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
Amarasimha, the ruler of Malawa kingdom, calls his brother Rudrasimha and his wife Durgadevi. In his dying moments, Amarasimha requests the couple to raise his son Jayasimha and make him the king after he attains suitable age. Durgadevi raises Jayasimha and her biological son Vijayasimha with equal love and attention. As Jayasimha becomes a major, Durgadevi and Vijayasimha announce the coronation ceremony. However, Rudrasimha wants to ascend the throne, and supported by the evil commander-in-chief Chandasena, sends a group of assassins to kill Jayasimha. Jayasimha and Vijayasimha overpower them, but are unable to find the person behind the attack. Jayasimha later learns about Rudrasimha's plans, but decides to spare his life for Durgadevi. Dejected, Jayasimha leaves the kingdom forever, making Rudrasimha the king.
As Durgadevi and Vijayasimha search for Jayasimha, Rudrasimha too joins them as he does not want any possibility of obstacles for his rule. Meanwhile, Jayasimha reaches the forests of the Magadha kingdom where its princess Padmini is found kidnapped by a group of dacoits. Jayasimha saves her from them, but refuses to accept her hospitality and leaves. Padmini falls in love with him and continues to search for him. In his attempts to find a job, Jayasimha befriends Budhimathi, the adopted son of an old disabled general Ranadheer and his daughter Kalindi. He introduces himself with the alias Bhavani to them, and looks for opportunities in the Magadha army. After being rejected and insulted by the ministers, Padmini notices Jayasimha and sends a ring through one of her friends, asking him to use it for gaining an army job.
Jayasimha gains the job, and saves the king Raghuveer in an attack from the enemies. Raghuveer is impressed with Jayasimha's skills and promotes him. Later, Padmini and Jayasimha begin to spend more time together, and develop feelings for each other. This angers Mahaveer, the commander-in-chief of Magadha, who too has an interest in Padmini. At the same time, Kalindi proposes to Jayasimha, which puts him in a dilemma. Meanwhile, Rudrasimha learns about the adventures of Bhavani in Magadha, and sends Chandasena to confirm if Bhavani is Jayasimha. Chandasena reaches Magadha, identifies Bhavani and Jayasimha, and plots with Mahaveer. Chandasena and Mahaveer kidnap Jayasimha and Padmini, and take them to an isolated place. Mahaveer plans to forcibly marry Padmini after finishing off Jayasimha. Kalindi, who was following the duo all this time, acts as a mad women before the army and infiltrates their camp.