Shaakuntalam is one of those projects that, while intriguing as a concept and on paper, is ultimately uninteresting as a film. Shaakuntalam is the clearest example of how director Gunasekhar, best known for helming Mahesh Babu’s Okkadu and Arjun, continues to bite off more than he can chew, as his form continues to degrade with each outing. Eight years after the release of Rudhramadevi, another historical action drama, Gunasekhar makes a comeback with Shaakuntalam, unquestionably his worst effort in the past ten years.
The protagonist of Shaakuntalam, who has never known love, is Shakuntala. She is the infant daughter of Menaka and Vishwamitra. Her mother abandons her in the forest, where Kanva Maharishi finds her and takes care of her. Years later, in the wilderness, King Dushyanta and Shakuntala encounter one another, and it is love at first sight. Shakuntala is also enthralled by Dushyanta’s courage and personality, and she ends up falling in love with him. She worries that her curse of never experiencing love will prevent her from having the happy marriage she dreams of with Dushyanta. Contrary to her fears, Shakuntala and Dushyanta secretly wed, and he vows to give her a regal welcome.