Shakti Movie Review

Title: Shakti

Banner: Vyjayanthi Movies

Casting: Ileana, Jr NTR, Karthika, Sonu Sood

Music: Mani Sharma

Producer: Ashwini Dutt

Direction: Meher Ramesh

Story:

Egyptians (Sonu sood, Pooja Bedi) eyes Shakti Peethams in India to get their mummies back to life. However, they come to know that it is not an easy task to get that Shakti Trishoolam as it was guarded by Rudra (NTR Jr.). Sonu Sood dies in his hands when he tries to get that Trishoolam. His wife (Pooja Bedi) avenges her husband’s death and takes an oath to fulfill his desire. After 27 years, when the time arrives, she sends his men to get the Shakti Trishoolam. For that she has to kidnap Aishwarya (Ileana) who is born with the special powers of Shakti Matha. She is safeguarded by Shakti (NTR Jr.) and what happens next is the rest of the story.

Performances:

NTR, who has been given A1 Star title with the film, has done dual roles. He looked handsome in the role of Shakti Swaroop and did the role at an ease. NTR excelled in the dances and rocked in the role but when it comes to the flashback episode, NTR’s role in Maharudra is a disappointment to fans. The costumes did not work with NTR and he looked odd. Meher failed to showcase him in a unique look and the role as well is wrapped up at a rapid pace.


Ileana looked ravishing in the movie. This is the comeback film for the Sexy Siren after a brief gap of her Saleem. There isn’t much scope for the lady performance wise but she has her importance, when it comes to the story connection. Ileana is attractive and did an impressive job in all her three songs.


Prabhu as Ileana’s father and central home minister, Jackie Shroff as a gangster were appreciable in their good roles. Shayaji Shinde, Vinod Kumar are impressive while SP.Balu is good in his brief role. Puja Bedi in a villainous role is mediocre while Sonu Sood has no scope for performance. Brahmanandam’s role is wasted while Manjari Phadnis is seen in a couple of scenes in a very small role.

Analysis:

The first half of the film runs on a slow pace in a typical Telugu film style with NTR as a guide and few comic scenes on Ali, Krishna Bhagavan, Dharmavarapu Subramaniam. The interval bang is quite good, where NTR reveals the look of an NSG Commando secret agent. The last ten minutes before the interval leaves you pin high hopes on the second half. However, the second half of Shakti lets down your expectations completely. The Maharudra (NTR) characterization in the flashback episode lacks punch and energy and the costumes were another let down. The climax of the film is wrapped up in a hurried way with illogical sequences and senseless script.


Ashwini Dutt has spent lavishly on Shakti, and it can be seen visually in different locations. Sameer Reddy’s cinematography and Anand Sai’s art work need a special mention. The locales in North India, Dubai and Egypt are well captured. The basic concept of the Shakti peethams is a distinct and commendable idea from Meher Ramesh but execution wise, he totally failed through the screenplay. Connecting the story with the Egypt episode is useless with a missing fact. A couple of songs by Mani Sharma are good but the background score failed to lift the momentum especially in the flashback episode. Editing by Marthand.K.Venkatesh is patchy.


Plus Points: NTR Action,production values and cinematography


Minus Points: Screenplay,Direction,Story


Verdict: Shakti is a major disappointment for all the hype it generated. Now the economics of this film completely depend upon the fate of other releases and holidays season.

Rating : 2.5 

  Caption : Watch it for NTR Action