Director Gunasekhar’s latest film, Shaakuntalam, is a period drama that takes inspiration from the Mahabharata and follows the Kalidasa version of the story. The movie centers around Shakuntala, played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a symbol of purity, integrity, and self-respect, who falls in love with King Dushyanta, played by Dev Mohan. The blame for their ill-fated romance is removed from the King, and a narrative device in the form of a ring and Durvasa’s curse bring in the element of fate into the story.
Director Gunasekhar’s Vision
Gunasekhar is known for his larger-than-life films, and Shaakuntalam is no exception. The movie recreates the grandeur of ancient India with elaborate sets and costume dramas. It is commendable that Gunasekhar and producer Dil Raju took an interest in bringing such ancient literature to the screen again.
A Romanticized Version of Kalidasa’s Shakuntala
Kalidasa’s version of Shakuntala is a precursor to ill-fated romance, favored by Western writers and poets. This is the version that Gunasekhar follows in Shaakuntalam. As there is no villain in this version of the story, the movie trudges along with no major emotional upheavals pulling the viewers apart. However, the romanticized portrayal of Shakuntala as a passive, love-struck heroine may not resonate with the present generation.
Passivity of the Female Lead
The female lead, Shakuntala, is portrayed as a passive character who accepts her fate without much agency. Even when the King rejects her, she prays for her existence to end. This passivity is hardly comprehensible to the present generation, and it relegates the daring on her part in accepting the King to the background.
Impressive Performances by the Cast
Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Dev Mohan deliver impressive performances as Shakuntala and Dushyanta, respectively. Mohan Babu’s portrayal of Durvasa lifts the film briefly. Aditi Balan impresses within her limited screen time, but her character could have been better written. Allu Arjun’s daughter Allu Arha playing Bharata brings warmth and freshness to the screen and lifts up the film during the climax.
Letdowns in the Movie
The episodes with Indra and Menaka drag the narrative down every time they appear on screen. Sachin Khedekar’s role as Sage Kanva is ill-defined and hardly registers. Gautami’s role is also unclear and forgettable. Prakash Raj’s cameo is equally forgettable. The 3D conversion added much later is a big letdown. The perspectives are lost, and the depth is either excessive or not right, resulting in a constant irritation that perhaps brings down the film itself. It is better for viewers to skip the 3D version.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Shaakuntalam is a grand period drama that brings ancient literature to the screen again. While the impressive performances by the cast and Gunasekhar’s vision are commendable, the passivity of the female lead and the letdowns in the movie may not resonate with the present generation. Overall, Shaakuntalam is an average movie that deserves a rating of three stars ?
