Cast: Balakrishna, Shriya Saran, Hema Malini
Banner: First Frame Entertainments
Music: Chirantan Bhatt
Cinematography: Gnana Shekar V S
Editor: Suraj Jagtap & Rama Krishna Arram
Dialogues: Burra Sai Madhav
Presenter: Bibo Srinivas
Producers: Saibabu Jagarlamudi, Y Rajeev Reddy & Suhasini Panguluri
Story-Screenplay-Direction: Krish
Tagline: A MUST WATCH tale of Telugu Pride - an Epic Emotional Feast!
Gautamiputra Satakarni Plot:
Satavahana King Satakarni dreams to bring the entire Indian land mass under one roof. Emperor Satakarni’s brigade forges ahead to the Northern territory conquering various challenges to establish the unprecedented Satavahana era. But both “Gautamiputra” Satakarni and the Greeks are restless. A last war awaits the legendary emperor that is going to etch history that lasts forever. How did Satakarni triumph over fears, challenges, conspiracies, and define the fortune of the Telugus forms the crux of the story.
Gautamiputra Satakarni Performances:
Nandamuri Balakrishna: Just like how Lord Krishna/Rama is (late) NTR for us, Balakrishna is SATAKARNI! With an unmatched panache, vigor and performance Balayya is Satakarni come alive.
Shriya Saran: She was equally magnificent as Vasishti Devi, the better half of Satakarni. Shriya brought the much needed beauty and balance to the script amidst the supremacy of Satakarni and Balayya.
Hema Malini: Without ‘Gautami Bala’ there is no Satakarni and vice versa too. Much against to the hype, Gautami Bala’s prominence was limited to Hema Malini’s presence that gave the weight the role needed.
Besides the trio Kabir Bedi as King Nahapana and the foreign cast playing the Greek Kings and Ethena deliver stellar performances.
Analysis:
Since this isn’t a book review, this review limits itself to talk about the cinematic depiction of the legendary Telugu Emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni’s ambitious military expeditions and victories in the course of bringing the (then) Indian landmass under one roof.
Firstly Krish & First Frame Entertainments’ meticulous planning and execution of this project within 79 days deserve to be lauded.
Now the writing department of GPSK (with due lead credits to Krish, Burra Sai Madhav) smartly identifies the potential cinematic notches in the history and knits a gripping screenplay. Director Krish prefers emotional storytelling to visual grandeur which is the commendable aspect of the film. While the strong plot is the backbone of the film, Krish maintains the intensity and emotional graph of the entire film which leaves setbacks like repeated usage of the same shots in the war sequences and mediocre visual effects ignored. Yet another element that works for the film is the runtime and pacy screenplay which has not even a single dull moment. Burra Sai Madhav’s terrific dialogues steal the show and if you had goose bumps, let us remind you it because of the dialogues. Writing, Performances, Cinematography, Editing, Backgroundscore, Production design– you name any prominent craft, GPSK leaves you impressed. Had the film made on a higher budget with proper visual effects and climax episode, it would be on the next horizon.
A high-voltage first half and content-driven pacy second half make Gautamiputra Satakarni a pakka paisa vasool too!
Merits:
- R&D, Story and Screenplay
- Cinematography
- Editing
- Music and background score
- Production Design
De-merits:
- Nothing worth mentioning.
Music:
Kudos to Chirrantan Bhatt’s amazing background score leaves you goosebumps throughout. More than music, re-recording gives life to this historical drama!
Others:
Shivaraj Kumar plays a significant cameo in this period drama that brings a crucial twist.
Gautamiputra Satakarni Verdict:
Gautamiputra Satakarni is a gripping film on the legendary Satavahana Emperor. More than a visual extravaganza, it is an emotional feast for the audience (irrespective of being a fan or not) – sheer victory of writing and acute execution. A MUST WATCH Telugu film that we can be proud of! #DesamMeesamThippeFilm #SaahoreSatakarni
Avg User Rating: 3.75/5
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