JOIN USShakti
Kannada (A)
Cast: Malashree and others
Director: Anilkumar
The original action queen is back. And how. Malashree returns as “Shakti”, in a hard-hitting revenge drama. First time director Anilkumar delivers what he had promised–a good action film solely for the masses.
That the film draws heavily from Darshan’s “Sarathi”—right from the protagonist returning to roots to finding that last-gasp inspiration from Goddess Chamundeshwari to kick the evil villain out of business for good— is another matter. “Kannada Kiran Bedi” and “Ee Shatamanada Veera Madakari” anyone?
But that’s not to take away from the fabulous action work–not less than six fight masters of repute were deputed to choreograph each action set piece. Money is definitely well spent here. The director has also not hesitated to fill the dialogues with all known swear words, justifying the film’s certification – the decapitation, the knifing and slicing, the shape-changing punches and blood-sprouting mouths make “Shakti” a morbidly fascinating watch.
Still, this action mayhem is interspersed with drama, very little sentiment and a blink-n-it’s gone scam of a comedy track. Where was the need to bring Sadhu Kokila and Kurigalu Pratap into the film?
Kiran Srinivas and Radhika Gandhi have nothing to do, while Sayajirao Shinde, Vinaya Prakash, Avinash, Lohitashwa and Hema Chaudhry all go through their motions. The pick of the lot is Ravishankar who croons Kannada songs while slicing his enemies’ neck or taunting the heroine. Vardhan and Rajesh Kata have done their job well.
“Shakti” leaves little to imagination - these days, censor board certification no longer deters young kids from sampling the fare on offer. Hardcore Malashree fans will be heartened to see their “Gundina Hudugi” revelling in what she does best. Ditto anger management ‘experts’. But there is little else to appreciate.