Simba (2019 film)

Simba is a 2019 Indian Tamil stoner comedy film, written and directed by Arvind Sridhar. The film features Bharath, Premgi Amaren, Swathi Deekshith and Bhanu Sri Mehra in the lead roles, while Ramana plays a supporting role. The film features music composed by Vishal Chandrasekhar. Simba is an experimental movie with a unique plot, with an average performance in the theaters, receiving mixed to poor reviews. . It is loosely based on the critically acclaimed Australian TV Series Wilfred.

Plot
Simba, which is billed as Tamil cinema's first stoner comedy, revolves around Mahesh (Bharath), a dopehead who leads a lonely life. It is this reason, the film tells us, that has turned him towards drugs - for instant dopamine hit. One Sunday, when Mahesh has taken a 'hit', his neighbour Madhu (Bhanu Sri Mehra) requests him to look after her pet Great Dane, Simba. To Mahesh, who is under the influence of the drug, Simba (Premgi Amaren) appears as a person. The rest of the film is all about how Mahesh bonds with Simba and how they try to make Madhu fall in love with him.

Cast

 * Bharath as Mahesh
 * Premgi Amaren as Simba
 * Bhanu Sri Mehra as Madhu
 * Swathi Deekshith
 * Ramana
 * Swetha Ashok

Production
Arvind Sridhar wrote a dark comedy script and signed on Bharath to appear in the lead role, as a youngster who acquires extra-sensory ability through some negative experiences. Actress Bhanu Sri Mehra was signed on to feature in the film and portray a journalist. Sridhar revealed that he based the script on a real life incident featuring his friend, who was a drug-taker, and spun a fictional story around his experiences. Bharath was initially hesitant about the financial viability of the script in the Tamil film industry but later chose to do the film. Produced by Magic Chair K.Sivaneswaran coordinated by Sathish during June 2015 and progressed across Chennai and Pondicherry. In October 2015, the team held discussion with actress Trisha about playing a cameo role in the film to promote animal welfare.

Although production was completed in 2016, the film was delayed as a result of post-production works and non-availability of screens. A teaser trailer was released in October 2017, while a second teaser was later released in October 2018. After a long delay, the film was released on 25 January 2019.

Soundtrack
A single track 'Pinjula Pinjula' sung by actor Silambarasan was released on 6 August 2016, before the release of the entire album.