Shaakuntalam (2023) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Shaakuntalam (2023) Review
Shaakuntalam (2023) is a Telugu drama, fantasy, romance film starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dev Mohan, Aditi Balan. Directed by Gunasekhar. Shakuntala, daughter of Meneka and Rishi Vishwamitra lives in forest with her teacher, Rishi Kanva. In the forest she meets King Dushyant, falls in love with him and the two get married. After she has their baby (Prince Bharata), Dushyant leaves her in the forest with a promise to come back for her ... Our Rating: 2/5. Verdict: FLOP. Released: 14 Apr 2023. Runtime: 2h 29m.
Shaakuntalam(2023)
Shaakuntalam
Telugu · Drama, Fantasy, Romance
2h 29m · 14 Apr 2023
Music: Mani Sharma | DOP: Sekhar V. Joseph | Writer: Sai Madhav Burra, Gunasekhar, Naresh Namdev
Ratings
Our Rating
2
📖 Story
Shaakuntalam is a mythological romantic drama based on the classical Sanskrit play 'Abhijnanashakuntalam' by Kalidasa. It narrates the love story of Shakuntala, a forest-dwelling maiden, and King Dushyanta, their separation due to a curse, and eventual reunion, highlighting themes of love, destiny, and sacrifice.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Graceful and emotive portrayal of Shakuntala, capturing innocence and strength.
Dev Mohan: Earnest and regal as King Dushyanta, though somewhat restrained.
Aditi Balan: Supportive role with subtle impact.
Gunasekhar: Effective in her role, adding depth to the narrative.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Commanding presence as a pivotal character.
Dev Mohan: Strong and dignified performance.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Visual grandeur and rich production design
- ✓Samantha Ruth Prabhu's compelling central performance
- ✓Musical score by Mani Sharma enhancing emotional depth
- ✓Authentic period costumes and sets
Weaknesses
- ✕Pacing issues with a slow narrative flow
- ✕Screenplay lacks engagement in parts
- ✕Underdeveloped supporting characters
- ✕Direction sometimes overly theatrical
🎬 Direction & Writing
Gunasekhar's direction is ambitious with a focus on grandeur and visual spectacle, but the storytelling suffers from uneven pacing and lacks the emotional connect required for a mythological romance.
- - Cinematography by Sekhar V. Joseph capturing lush landscapes
- - Music by Mani Sharma blending classical and contemporary elements
- - Art direction and costume design authentic to the period
- - Visual effects used to enhance mythological elements
📰 Ratings Sources
No rating sources available.
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics
Critics praised the film's visual appeal and Samantha's performance but criticized the screenplay and pacing. The movie received mixed to average reviews, with appreciation for technical aspects but disappointment in narrative execution.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Shaakuntalam release in theatres?▾
Shaakuntalam released on 14 April 2023 (2023).
Is Shaakuntalam a hit or flop?▾
Shaakuntalam is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Where to watch Shaakuntalam online? OTT release date?▾
Shaakuntalam is available on Prime Video from 10 May 2023.
Who directed Shaakuntalam?▾
Shaakuntalam directed by Gunasekhar. Produced by Dil Raju, Neelima Guna, Gunasekhar.
Who are the main cast members of Shaakuntalam?▾
Shaakuntalam stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dev Mohan, Aditi Balan.
What is the Tollybo rating for Shaakuntalam?▾
Tollybo rates Shaakuntalam 2/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Who composed the music for Shaakuntalam?▾
Music for Shaakuntalam composed by Mani Sharma.
What is the genre and runtime of Shaakuntalam?▾
Shaakuntalam — Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Runtime: 149 minutes, Language: Telugu.