PLOT
Derived from Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam, this is a tale of love between King Dushyant (Dev Mohan) and Shakuntala (Samantha Ruth Prabhu), the daughter of sage Vishwakarma and Menaka. The curse of Sage Durvasa erases Dushyant’s memory of Shakuntala, but the two eventually come together once the enchantment is lifted.
Although the mythological world created by Ashok Kumar’s art direction and Joseph V Sekhar’s cinematography, accompanied by impressive visuals and VFX, are admirable, the narrative feels lackluster. The story encompasses several occurrences; however, Gunasekhar, the director, is cautious in his execution.
REVIEW
On a magnificent level, an outstanding work by the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa has been narrated again in this film. Whether it’s the magical setting of Shakuntala and Dushyant love affair or the natural set of battle scenes, the show’s production and visual allure have been elevated to a great extent. The movie promptly showcases its ability to present exciting action as Dushyant bravely rescues a village from savage creatures such as tigers and wolves.
The audience is subsequently presented with Shakuntala and Dushyant romance in the HDR format, featuring a vibrantly colorful forest populated by various creatures, including butterflies, peacocks, deer, and plant life.
The chronicle’s simplistic approach fails to capture the larger-than-life atmosphere and cinematic essence. The cinematic experience of the film is enhanced by the rich melodies composed by Mani Sharma.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu appears heavenly as the girl adorned with flowers and stunningly regal in her elaborate queenly attire. She delivers authentic expressions in every scene, whether she is an innocent, naive beauty, a vulnerable and powerless wife who is being singled out, or an outraged woman.
Dev Mohan’s portrayal of a just monarch, a bold fighter, and a longing romantic is incredibly compelling. He performs the action scenes with equal proficiency as he skillfully transitions into a role of a kind and affectionate lover. In the brief appearance of Madhoo as Menaka, she portrays a remarkable character and radiates a stunning appearance.
Rating: 3/5
The film also briefly depicts other instances from our extensive mythology. Even though the central theme of this story is love, Shakuntala’s pain is thoroughly covered. It would have been interesting to watch her alone in Kashyap Sage’s hermitage, raising their son and seeing her as a lonely woman. Based on these factors, it has been rated three out of five as an overall score.
The ideal way to enjoy Shaakuntalam, accessible in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada, is on a large screen. Gunasekhar directed the motion picture. Producer Neelima Guna is behind it. Samantha and Dev Mohan are in charge of the top parts. The movie opened in theaters on April 14, 2023. After a six-week theatrical run, it is anticipated to be distributed on the OTT platform.
