Nandamuri Balakrishna Turns 60: 5 Must-Watch Actioners of Tollywood's 'Nata Simham'

Popular Telugu actor and 2-time MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) of Hindupur, Nandamuri Balakrishna is celebrating his 60th birthday on Wednesday (June 10) and fans have already geared up to celebrate the occasion on social media by trending photos, videos and hashtags of the senior hero. After enjoying an illustrious film career spanning for nearly five decades, Balayya Babu is still a reliable force at the box-office as he continues to satisfy the front-benches with his impeccable dialogue-delivery, convincing emoting skills, high-voltage action stuff and dazzling dance moves. He caters to a wide range of audience barring age factor and is considered as a demigod among the masses in the Telugu states.

Despite having a truckload of hit films in his armoury, Balakrishna’s stardom and box-office potential roused to astounding levels with the 1999 faction-drama ‘Samarasimha Reddy’. Following up with blockbusters like ‘Narasimha Naidu’ and ‘Chennakesava Reddy’, he went on to garner massive fame and popularity especially in the towns & hinterlands of Rayalaseema. Check out the 5 must-watch actioners of this Nata Simham of Tollywood.

Like most of Balakrishna’s films, Legend portrayed the veteran actor in dual roles (a young NRI living in Dubai and Jai Dev who is the titular character). Packed with all commercial ingredients, the high-voltage actioner directed by Boyapati Sreenu registered a phenomenal success at the ticket counters with praises to the power-packed performances of Balayya and Jagapathi Babu. Both the veteran warhorses were brutal on the silver screen and it’s their hero-villain equation that stole the thunder and attracted the masses into the theaters.

Directed by B Gopal, Samarasimha Reddy paved the way for faction-themed films in Telugu cinema. Starring Balakrishna in two contrast roles, the 1999 action-drama featured two bombshells, Simran and Anjala Zaveri, displaying their glamour and dancing to the foot-tapping tunes composed by Mani Sharma. With an emotional storyline, riveting dialogues, thumping background score and striking action choreography, the film was termed as a trendsetter in Tollywood and achieved a cult status over the years. It also affirmed Balayya as a trademark for faction leaders in Telugu cinema and shattered all existing records at the box-office.

Released in 2010, this maiden collaboration between Balakrishna and Boyapati Sreenu turned out to become one among the highest-grossing films in the Telugu film industry. Starring Nayanthara and Sneha Ullal as the leading ladies, the action-drama showcased the Nandamuri scion in the ferocious role of a medico who hacks callous criminals. Along with the whistle-worthy dialogues, the flashback episode and well-choreographed action sequences have worked well for Simha at the ticket counters. The film gave Balayya a much-needed hit after five long years.

Though the faction drama ended up as an average grosser at the box-office, it managed to satisfy the masses with a compelling revenge plot, hard-hitting dialogues and riveting action sequences. Showcasing the Nandamuri Natasimham in dual roles, the VV Vinayak directorial featured the ravishing Tabu and gorgeous Shriya Saran as the leading ladies. Among the major highlights was the chasing episode where nine jeeps jump into the air from the ground giving goosebumps to the audience. After ‘Chennakesava Reddy’, Balakrishna returned to the faction fold with ‘Simha’ and continued it with ‘Legend’.

Repeating the successful combo of Balakrishna and B Gopal, ‘Narasimha Naidu’ scored an astounding victory at the ticket counters and surpassed all the existing box-office records. Starring three heroines in the form of Simran, Preeti Jhangiani and Asha Saini, the vigilante faction film released to an overwhelming response from the viewers and turned out to be an industry hit. All songs composed by Mani Sharma turned out to become instant chartbusters and the BGM was terrific. Besides delivering a power-packed performance, Balayya stole the show completely with his flawless emoting skills during sentiment sequences.