Samba (2004)

Cast: NTR, Bhumika Chawla, Genelia, Prakash Raj, Vijay Kumar, Tanikella Bharani, Chalapati Rao, Ahuti Prasad, Mansoor Ali Khan, Hemanth Ravan, GV, Jessy Singh, Ali, Venu Madhav, LB Sriram, Krishna Bhagavan, Malladi Raghava, Prasanna Kumar, Brahmaji, Subbaraju, Nutan Kumar, Sameer, Master Teja, Vijay, Sitara, Sukanya, Sukumari, Vijaya Singh, Pragati, Kalyani, Shirmili, Saraswatamma, Reshmi, Baby Greeshma, Baby Abhinaya
Story: GS Rao
Dialogues: Kona Venkat
Cinematography: K Ravindra Babu
Music: Mani Sharma
Art: Srinivasa Raju
Fights: Vijay
Editing: Gowtam Raju
Lyrics: Bhuvana Chandra, Chandra Bose, Sahiti & Suddala Ashok Teja
Choreography: Prabhudeva, Lawrence, Raja Sekhar, Ashok Raj
Executive producer: Arikepudi Sivaji
Producer: Kodali Nani
Screenplay - direction: VV Vinayak

Image is a strange thing. It is the strength of an actor. It is also his weakness. NTR Jr is a mass hero and his films cater to a diverse cross-section. That is his strength. But this also limits his range as far as his acting goes. He cannot be seen other than in larger-than-life roles.

Kodali Movies Private Limiteds Samba, starring him and the petite Bhumika and Genelia, in the lead, is a good example of that.

The film, produced by Kodali Nani and directed by V.V.Vinayak, will be that umbrella term used by industrymen for potboilers - mass entertainer.

In that, Sambha will be everything without exactly being one. The director Vinayak has said that the film will have robust action scenes, family sentiments and a lot of cute romance sequences. The director has said that it a love film with dollops of everything. The two heroine, one hero, one villain story almost plays itself out. The story line is not difficult to guess. The film is important for NTR Jr, as it is coming after the debacle of Andhrawala. NTR Jr, an earnest trier, is said to have put his best foot forward in this film. With Prabhu Deva as the chief choreographer he better had to. The song and dances are said to be the major highlights of this film. NTR Jr himself brings to his dances the same kind of energy that he puts to his action shots.

The music of Mani Sharma is said to have the right tonal mix to keep the audiences dancing in the aisle. NTR Jr does not believe that the story is run-of-the-mill. Like all heroes he says it id different. And we believe him. It is a commercial, mass film with a strong dose of social message, he adds.

The cast also has Vijay Kumar, Tanikella Bharani, Chalapati Rao, Ahuti Prasad, Mansoor Ali Khan, Hemanth Ravan, GV, Jessy Singh, Ali, Venu Madhav, LB Sriram, and Krishna Bhagavan. Kona Venkat has written the dialogues, Mani Sharma the music, camera is by K.Ravindra Babu and choreography is by Prabhudeva, Lawrence, Raja Sekhar, Ashok Raj.

The story line (?) is such that the film banks heavily on the heroes mass appeal. NTR Jr does not flag at any point. Despite his over plumpness, NTR Jr is fulsome in whatever he does. He never flags. In dance. In action. In emotion. In everything. He gives off his best. He knows the film revolves around him and carries the burden manfully.

Prakash Raj as the main villain tends to go over the top in many places. He has his moments but he also gives the impression of being too stylized and can be accused of hamming at several places. His role also ---- a cardboard caricature --- also lets him down very badly. The other small villain Mansur Ali Khan (as the hideously named McDowell Mani) is eminently forgettable.

In such films, the heroines have very little to do and so it is with Genilia and Bhumika (each nicely hived off into each half). Both look good and add the requisite glamour. Acting? Well, look out for that in their next film.

Venu Madhav and Krishna Bhagawan provide some light-hearted mirth.