SHAAKUNTALAM
Cert 12A
142 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, injury detail, threat
There is nothing like a two-and-a-half-hour immersion in ancient Hindi history and the battles for power that ensued among the legendary heroes and demons.
Thus, I was looking forward to Shaakuntalam, the story of a pure orphan who married an emperor.
But, unfortunately, Gunasekhar's representation of one of Indian literature's most famous stories, is dogged by very clunky CGI.
I am certain this has contributed to it being one of the major box office flops of 2023.
It stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the young woman who has been brought up in an ashrama where she mixes with tame wildlife.
She has been devoted to pious living until the sudden appearance of King Dushyanta (Dev Mohan) who has chased an antelope into the forest where she lives.
The two fall in love at first sight and he even persuades her to marry him.
But when they are apart, she is cursed by an angry sage and her hopes of life with her beloved are left in tatters.
Or are they?
Shaakuntalam had enough classic material to have been a winner but it is surprisingly ham-fisted.
The dialogue is stilted, the presentation lacks emotion and, as said, the use of CGI is well-below the standard cinema audiences have come to expect.
I hadn't know its story but could see its various strands coming a mile off.
But worst of all, Prabhu and Mohan just didn't seem to have any chemistry, despite portraying star-crossed lovers.
Nope, Romeo & Juliet it ain't.
Reasons to watch: Throwback to historical films
Reasons to avoid: Jarring CGI
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6/10
Did you know? A real rabbit bit Samantha Ruth Prabhu on set and she suffered fall-out from her allergy to flowers.
The final word. Samantha Ruth Prabhu: "The character might be as old as the fifth century but it's amazing that I still connect being a contemporary modern day woman. I think it's very relatable and emotions like love, betrayal, and redemption don't go out of style." Pink Villa
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