Shaakuntalam Cast: Samantha, Dev Mohan, Sachin Khedekar, Mohan Babu, Satya, Kabir Duhan Singh, Gautami, Allu Arha
Shaakuntalam Crew:
Based on Abhijnana Shakuntalam by Mahakavi Kalidasa
Written by Sai Madhav Burra
Music by Mani Sharma
Cinematography by Sekhar V. Joseph
Editing by Prawin Pudi
Directed by Gunasekhar
Produced by Neelima Guna, Dil Raju
Shaakuntalam Rating: 2/5
Shaakuntalam is a film adaptation of Mahabharata tale Shakuntala. Actually, the tale became hugely popular as a stage play, as Mahakavi Kalidasa dramatized it as Abhijnana Shakuntalam. Shaakuntalam has Samantha in the lead role with Dev Mohan in another lead role. Many senior actors like Mohan Babu, Madhoo, Sachin Khedekar, Gauthami have been hired to bring some great characters in the play to life. Shaakuntalam released on 14th April and is directed by Gunasekhar. Produced by Neelima Guna and Dil Raju. Let’s discuss about the film now.
Shaakuntalam Plot:
Shaakuntalam follows the life of young Shakuntala (Samantha). She is the abondanded daughter of Menaka (Madhoo) and Sage Vishwamitra. Sage Kanva (Sachin Khedekar) adopts her as his daughter and becomes highly protective of her. Shaakuntalam takes a dramatic turn when King Dushyantha (Dev Mohan) enters hermitage of Sage Kanva and falls in love with her. King Dushyantha and Shakuntala fall in love with each other. When Shakuntala asks for marriage, King performs Gandharva marriage without permission of elders.
Further in Shaakuntalam, King promises to accept her as his Queen. But asks for some time to take her to the capital. Dreaming and thinking about him Shakuntala doesn’t heed to Sage Durvasa (Mohan Babu)’s pleas. He curses her that her lover will forget and abondon her. Will they reunite after this curse? What will happen to Shakuntala due to this curse? Watch the film Shaakuntalam to know more.
Shaakuntalam Analysis:
Gunasekhar has been a pioneer in introducing new age production design and graphics to Telugu Screen. He clever used sets of Kolkata housing society and Charminar, Madurai Temple in his earlier films. When it comes to Shaakuntalam, he is completely out of his wit, here. The man who made some beautiful films failed to bring together a great story in visually appealing images. Shaakuntalam struggles to even engage you as it feels like a street play rather than a film. The strong emotional connect that Gunasekhar could bring in his films is a big miss.
Samantha as Shakuntala tried her best to please viewers. She tried hard to make a meal of the material offered. Dev Mohan looked good in action scenes and romantic scenes. Allu Arha looked cute. Mohan Babu, Madhoo, Sachin Khedekar, Sarath Babu all got wasted even though their characters and scenes had depth in original material. Shaakuntalam tries to be a visual poetry but VFX doesn’t suit the imagination and 3D is a big miss. Music by Mani Sharma is good. Shaakuntalam could have been a well-made movie by Gunasekhar in his prime. Unfortunately, he seems to have crossed it.
Shaakuntalam Positives:
Samantha Performance
Mani Sharma BGM
Few ideas
Shaakuntalam Negatives:
VFX Work
Amateurish Narrative
Silly Dialogues
Too Modern Dialogue Delivery
Disengaging Screenplay
Shaakuntalam Bottom-line: Every Arrow Misses the Target!
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