Jayasimha (1955 film)

Jayasimha is a 1955 Indian Telugu-language swashbuckler film, written by Samudrala Jr. and produced by N. T. Rama Rao and his brother N. Trivikrama Rao for their production company National Art Theatres. Directed by D. Yoganand, the film features Rama Rao playing the eponymous protagonist along with Anjali Devi and Waheeda Rehman (making her debut as an actress in Indian cinema) in the lead roles, supported by an ensemble cast of S. V. Ranga Rao, Kanta Rao, Gummadi, Relangi and Rajanala Kaleswara Rao.

Inspired from the Telugu novel Veera Pooja, the film tells the story of Jayasimha (played by Rama Rao), the crown prince of Malawa kingdom who escapes assassination attempts from his uncle Rudrasimha (Ranga Rao), who wishes to ascend the throne as the next king. Jayasimha leaves Malawa assuming a new identity and leads the life of a soldier in Magadha kingdom, falling in love with its princess Padmini (Waheeda) and befriending Kalindi (Anjali Devi), the daughter of an old disabled general Ranadheer (Gummadi). The rest of the film focuses on the aftermath of Rudrasimha finding out Jayasimha's new life in Magadha and seeking his life.

D. V. S. Raju, who assisted Rama Rao during the production of Pichi Pullayya (1953) and Thodu Dongalu, joined the film's crew as an associate producer. T. V. Raju composed the film's soundtrack and score; M. A. Rehman was signed as the cinematographer and G. D. Joshi edited the film. Jayasimha principal photography was conducted at sets erected by Thota at Vijaya Vauhini Studios, Madras (now Chennai).

Jayasimha was released theatrically on 21 October 1955, cashing in on the Vijayadashami festival holidays. Upon release, the film was a commercial success, completing a 100-day run in 6 centres, 169-day run in Vijayawada and Guntur, and a 175-day run in Bangalore. It was later dubbed into Tamil in the same year, with the title Jayasimman.

Plot
The film begins in the Malwa kingdom, whose ruler Amarasimha, while ailing, entrusts Prince Jayasimha's liability to his sibling Rudrasimha & his benevolent wife, Durgadevi. However, the spiteful Rudrasimha always urges for the throne. Durgadevi raises Jayasimha under the light of love with her son Vijayasimha, who is devoted to his brother. Years pass, Jay & Vijay turn into gallants, and it is time to crown him. It begrudges Rudrasimha, who ruses to assassinate Jayasimha. Being conscious of it, Jayasimha silently quits the Kingdom, surrendering it to his uncle. Yet, Rudrasimha commissions his henchman Chandrasena, determining that no enemy should be left. Vijay learns of his father's plot and walks to shield his brother.

Meanwhile, in the forest of the Magadha kingdom, Jayasimha secures Princess Padmini from the dacoits when they crush. He is introduced as Bhavani Prasad and moves into their Kingdom. Therein, an old disabled general, Ranadheer, shelters him and befriends his son Budhimathi, & daughter Kalindi. Currently, their country is facing a gigantic battle with bandits' rebellion, who captured Emperor Raghuveer. Jayasimha proceeds to the fortress; with the aid of Padmini, he enrolls in the army and safeguards the King. Ergo, he has given with the great honor of a satrap. Here, the commander-in-chief, Mahaveer, is enraged at Jayasimha's big hit and Pamini's endearment towards him. Parallelly, Kalindi also falls for Jayasimha and, thus, creates a rift between him & Padmini to win her love. Later, she regrets that Jayasimha considers her a sibling.

Chandrasena then tracks down Jayasimha's whereabouts, who mingles with Mahaveer and abducts him with Padmini. Kalindi follows the duo and safeguards them by sacrificing her life. Besides, Mahaveer forcibly conspires to knit Padmini when Jayasimha assaults him. Unfortunately, the miscreants capture Jaya Simha when a man with a veil protects them, and Jayasimha kills Mahaveer. Now, Rudrasimha is about to onset on Magadha when Durgadevi bars him, but he deafens his ears by shooting her down. Jayasimha alone enters the battlefield and bows his head before his uncle. On the verge of Rudrasimha slaying him, the man in the veil stabs him. As a flabbergast, he uncovers him as Vijayasimha. At last, remorseful Rudrasimha pleads pardon from Jay & Vijay. Finally, the movie ends happily with Jayasimha's crowing ceremony.

Cast

 * Anjali Devi as Kalindi
 * N. T. Rama Rao as Jayasimha / Bhavani
 * Waheeda Rehman as Padmini
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as Rudrasimha
 * Relangi as Budhimathi
 * Gummadi as Ranadheer
 * Kanta Rao as Vijayasimha
 * Rajanala Kaleswara Rao as Mahaveer
 * K. V. S. Sarma as Chandasena
 * Dr. Kamaraju as Raghuveer
 * Vangara Venkata Subbaiah as Prime Minister of Magadha kingdom
 * Rushyendramani as Madhavi
 * Valluri Balakrishna as a soldier in Magadha army
 * Padmanabham as a soldier in Magadha army
 * Kusalakumari dancer

Production
N. T. Rama Rao was depressed because of the commercial failure of his previous film Thodu Dongalu (1954), which he produced along with his brother N. Trivikrama Rao and Atluri Pundarikakshayya. The failure prompted Rama Rao to contemplate quitting film production, until Trivikrama Rao and Pundarikakshayya convinced him to try making a swashbuckler film rooted in folklore. The financial success of Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Chandirani (1953) and Rechukka (1954)—all starring Rama Rao in the lead role and set in the same genre—further influenced their decision. Most of the principal crew of Thodu Dongalu, including its director D. Yoganand and writer Samudrala Jr., were retained for this film. Rama Rao advised Samudrala Jr. to loosely adapt the novel Veera Pooja. However, the same was not acknowledged in the film's credits.

The film was titled Jayasimha and was produced for Rama Rao's production company National Art Theatre. While Rama Rao decided to play the eponymous protagonist, Anjali Devi and Waheeda Rehman were cast as the female leads Kalindi and Padmini respectively. Jayasimha was Waheeda's debut as an actress, after her cameo appearances in Kanyadanam (1954) and Rojulu Marayi (1955); she was trained by Pundarikakshayya himself and her lines were dubbed by Sowcar Janaki. For the role of Vijayasimha, Jayasimha's brother, the makers approached Akkineni Nageswara Rao who could not accept the offer because of scheduling conflicts. Jaggayya was considered, but Gummadi (who was cast as Ranadheer, Kalindi's father) recommended Kanta Rao for the role. Rama Rao agreed, and this was Kanta Rao's second collaboration with the former after Vaddante Dabbu (1954). S. V. Ranga Rao, Rajanala Kaleswara Rao and Relangi were cast in key supporting roles. Anjali Devi was given the top billing in the film's opening credits and the song books, and was succeeded by Rama Rao and Ranga Rao.

D. V. S. Raju, who assisted Rama Rao during the production of Pichi Pullayya (1953) and Thodu Dongalu, joined the film's crew as an associate producer. M. A. Rehman was signed as the cinematographer and G. D. Joshi edited the film. Jayasimha was shot in sets erected by Thota at Vijaya Vauhini Studios, Madras (now Chennai). Principal photography commenced on 19 January 1955 with a sequence filmed on Rama Rao and Relangi at Vauhini Studios, Madras. 'Stunt' Somu choreographed the action sequences. Kuchala Kumari and Rita composed the choreography for the dance sequences. The post-production activities were carried out at Vijaya Laboratories in Madras.

Music
T. V. Raju composed the film's soundtrack and score, with lyrics written by Samudrala Jr., which was marketed by HMV Records. Satyam, who was known as 'Dholak' Satyam back then, assisted Raju during the composition of the songs. A. Krishnan was the film's audiographer, assisted by A. R. Swaminathan, C. Radhababu and V. Govinda Rao. On Satyam's advice, Raju decided to look for inspiration in Hindustani classical music. For the song "Eenati Eehayi", Raju took inspiration from Ghulam Mohammed composition "Zindagi Denewale Sun" for Dil-E-Nadaan (1953). Similarly, for the pallavi of the song "Manasaina Cheli Pilupu", Raju used the tune of "Chori Chori Aag Se" composed by Shyam Sundar for Dholak (1951). Raju deviated from the tune of the originals, however, while composing the charanam for these songs. Another song "Are Nee Sagamapa" was adapted from a Hindi language composition of the same name written by Alla Rakha for Sabak (1950).

The song "Nadireyi Gadichene", filmed on Waheeda, was composed as a javali using the Begada raga. The duet "Madiloni Madhurabhavam", filmed on Rama Rao and Waheeda, was composed using the Mohanam raga. Raju composed the song "Nadiyeti Painadachu" in a Burra katha format which was well received by the critics. The soundtrack, consisting of 12 songs, was released on 31 December 1955 and received positive reviews. The song "Jaya Jaya Sri Rama" particularly gained popularity during the film's release and was played regularly in temples dedicated to Rama in Andhra Pradesh.

Release and reception
Jayasimha was released theatrically on 21 October 1955, cashing in on the Vijayadashami festival holidays. National Art Theatre released the film on their own across Andhra Pradesh, while the distribution rights for Nizam, Ceeded and Mysore regions were acquired by All India Talkie Distributors. Upon release, the film was a commercial success, completing a 100-day run in 6 centres, 169-day run in Vijayawada and Guntur, and a 175-day run in Bangalore. Jayasimha was later dubbed into Tamil the same year with the title Jayasimman.