Narasimma (film)
Encyclopedia
Narasimha is a 2001 Tamil action film directed by Thirupathisamy, which features Vijayakanth in the lead role. The film features an ensemble supporting cast including Isha Koppikar, Raghuvaran
, Nassar
and Sharat Saxena
, while the soundtrack for the film was composed by Mani Sharma
. The film released in July 2001 to mixed reviews.
, being selected. Due to the success of his previous two films and his work in Narasimha, the director was signed up to direct Velan with Vijay in the lead role too. However the director died before the release of the film after being a part of a car crash while returning home from an editing session - the producers of Narasimha later dedicated the film to him.
The film marked the debut of cinematographer Boopathy, who has since been a regular in Vijayakanth films. Lyrciist Pa. Vijay wrote his 100th song for the film.
newspaper, which praises the attempt claiming the "film has beautiful songs and dance, a touch of comedy, attractive costumes and above all a message which says that the country matters more than anything else". In regard to performances, the critic claims that Isha is "beautiful", Rahul Dev "impresses" and that Vijayakanth "has used his histrionic ability to do justice to the character". However the critic from Rediff called the film a "commercial confection" and concluded that the director "doesn't manage to put all the ingredients together in the right proportion." The film also dubbed and released in Telugu as Salute. The Indian Express concluded "the film, despite it’s dramatics and slick presentation, lacks a clear, solid screenplay, and among the numerous characters, not one is clearly etched."
Narasimha fared poorly at the box office and in 2006, Vijayakanth and co-producer Sudheesh, his brother-in-law, were engaged in a legal battle to compensate distributors due to the film's losses.
Raghuvaran
Raghuvaran was an Indian actor who predominantly acted in movies made in South India. He became famous for his portrayal of villain and character roles in Tamil films. He has acted in more than 150 Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films...
, Nassar
Nassar
Nassar is a Tamil actor, producer, writer, director, lyricist, and singer. He has appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English films. He is often cited as part of India's specialist character actors, along with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Nana Patekar...
and Sharat Saxena
Sharat Saxena
Sharat Saxena is an Indian actor working in Bollywood films. He has acted in nearly 160 Bollywood films.Saxena started his career in the early 70s and has mainly played either supporting roles of a father, uncle or villainous roles....
, while the soundtrack for the film was composed by Mani Sharma
Mani Sharma
Mani Sharma Yanamandra is a music director known for his works in Tollywood. He has composed music for over 140 films. He is popularly known as "Swara Brahma" for his contributions to music in Tollywood. Mani Sharma started his career as a music director in 1998. Before that Sharma used to work...
. The film released in July 2001 to mixed reviews.
Cast
- Vijayakanth as Narasimha
- Isha Koppikar as Vaanathi
- RaghuvaranRaghuvaranRaghuvaran was an Indian actor who predominantly acted in movies made in South India. He became famous for his portrayal of villain and character roles in Tamil films. He has acted in more than 150 Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films...
as Raana - NassarNassarNassar is a Tamil actor, producer, writer, director, lyricist, and singer. He has appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English films. He is often cited as part of India's specialist character actors, along with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Nana Patekar...
- RanjithRanjith (actor)Ranjith is a character artist who appears in Tamil, and Malayalam language films.- Career :Ranjith, had an impressive debut in Sindhu Nadhi Poo and gave a few hits thereafter. Introduced by R K Selvamani in Tamil, Ranjith had acted in several movies before making a foray to Malayalam...
as C. P. Sharma - Anantharaj
- Chandrasekar
- Rahul DevRahul DevRahul Dev is an Indian film actor and former model. Dev is known for his unconventional rugged looks and chiselled features and appearances in action films. He was meant to make his acting debut as the main villain in Mukul S. Anand's 1997 film Dus but the director's death while the film was still...
as Rasool Akthar - VadiveluVadiveluVadivelu , often referred to as Vadivel, is a Tamil film actor,comedian and playback singer. Since 2000, he has acted as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards...
as Lala - Radharavi as Manimaran
- Ramya KrishnanRamya KrishnanRamya Krishnan is an actress who performs in Indian cinema. She has acted in over 200 films in five languages; Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.-Early life and background:...
in a special appearance - Thalaivasal VijayThalaivasal VijayThalaivasal Vijay is a Tamil film actor. He is noted for his character roles, especially in R. Sukumaran's 2010 Malayalam film Yugapurushan as Narayana Guru...
- Venu ArvindVenu ArvindVenu Arvind is a Tamil television and film actor. He is known for his roles in K. Balachander's television serials and as the leading antagonist Ranga in the television soap Alaigal. He debuted as a director with the film Sabash Sariyaana Potti....
- Thyagu
- SrimanSriman (actor)Sriman is a character artist who appears in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films. He is primarily known for his prominent roles in Aayutha Ezhuthu, Panchathanthiram, Pokkiri and Aegan. He is the son of noted producer, Prakash Reddy.- Early life :Sriman was born in Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh...
- Kazhan Khan as Chinna Thamburan Iranyan
- Aadithyan as D'Souza
- Sharat SaxenaSharat SaxenaSharat Saxena is an Indian actor working in Bollywood films. He has acted in nearly 160 Bollywood films.Saxena started his career in the early 70s and has mainly played either supporting roles of a father, uncle or villainous roles....
as Shinde - N. F. VargheseN. F. VargheseN. F. Varghese was a Malayalam film actor. He began his career as a mimicry artist, acting in minor roles, but later he turned to strong villain roles. Akashadoothu was his major break through in career, which was his third film. He has acted in more than 100 films. He died at the age of 53 when...
- Ashok Kumar
- Kuyili
Production
The film was initially supposed to be directed by Maharajan of Vallarasu fame but due to a lack of dates, Vijayakanth had to opt for another director with Tirupathisamy, who directed the Telugu blockbuster AzadAzad (film)
Azad is a 2000 Telugu film directed by Tirupathi Swamy. It stars Akkineni Nagarjuna in the lead role and Raghuvaran, Shilpa Shetty, and Soundarya in other important roles. C. Ashwini Dutt produced the film and Mani Sharma composed music...
, being selected. Due to the success of his previous two films and his work in Narasimha, the director was signed up to direct Velan with Vijay in the lead role too. However the director died before the release of the film after being a part of a car crash while returning home from an editing session - the producers of Narasimha later dedicated the film to him.
The film marked the debut of cinematographer Boopathy, who has since been a regular in Vijayakanth films. Lyrciist Pa. Vijay wrote his 100th song for the film.
Release
The film won positive review from The HinduThe Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
newspaper, which praises the attempt claiming the "film has beautiful songs and dance, a touch of comedy, attractive costumes and above all a message which says that the country matters more than anything else". In regard to performances, the critic claims that Isha is "beautiful", Rahul Dev "impresses" and that Vijayakanth "has used his histrionic ability to do justice to the character". However the critic from Rediff called the film a "commercial confection" and concluded that the director "doesn't manage to put all the ingredients together in the right proportion." The film also dubbed and released in Telugu as Salute. The Indian Express concluded "the film, despite it’s dramatics and slick presentation, lacks a clear, solid screenplay, and among the numerous characters, not one is clearly etched."
Narasimha fared poorly at the box office and in 2006, Vijayakanth and co-producer Sudheesh, his brother-in-law, were engaged in a legal battle to compensate distributors due to the film's losses.