''Simha Baludu'' () is a 1978 Indian

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

-language swashbuckler film written and directed by

K. Raghavendra Rao Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao (born 23 May 1942) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema besides having directed a few Hindi films. He has garnered four state Nandi Awards and fiv ...

from a story by

D. V. Narasa Raju D.V. Narasaraju or Datla Venkata Narasaraju (Telugu language, Telugu: డి.వి.నరసరాజు) (15 July 1920 – 28 August 2006) was a writer and director of South India films and playwright. He wrote stories such as Gundamma Katha, ...

. It stars

N. T. Rama Rao Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996), often referred to by his initials NTR, was an Indian actor, filmmaker and politician who served as List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh fo ...

and

Vanisri Vanisri (born Rathna Kumari) is an Indian actress known for her works predominantly in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada films. In a film career spanning 40 years, she has received three Filmfare Awards South, the Nandi Awards and the Tamil Nadu S ...

, with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The film was released on 11 August 1978 to negative reviews and despite the grand opening ended up as a

box-office bomb A box-office bomb, or box-office disaster, is a film that is unprofitable or considered highly unsuccessful during its theatrical run. Although any film for which the production, marketing, and distribution costs combined exceed the revenue after ...

Plot

Once upon on time, there was a kingdom ruled by a callow King. Raghunath Nayaka its chief commander dedicated his life to the dynasty and gets retired. Presently, he endorses authority to Gajapathi malice who exploits the innocence of the King and starts harassing the public. Rajendra is a young, dynamic, energetic guy who aims to thwart this monarchy and establish democracy. Meanwhile, the king's daughter Princess Vani wanders around in different attires to live as a free bird. In that process, she gets acquainted with Rajendra and they fall in love. Once in the annual ceremony, competitions have been held, in which Rajendra triumphs over Gajapathi. The King offers facilitation but he denies it. Whereat, Raghupathi Nayaka feels that Rajendra is his absconded son who quit for the same differences. So, he backs and confirms he is his son. Meanwhile, Gajapathi proceeds to capture Rajendra, molests Seeta, whom Rajendra treats as his sister, and destroys the entire village. Engaged Rajendra onslaughts on the court to slay Gajapati but seized. As of now, the King entrusts Raghupathi Nayaka to give his verdict about punishment who ostracizes him to an island as a prisoner and he steps in. Rani Rana Chandi spiteful ruler therein subjects laborers to inhumane conditions and is treated them as slaves. She is allured to Rajendra but he does not yield. Eventually, Princess Vani visits there as the guest who aids Rajendra to destroy the fort and acquits the prisoners. Moreover, they establish an army and brings a revolution to the country. Being cognizant of it, Gajapati accuses Raghunath Nayaka of being a traitor which he is unable to bear, and moves to apprehend Rajendra. Hereupon, Raghunath Nayaka is undone and he pleads with Rajendra to slay him since he could not prevail as a traitor. So, Rajendra surrenders to prove his father’s integrity. By the time they reach the fort, Gajapathi backstabs the king and captures the kingdom. At last, Rajendra ceases the baddies. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the King making Rajendra the umpire who establishes the democratic government.

Cast

as Rajendra *

as Vani *

Rao Gopal Rao Raavu Gopala Rao (14 January 1937 – 13 August 1994) was an Indian actor and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema and Telugu theatre. In a film career spanning more than twenty five years, Rao starred in over four hundred feature film ...

as Maharaju * Satyanarayana as Raghunatha Nayakudu *

Mohan Babu Manchu Bhakthavatsalam, credited and also known as Mohan Babu, is an Indian actor and producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. An alumnus of the Madras Film Institute, Mohan Babu has acted in more than 500 films in lead, sup ...

as Gajapathi *Tyagaraju *

Mada Mada ( sa, मद) is a term used in both Hindu theology and mythology. It is one of the Arishadvargas. It refers to one of the six enemy of the mind or a vice according to the Hindu scriptures. It is the Hindu equivalent of Pride from the seve ...

as Govindu *

Sarathi Sarathi, also called Kadali Jaya Sarathi, (26 June 1942 – 1 August 2022) was an Indian comedic actor and producer in the Telugu film industry. His most notable roles are in ''Manavuri Pandavulu'', ''Bobilli Brahmanna'', ''Driver Ramudu'', ' ...

as Vikata Kavi *

P. J. Sarma Pudipeddi Jogeswara Sarma was an Indian film dubbing artist, turned actor and writer, known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He has worked for over 500 films as an actor and dubbing artist. He is the father of actors Sai Kumar (Ka ...

as Mahamantri *Kakarala *Jagga Rao * Anjali Devi as Bhagyam *

Rama Prabha Rama Prabha is an Indian actress who performs in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. She has acted in more than 1,400 films and is credited as a character artist who shared screen space with superstars across all generation of South Indian Cinem ...

Jayamalini Jayamalini (or Jaya Malini) is an Indian actress who has acted in more than 500 Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi movies. Career She was introduced to Tollywood in 1975 by Vittalacharya in the movie he produced, ''Aadadani Adrustam ...

as Rani Rana Chandi *Halam as

item number In Indian cinema, an item number or item song is a musical number inserted into a film that may or may not have any relevance to the plot. The term is commonly used within Indian films (Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, and ...

*Pallavi as Seeta

Soundtrack

Music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. Lyrics were written by

Veturi Veturi Sundararama Murthy (29 January 1936 – 22 May 2010), known mononymously by his surname Veturi, was an Indian poet, lyricist and journalist who is popular for writing Telugu songs. His career in the Telugu cinema spanned more than four de ...

References

External links

* {{K. Raghavendra Rao 1970s historical fantasy films 1970s Telugu-language films Films based on Indian folklore Films directed by K. Raghavendra Rao Films scored by M. S. Viswanathan Historical epic films Indian epic films Indian historical fantasy films Indian swashbuckler films