Shaakuntalam: Gunasekhar’s costume drama stars Samantha and Dev Mohan
Shaakuntalam is an epic saga that unfolds the poignant tale of Shakuntala and her fateful romance with Dusyanta, the king of Hastinapur.
Director Gunasekhar's latest film "Shaakuntalam" is a period drama based on the Mahabharata, specifically following the version of Kalidasa's adaptation. Gunasekhar is known for his elaborate sets and costume dramas, having previously recreated landmarks like the Charminar and Madhura Meenakshi temple in his films. "Shaakuntalam" stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu as Shakuntala, a symbol of purity and self-respect, and Dev Mohan as Dushyanta, her suitor. However, the film's passive portrayal of Shakuntala's character and the inclusion of elements like Durvasa's curse and Indra's episodes receive mixed reviews from viewers.
The film features impressive performances from Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Dev Mohan as the lead characters. However, the episodes with Indra and Menaka are perceived as dragging down the narrative. Mohan Babu's portrayal of Durvasa briefly lifts the film, while Aditi Balan's performance leaves an impact despite her limited screen time. Ananya Nagalla's satisfactory portrayal of Anasuya and Sachin Khedekar's sleepwalking performance as Sage Kanva are noted. Gautami's ill-defined role and Prakash Raj's forgettable cameo are seen as drawbacks.
Allu Arjun's daughter, Allu Arha, steals the show with her cute and charismatic presence in the role of Bharata during the film's climax. Saimadhav Burra's dialogues are praised in some places, while Mani Sharma's music is deemed adequate. However, the 3D conversion of the film added later, is criticized for its poor quality, with issues in perspective and depth causing constant irritation to viewers. The recommendation is to skip the 3D version.
Dil Raju and Gunasekhar are appreciated for their efforts in bringing ancient literature to the screen with "Shaakuntalam." However, some feel that the particular adaptation of Kalidasa's version may not be the right fit for the current generation, as it portrays Shakuntala as passive and lacks the assertiveness of the original Mahabharata version of the character.
Dil Raju and Gunasekhar's efforts to bring ancient literature to the screen are appreciated, but some viewers feel that the portrayal of Shakuntala as passive may not be in line with the expectations of the current generation.
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