“Barbarik is not a man, but a force”: Vasishta N Simha on his new film

Vasishta N Simha, who rose to fame with KGF and made his mark in Telugu cinema with films like Narappa and Salaar, speaks about his latest project Tribanadhari Barbarik, a unique blend of mythology and modern life.

From playing the ruthless Kamal in KGF that shot him to fame, to making his mark in Telugu films like Narappa, Nayeem Diaries, Odela Railway Station, and Salaar, Vasishta N Simha has steadily built a reputation for taking up powerful roles. Now, the actor is stepping into a very different space with Tribanadhari Barbarik, directed by Mohan Srivatsa and produced by Vijaypal Reddy Adidhala under Vanara Celluloid, with presentation by Maruthi. The film, which also stars Sathyaraj and Udaya Bhanu, releases on August 29.

In an exclusive conversation with Telangana Today, Vasishta opened up about what drew him to the project, the challenges during filming, and why he feels Barbarik has a universal appeal.
He says it was the freshness of the idea that caught his attention.

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“When I first heard the title Tribanadhari Barbarik, it felt new and exciting. Barbarik as a character isn’t widely known, which itself was interesting. The narration was strong, but when I saw how it was visually executed, it became even more impressive,” he shared.

Unlike his earlier negative roles, this film places him in a different mould. He plays a middle-class young man with big dreams, whose journey ties into the central theme of Barbarik. “In the story, Barbarik won’t be seen as a person but as a power that influences lives. That angle is what makes my character’s track unique,” he explained.

Talking about the ensemble cast, Vasishta was quick to highlight their contribution. “Sathyaraj sir plays Shyam Katu, his performance brings the warmth of a grandfather every family wishes for. Udaya Bhanu garu makes a strong comeback after many years. Satyam Rajesh, Sanchi Roy, Kranthi Kiran, and Meghana also have roles with great depth and connection to the theme,” he said.

The shoot, however, was far from easy. With multiple night schedules, rain sequences, and constant attention to detail, the team had to work hard to achieve the director’s vision. “Mohan worked tirelessly on the script and execution, and the cinematography team pushed themselves to capture every moment with precision. It was challenging, but worth it,” Vasishta recalled.

As for why audiences should watch it, he believes Tribanadhari Barbarik has something for everyone. “It is not a complete mythological film. It blends the theme of Barbarik into a modern-day story. The emotions and values it carries will connect with all; young or old, north or south. That is why I feel it will appeal to every section of the audience,” he said.

For an actor, who first became a household name with KGF, Tribanadhari Barbarik marks another milestone, a film that brings mythology and modern storytelling together in a way that feels both fresh and timeless.

Captain Saab x Team #Barbarik = Unlimited fun ❤️😄

▶️https://t.co/JaxDxCGNFS#WorthWatchBarbarik#BarbarikOnAugust29th #Tribanadhari #Vanaracelluloid #Tribanadharibarbarik pic.twitter.com/W7m49YIJ8K

— Telugu Film Producers Council (@tfpcin) August 26, 2025