Name any Telugu film based on faction feud background, whether it is related to Rayalaseema or Palnadu, all the main characters invariably carry the “Reddy” tag, as somehow, an impression is created among the people that all the factionists are Reddys, if not all Reddys are factionists.
Interestingly, even the hero characters in such films carry this Reddy suffix as it sells among the audiences. If “Reddy” is there in the film title, it is all the more attractive to the audiences.
Senior actor and Telugu Desam Party legislator from Hindupur assembly constituency Nandamuri Balakrishna’s films based on factionalism in the past also had the hero carrying Reddy tag and became superhits – whether it was Samarasimha Reddy or Chenna Kesava Reddy or Seema Simham.
So, there was no surprise when his forthcoming film has also been named as “Veera Simha Reddy,” which is also apparently based on Rayalaseema faction background.
In fact, there were reports that director Gopichand Malineni wanted to name this film – which is 107th film of Balakrishna – suggested the title “Reddy Garu” for the film and the senior actor, too, was in favour of it.
Sources, however, said Balakrishna’s brother-in-law and TDP boss N Chandrababu Naidu did not like the idea of having “Reddy” in the film title. He reportedly suggested to Balakrishna to consider dropping the word “Reddy” from the title.
Reason: One, Naidu doesn’t want Reddy community to be given heroic image, as he wants to project it as a dangerous caste, out to crush Kammas. Secondly, it might also lead to the impression that Balrishna, being a Kamma, is targeting the Reddy community, as the film naturally has political connotations.
So, the TDP chief reportedly requested Balakrishna to drop “Reddy” from the title at least, if not the character’s name. But Balakrishna brushed aside Naidu’s apprehensions on the ground that it has to be looked into in commercial lines.
So, he retained “Veera Simha Reddy” – though the title looks odd. In fact, there is no such thing called “Veera Simham” (valourous lion)– one can find words like Ugra Simham or Vijaya Simham etc. But Balakrishna’s word is final.
And he also has a penchant for the word “Simha” in the film titles, as all such films of Balakrishna with that word in their titles have ended up being huge blockbusters.
'Veera Simha Reddy' is scheduled to release worldwide for Sankranthi, 2023.
