In pics: Shakti review

Cast: NT Rama Rao, Ileana, SP Balasubrahmanyam, Prabhu, Vinodkumar, Nazar, Sonu Sood, Sayaji Shinde, Daniel, Brahmanandam, Jackie Shroff, Krishna Bhagwan Ali, Venu Madhav, Pruthvi, Srinivas Reddy, Pooja Bedi, Manjari Phadnis, Manju Bharagavi, Pragati and others.

Credits: Music – Manisharma, Dialogues – Satyanand, Cinematography – Sameer Reddy, Editing – Praveen, P, Producer – Aswinidutt, Story, screenplay and direction – Meher Ramesh.

Banner: Vyjayanti Movies

Release date: April 1, 2011

At Rs 45 crore, Shakti is among the most expensive films in Telugu in recent years.

The result is a lavishly made film with great locations, special effects and action.

But where is the story. Audiences are left with a strange mishmash of a period film in modern times. The result is just as absurd as it sounds.

The film draws its name and inspiration from the concept of the 18 shakti pithas (places of Shakti worship) in India. It even suggests (mysteriously) of an unknown pitha.

So we have Pooja Bedi as an Egyptian princess who wants to get her hands on a pure crystal, an ancestral treasure. The crystal lies in the possession of Mahadevaraya (Prabhu).

Mahadevaraya who also happens to be the custodian of this unknown Shakti temple and the Home Minister of the country! We did say it was a mishmash!

More confusion! Mahadevaraya has his own battle to avenge the killing of his father (SP Balasubrahmanyam). He must also regain his father's stolen special trident.

If you are wondering about the hero, NTR Jr plays Shakti Swaroop, a guide who is accompanying Aishwarya (Ileana) and her friends on a trip.

Shakti Swaroop has a hidden identity but that's for you to discover even later.

The director failed to bring out the performances of talented actors such as Sonu Sood, Jackie Shroff, Sayaji Shinde and Prabhu.

Pooja Bedi failed to emote and looked wooden in most of her scenes.

NTR Jr tries to show off his slick dance moves, while Ileana relies on her glamour.

Catch the film if you want to watch NTR Jr on screen. We think he needs to select his films with more care!