“Shakuni” is an interesting title of Karthi’s new film named after the most interesting character in Mahabharata. Despite being a dubbed film (“Saguni” in Tamil), it was marketed well by Telugu producer Bellamkonda Suresh and generated quite a buzz before other big releases lined up like “Eega” and “Julai”. Its worth the excitement and hype – “Shakuni” played by Karthi, is quite a combination of a convincing political thriller and a light-hearted comedy with romance getting short shrift.
Director N Shankar Dayal creates a credible story that has many layers, backs it with a racy screenplay and great characterizations. Just like Shakuni who, after being wronged by Duryodhana befriends him and eventually brings him to a war that destroys him and his clan, Karthi plays the role of a modern Shakuni. He takes a different path to dethrone Prakash Raj. But why? His only asset is an ancestral home that is now under threat of getting demolished due to a metro rail project awarded to a protégé of Chief Minister Prakash Raj. Karthi seeks the help of the CM but gets shunted out. He then realizes like all voters who vote for cash/expectations that its time to change the king – he pushes one pawn after another, motivates an auto-rickshaw fleet owner (Radhika) to become a corporator and eventually a mayor, then moulds a roadside soothsayer (Nazar) into becoming a Billionaire Godman (he funds the elections) and finally, resurrects the fortunes of a jail inmate in Chenchalguda (rings a bell?) - the inmate (Kota Srinivasa Rao) builds new cadre, fights the elections to defeat Prakash Raj and becomes the new CM.
The transition from a helpless youth to a master strategist in the political affairs of a state is essayed brilliantly by Karthi. As a brother of Super Star Soorya, he hasn’t got much to prove so far with films smacking of off-beat love stories and tribal roles but this movie shows him in better light. He uses his confusingly crooked smile and confident screen presence with great effect. A role to remember for Karthi; Telugu dubbing in his own voice will endear him more to the masses and classes. A role that runs parallel to him throughout the movie is that of popular Tamil Comedian Santhanam – he is so under-stated, mellowed, raunchy and yet classy – unlike what we associate with Tamil comedians. This must be his finest performance till date. Kota Srinivasa Rao outshines Prakash Raj, and similarly, Radhika outclasses Nazar. Praneetha has got good screen presence but has to improve her looks, heroines have got to reduce the glare of their eyes if they have to connect with the masses.
GV Prakash Kumar, surprise, surprise, creates pleasant music in the film as well as above-par BGM. If the movie becomes a hit, I am sure it will be remade in Hindi, the plot is so irresistible and contemporary with most of its punctuation playing out in our political circles. Dialogues are terrific commentary and have the sharpness expected of a political thriller without being over-the-top. Even though 158 minutes is unusually long, the momentum gathered after the first half do not make it seem arduously long. If at all, the first 30 minutes could have been trimmed; Director tried to create a thin romantic track that is almost invisible in the drama of the politics that engulfs the second half.
After “Rangam” last year, I was quite excited to go for this movie and feel it’s a fine effort worth the time. Such films come but rarely from Tollywood directors – they rarely make story the real hero. This is a wholesome family fare.
Director N Shankar Dayal creates a credible story that has many layers, backs it with a racy screenplay and great characterizations. Just like Shakuni who, after being wronged by Duryodhana befriends him and eventually brings him to a war that destroys him and his clan, Karthi plays the role of a modern Shakuni. He takes a different path to dethrone Prakash Raj. But why? His only asset is an ancestral home that is now under threat of getting demolished due to a metro rail project awarded to a protégé of Chief Minister Prakash Raj. Karthi seeks the help of the CM but gets shunted out. He then realizes like all voters who vote for cash/expectations that its time to change the king – he pushes one pawn after another, motivates an auto-rickshaw fleet owner (Radhika) to become a corporator and eventually a mayor, then moulds a roadside soothsayer (Nazar) into becoming a Billionaire Godman (he funds the elections) and finally, resurrects the fortunes of a jail inmate in Chenchalguda (rings a bell?) - the inmate (Kota Srinivasa Rao) builds new cadre, fights the elections to defeat Prakash Raj and becomes the new CM.
The transition from a helpless youth to a master strategist in the political affairs of a state is essayed brilliantly by Karthi. As a brother of Super Star Soorya, he hasn’t got much to prove so far with films smacking of off-beat love stories and tribal roles but this movie shows him in better light. He uses his confusingly crooked smile and confident screen presence with great effect. A role to remember for Karthi; Telugu dubbing in his own voice will endear him more to the masses and classes. A role that runs parallel to him throughout the movie is that of popular Tamil Comedian Santhanam – he is so under-stated, mellowed, raunchy and yet classy – unlike what we associate with Tamil comedians. This must be his finest performance till date. Kota Srinivasa Rao outshines Prakash Raj, and similarly, Radhika outclasses Nazar. Praneetha has got good screen presence but has to improve her looks, heroines have got to reduce the glare of their eyes if they have to connect with the masses.
GV Prakash Kumar, surprise, surprise, creates pleasant music in the film as well as above-par BGM. If the movie becomes a hit, I am sure it will be remade in Hindi, the plot is so irresistible and contemporary with most of its punctuation playing out in our political circles. Dialogues are terrific commentary and have the sharpness expected of a political thriller without being over-the-top. Even though 158 minutes is unusually long, the momentum gathered after the first half do not make it seem arduously long. If at all, the first 30 minutes could have been trimmed; Director tried to create a thin romantic track that is almost invisible in the drama of the politics that engulfs the second half.
After “Rangam” last year, I was quite excited to go for this movie and feel it’s a fine effort worth the time. Such films come but rarely from Tollywood directors – they rarely make story the real hero. This is a wholesome family fare.
