After their successful "Allari Ramudu", NTR Jr. has once again teamed up with hit filmmaker B. Gopal for "Narasimhudu". Unfortunately their latest presentation turns out to be a damp squib.

"Narasimhudu", a remake of the Kannada hit "Durgi", lacks novelty in plot as well as in treatment.

It is surprising that the actor-director duo opted for this outdated theme, offering only some action scenes and glamorous songs for even the most diehard fans of NTR Jr.

He displays, once again, his dancing skills (particularly in the first song sequence). But his punch lines go in vain due to a contrived plot.

Sameera Reddy announces her arrival by oozing glamour. Playing a Keralite, she displays considerable oomph in song sequences. Amisha Patel is wasted in a poorly etched role. Her performance as a village belle may not spell her comeback to the Telugu screen after her earlier flop "Naani".

The less said about Brahmanandam's pedestrian comedy, the better. Baddie Kalabhavan Mani looks menacing while Rahul Dev and Punit Issar are adequate.

Mani Sharma has composed two hummable numbers - "Cumma Cuma" and "Rajamudrike" - but the other tunes fall flat. Action director Vijay impresses with well-choreographed stunts.

Producer and former legislator C. Venkat Rao has spent lavishly without realising the limited potential of the plot. The film's release was postponed due to financial constraints. But, after seeing the response, Rao might have felt that the film should have remained in the cans.

The story begins with NTR Jr.'s parents sacrificing their lives for the sake of their village and the grateful residents taking up the responsibility of bringing him up.

The peace-loving NTR Jr. helps the villagers and wins their admiration. Sameera Reddy falls in love with him. But his life takes a new turn when he sets out to avenge the death of a minor girl. He begins with the murder of a doctor and reaches the city in search of other villains. You have to watch the film for the rest.