Shaakuntalam review: Samantha stands out as Shakuntala in Gunasekhar’s mythological drama

Director Gunasekhar’s mythological magnum opus Shaakuntalam has released in theatres today, 14 April, after creating quite a good pre-release buzz.

With one of the top stars of South, Samantha starring in the title role, this period love drama has been eagerly tracked by film enthusiasts.

“Abhignana Saakuntalam”, the mythological drama written by the great poet Kalidasa needs no introduction for Indians. Right from the “Chandamama” magazine to textbooks, from literature to performing arts, “Abhignana Saakuntalam” has been told and retold many times.

So, as a story, there is nothing new that this modern-day Shaakuntalam will offer to the viewers. However, one needs to appreciate the guts of director Gunasekhar for choosing a mythological story with which most of the Indians are acquainted.

Now, let’s travel into the world of Shaakuntalam to experience how Gunasekhar adapted Kalidasa’s work to the silver screen.

Synopsis

The movie narrates the love story between Shakuntala (Samantha) — daughter of sage Viswamitra and Menaka, an apsara — and King Dushyanta (Dev Mohan). They have a son Prince Bharata (Allu Arha).

Besides being a familiar story, “Abhignana Saakuntalam” is also considered one of the greatest love stories in Indian literature. So, it is riskier to adapt it to screen, especially these days when quick and short format content is ruling our lives.

But Gunashekar, a maverick director with several critically acclaimed big films to his credit, takes up the challenge of retelling the love story of Shakuntala and Dushyanta in 3D for the present generation.

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Dull screenplay and presentation

As the story is an age-old one, the only way the director would have kept the audience engaged is through good screenplay and novelty in presentation. Surprisingly, we don’t see either in Shaakuntalam.

Gunasekhar neither brings in any innovation in the case of the screenplay nor ensured novelty in the case of treatment. He seems to have religiously stuck to Kalidasa’s original work.

As a result, present-day moviegoers — who are accustomed to hyperactive and clickbait content — fail to immerse in the universe of Shaakuntalam.

More work on screenplay and treatment would have placed Shaakuntalam in a different league.

What an honour🙏🤍#ShaakuntalamOnApril14 pic.twitter.com/vZDmPInzJU

— Samantha (@Samanthaprabhu2) April 12, 2023

Visual effects play spoilsport

It seems Gunasekhar thought of presenting Shakuntala-Dushyanta’s love story in 3D as the USP of Shaakuntalam. But visual effects have let down the director’s vision.

The visual effects are just okay, especially since there are several glitches in the case of the 3D version.

The VFX are extremely important for period movies like these. While VFX are impressive taking us to a different world in some scenes, overall, the film needs more sophistication given the rich story.

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Samantha stands out

Samantha has done a memorable role in Shaakuntalam. The movie will be remembered forever in her filmography.

She carries the entire film on her shoulders. Though, at times, her character appears overtly stoic, she delivers a good performance as Shakuntala. She is a class apart.

Dev Mohan has done well as King Dushyanta. But it is a bit unconvincing to see him as the love interest of Samantha who is already a big star. It would have been better if Dushyanta’s role was played by a popular star.

Sachin Khedekar, Mohan Babu, Madhoo, Aditi Balan, Gautami, and Baby Allu Arha play supporting roles finely.

In terms of technical crafts, senior music director Mani Sharma composed the soundtrack and background music. While songs fail to turn viral, the background music is just fine.

Shekar V Joseph’s cinematography is decent.

Shaakuntalam is all yours from today..🤗#Shaakuntalam pic.twitter.com/tr00O8p4rB

— Dev Mohan (@ActorDevMohan) April 14, 2023

Final take

Shaakuntalam is a sincere and courageous attempt by director Gunasekhar to narrate Kalidasa’s epic “Abhignana Shaakuntalam” to the present-day audience using 3D and the latest developments in filmmaking.

With Samantha being the face of this heartening effort, it turns out to be a good movie.

(Views expressed are personal.)