the high-energy action format, with composer brought on board to deliver the soundtrack, and the contributing punchy dialogues typical of Telugu commercial cinema. These choices aimed to blend intense drama with crowd-pleasing sequences, aligning with the era's popular mass entertainer formula.

Filming

for Seema Simham commenced in early and extended over several months, with the production team capturing the majority of scenes in various locations across before wrapping up abroad. The shoot included a weeklong schedule in to film key sequences, alongside rural and urban settings in Hyderabad and Ahobillam near . Three song sequences featuring lead actors , , and were filmed in exotic locales of , adding visual flair to the musical numbers. Action choreography was handled by stunt director , tailoring sequences to Balakrishna's dynamic style, such as a high-risk 40-foot jump from a flyover in Hyderabad and a helicopter stunt near the Sri Swamy temple in Ahobillam. Cinematography was led by V. S. R. Swamy, who captured the film's energetic fight scenes and rural backdrops effectively. No major delays were reported during the principal shoot, which progressed steadily to near completion by late 2001. , including editing by , involved minimal visual effects, focusing primarily on assembling the raw footage for a timely release.

Soundtrack

Composition

Mani Sharma, a prominent in renowned for his energetic and mass-appealing scores that often incorporate folk influences and rhythmic intensity suitable for action-oriented narratives, provided the music for Seema Simham. His approach for the film emphasized blending upbeat melodies with dramatic undertones to complement the action-romance genre, resulting in six songs tailored to enhance the story's heroic and emotional arcs. The lyrics for the soundtrack were written by Bhuvana Chandra, Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry, Srinivas, and Chandrabose, focusing on themes of love, valor, and devotion that aligned with the film's tone. Recording took place in 2001, featuring playback singers including S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Shankar Mahadevan, K. S. Chithra, Udit Narayan, Swarnalatha, Mano, Radhika, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Hariharan, and Sujatha, whose versatile voices added depth to the compositions. For instance, Balasubrahmanyam's rendition in "Koka Raika" captured the song's playful yet intense spirit, while duets like Hariharan and Sujatha's "Chandamama Chandamama" highlighted romantic elements. The audio cassette was released by on 26 December 2001 at Taj Banjara in Hyderabad, marking a significant pre-release event that generated buzz for the film's 2002 debut. The function featured live performances and speeches from the cast and , underscoring Sharma's role in elevating the project's commercial appeal. Sharma's background score further amplified the film's action sequences, employing orchestral swells and percussion-driven rhythms to build tension and heroism, particularly in fight scenes where it underscored the protagonist's valor without overpowering the narrative. This orchestration drew praise for its synchronization with the visuals, contributing to the overall mass entertainer vibe.

Track listing

The soundtrack album of Seema Simham, composed by and released by , features six tracks with a total duration of 29:54.
No.TitleSingersLengthLyrics
1Pori HusharuMano, Radhika4:51Srinivas
2Chandamama ChandamamaHariharan, 4:56
3Rendu Jalla Paapa, 4:08
4Koka Raika, Kavita Krishnamurthy5:24
5Avva Buvva, 5:29Srinivas
6Manchi Thanam5:06Chandrabose

Release

Theatrical

Seema Simham was released theatrically on 11 January 2002 in , timed to coincide with the festival season to capitalize on the Telugu audience's holiday viewing traditions. The film received a U certification from the , suitable for all audiences. The distribution was managed by the production banner Sri Balaji Art Creations, which arranged a wide release across theaters in , targeting major urban and rural centers in the Telugu-speaking regions. No major dubbed versions were released simultaneously in other languages, keeping the initial rollout focused on the original Telugu print. Prior to the , promotional activities included an audio launch function, where the was unveiled to generate buzz, with event photographs capturing the attendance of key cast and crew members. efforts featured posters and trailers that prominently showcased Nandamuri Balakrishna's action-hero persona, highlighting high-octane fight sequences and his commanding screen presence to appeal to fans of mass entertainers.

Home media

The film was released on DVD by Sri Balaji Video shortly after its theatrical run, in 2002. Seema Simham has been broadcast on Telugu television channels, including multiple airings on , such as in October 2021, November 2024, and September 2025. As of November 2025, the film is available for streaming on , and to rent or buy on . Full versions are also accessible on via channels like TeluguOne. No special editions or re-releases have been documented.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release in , Seema Simham garnered mixed reviews from critics, with praise centered on Nandamuri Balakrishna's commanding presence in action sequences and mass-appeal dialogues, but widespread criticism for its weak and predictable plot. Idlebrain reviewer Jeevi awarded the film a rating of 3 out of 5, noting that it starts with illogical sequences and features a dragging first half that feels disjointed, as if combining two separate stories with different heroines, ultimately leading to a disappointing second half marked by an ordinary flashback and weak climax. The direction by G. Ram Prasad received commendation for occasional brilliant scenes and effective execution in patches, yet was faulted overall for lacking punch, cohesive narration, and logic, resulting in a dull and confusing experience exacerbated by too many underdeveloped characters. A harsher verdict came from Full Hyderabad, which dismissed the film as "unadulterated crap" tailored strictly for audiences favoring crude, violence-heavy resolutions to conflicts without depth. Critiques of performances highlighted Balakrishna's strengths in delivering applause-worthy dialogues and embodying hero, though his characterization was deemed underdeveloped; Simran was lauded for her excellent emotive portrayal in the second half, while Reema Sen's role was criticized as routine and underutilized, serving primarily as a glamour element in the first half, and the supporting cast, including and , appeared wasted amid the script's flaws. On the technical front, Mani Sharma's soundtrack was viewed as below his established standards—lacking the impact of prior works like Samara Simha Reddy—though the song "Chandamama" and its dance sequence, inspired by Rajinikanth's Basha, stood out positively; cinematography by VSR Swamy was considered average, contributing to the film's rich visual scale in crowd scenes but failing to elevate the narrative.

Box office

Seema Simham opened to strong initial reception during its Sankranti release on 11 January 2002, drawing terrific crowds particularly in select regions of Andhra Pradesh. However, the film's performance waned in subsequent weeks, especially in urban centers, leading to weaker overall collections compared to expectations set by lead actor Nandamuri Balakrishna's popularity. Industry analyst Idlebrain classified Seema Simham as a flop, noting its inability to sustain momentum amid a competitive slate dominated by a few blockbusters like and Aadi. With 17 out of the year's 111 Telugu releases achieving hit or better status, the film fell into the majority flop category, underperforming relative to its high-profile positioning. Regional breakdowns highlighted stronger shares in rural areas, such as a record first-week distributor share in , while urban markets like Hyderabad showed limited traction; overseas earnings were not prominently reported. In comparative context, it ranked as a mid-tier performer among Telugu films, overshadowed by competition from multi-starrer action dramas.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seema_simham
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1583363/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1583363/fullcredits/
  4. https://www.sunnxt.com/telugu-movie-seema-simham-2002/detail/10986
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1583363/plotsummary/
  6. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mrg-seemasimham.html
  7. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-seemasimham.html
  8. https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/seema-simham.html
  9. https://letterboxd.com/film/seema-simham/
  10. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seema_simham/cast-and-crew
  11. https://www.scribd.com/document/218949454/Seema-Simham-Film
  12. https://www.moviebuff.com/seema-simham
  13. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/coming/balajiarts.html
  14. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788886/
  15. https://moviegq.com/movie/seema-simham-8133/songs
  16. https://music.apple.com/us/album/seemasimham-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/928308726
  17. https://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/ckraudio.html
  18. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/seemasimham/llSJ49G9TFQ_
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXIyil3nQH0
  20. https://music.apple.com/in/album/seemasimham-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/928308726
  21. https://www.businessoftollywood.com/sankranthi-2002-telugu-movie-releases/
  22. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/280330-seema-simham/releases?language=en-US
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1583363/companycredits/
  24. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/photogallery/seemasimhamaudio.html
  25. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/photogallery/posters/seemasimhamposter8.html
  26. https://www.njmtv.com/balakrishna_seema-simham-telugu-dvd_bala-krishna-simran-riman-sen-5903.html
  27. https://www.facebook.com/geminimovies/videos/seema-simham-1pm/932617660666698/
  28. https://www.instagram.com/p/DCRcLtiMcHy/?hl=en
  29. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOnOX_-CfGl/
  30. https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/seema-simham
  31. https://www.amazon.com/Seema-Simham-Bala-Krishna/dp/B08LZYLQXT
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLJ_kVuiDC4
  33. https://movies.fullhyderabad.com/seemasimham/telugu/seemasimham-movie-reviews-1322-2.html
  34. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/2002special/movielist.html
  35. https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/2002special/hitsof2002.html
  36. https://www.nandamurifans.com/forum/index.php?/topic/25490-seema-simham-boxoffice/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.