[3] The film stars Chiranjeevi in the title character, with an ensemble cast including Sudeepa, Vijay Sethupathi, Ravi Kishan, Jagapathi Babu, Nayanthara and Tamannaah Bhatia.

He defied death after being born still and coming to life, and is believed to be blessed by God with gifted abilities and has demonstrated athletic and acrobatic skills from a young age.

One day, a teenage Reddy rides past an execution conducted by the British, and his grandfather explains the predicament faced by villagers under the rule of the East India Company.

Cochrane sends a battalion of hundreds of men led by his man Daniel, all of whom are killed when Reddy and a group of civilians hold themselves down in a fort, using strategic traps to counter their technology.

[13] Touted to be mostly based on the life of Indian independence activist Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy from the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, the script was written by Paruchuri brothers, and was rumoured to cast Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, opposite Chiranjeevi, although her dates had not been finalised.

[59] On mid-May 2019, Anushka Shetty shot her cameo sequences for the film,[60] followed by a shoot of a special song featuring Nayanthara and Chiranjeevi in a customised set at Annapurna Studios.

Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, Anantha Sriram, Chandrabose, Swanand Kirkire, Madhan Karky, Azad Varadaraj, and Siju Thuravoor wrote the lyrics for the soundtrack in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam respectively.

"[73] Vipin of Musicaloud on reviewing the music of the film, gave 3 out of 5 stars and stated that "Amit Trivedi’s Telugu debut is pretty much along the lines of Baahubali – majestic in an expected way and partly comes across as dependent on the elaborate visuals to bolster its appeal.

She opined that the film follows the story of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, a palegaar from Kurnool who rebels against British oppression in the 1840s, inspired by his love for a classical dancer and the teachings of his guru.

While the film boasts a stellar cast and impressive technical elements, its screenplay lacks emotional depth and cohesion, ultimately making it a showcase for Chiranjeevi's commanding performance.

However, while the film boasts stunning visuals and engaging battle scenes, it takes significant liberties with historical accuracy, making it more of a fictionalised narrative than a true biopic.

[114] Hemanth Kumar of Firstpost gave the film 3.5/5 stars, stating, "Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy tells a fascinating story about a rebellion that’s never been explored in Telugu cinema."

He opined that the film effectively captures the lesser-known uprising against British rule in the Rayalaseema region, showcasing Chiranjeevi’s powerful performance as a unifying leader amid a well-established context of oppression.

However, while it excels in visual storytelling and action sequences, it falters in character development and emotional depth, making some plot elements feel overly convenient and repetitive.

She observed that the film, while inspired by the life of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, embraces cinematic dramatization and populist appeal, showcasing Chiranjeevi in a memorable performance that pays homage to his superstar image.

Despite some drawn-out war sequences, the film effectively weaves together a rich tapestry of characters and visuals, supported by strong performances from the ensemble cast, making it a compelling watch for both fans and newcomers.

According to him, the film delivers a compelling narrative about an unsung hero, blending machismo, patriotism, and Chiranjeevi’s star power to create a commercial potboiler that resonates with mass audiences.

While the uneven writing and lack of depth in some action sequences detract from its overall impact, strong performances from the cast, particularly Chiranjeevi and Tamannaah Bhatia, help elevate the film's execution.

She pointed out that the film is a grand cinematic tribute to the legendary freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, showcasing bravery and resilience against British colonial rule.

With a captivating storyline, impressive visuals, a powerful background score, and a strong supporting cast, the film offers an engaging experience that resonates with audiences while highlighting the struggles for independence.

[120] Apoorva Gupta of India TV gave a rating of 3 out of 5, stating, "Sye Raa Narasimha is a ride full of action, drama, and patriotism."

The film features impressive visuals and impactful dialogues that effectively convey the story of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy's rebellion against British rule, although some viewers may find the pacing uneven at times.

[122] Krishna Sripada of The News Minute gave the film 2.5/5 stars, commenting, "Chiranjeevi still remains a man who can helm a magnanimous tale, but unless our writing goes deeper and becomes more layered, we will be stuck with superficially slick and intellectually mediocre projects such as these."

In her view, the film presents a grand yet familiar tale of heroism, following the titular character’s rebellion against British oppression, but it falls short in exploring deeper social issues, relying instead on well-worn tropes and predictable arcs.

[123] Manoj Kumar R. of The Indian Express gave the film 2.5/5 stars, stating, "The major flaw in Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is Surender's attempt to force a sprawling story into a mould that fits the narrow definition of mainstream commercial cinema."

He noted that while the film showcases Chiranjeevi's charisma as he embodies the titular character, it ultimately struggles due to a weak screenplay that fails to provide depth or cohesion to the narrative.

Despite its grand scale and potential for impactful moments, the film devolves into a predictable good-versus-evil saga, lacking the strong writing that could have elevated it to the level of its inspirations.

[139] Nekkanti Srinivasa Rao, a Telugu historian, told to media that the movie lacks historical accuracy, saying that Narasimha Reddy only questioned the British authorities for his monthly pension which he was supposed to inherit from his grandfather.

[140][139] Telugu writer SDV Aziz who penned the popular biography of Narasimha Reddy Renati Surya Chandrulu was of the opinion that some cinematic liberty is necessary because of the emotional charge it needs to provide to the viewer.

The film was released with a disclaimer through which the makers emphasise that while the story is inspired by the life of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, they do not claim historical accuracy for all the events shown in the narrative.