Shakti The Power

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Article Updated 08 December, 2002 05:19:06 PM IST

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Shakti The Power

Credits
Producer/s:	Sridevi Kapoor
Director:	Krishna Vamsi
Cast:	Nana Patekar, Karishma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Deepti Naval, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Vijay Raj, Tiku Talsania and Jaspal Bhatti, Manohar Shyam
Music:	Ismail Darbar and Anu Malik
Lyrics:	Mehboob

National Award Winner Krishna Vamsi makes his debut in Bollywood from the podium of Sridevi Productions with Shakti The Power. The movie has violence as its principle element accompanied by various sorts of mayhem. Shakti is a remake of Anthapuram which on the other hand was a remake of Hollywood movie Not Without My Daughter. Shakti is a heavy dose of bloodshed and violence but its the powerful performances that make it worthwhile watching.

Nandini (Karishma Kapoor) stays all by herself in Canada where she runs a restaurant with the help of some of her late father's pals (Tiku Talsania and Jaspal Bhatti). Nandini is friends with Shekhar (Sanjay Kapoor) who is also an employee in her restaurant. They fall in love and get married and soon Nandini gives birth to a boy who is baptized as Raja (Jai Gidwani). Till now life has been as good as a fairy tale for Nandini, until one day on hearing the news about a bomb blast in an Indian village depresses Shekhar. He reveals the truth to Nandini that he is not all alone in the world and has a family residing in India that had was abandoned by him a few years ago. Nandini accompanies Shekhar along with her son on his journey back to India without inquiring the reason for his abandoning his family.

In India Nandini comes across few unpleasant people and episodes. They board a bus that would take them to Shekhar's native and on their way the bus is attacked by a ferocious mob that tries to kill Shekhar. But another armed gang rescues Shekhar, Nandini and Raja. On reaching Shekhar's home she is introduced to his father Narsimha (Nana Patekar) and mother (Deepti Naval). Nandini soon realizes that her father in law is a ruthless maniac who has his way in everything. His objective is to kill his rivals and to suppress mercilessly whoever tries to defy him including his wife. One day Bija (Vijay Raj) son of Maharaj (Manohar Shyam) their arch rival is killed by Narsimha's men. Maharaj in turn kills Shekhar. Narsimha resolves to train Raja to become his inheritor and to avenge Shekhar's death. Frantic and horrified Nandini tries to runs away who cannot see her innocent son being coached to become a merciless murderer. But all her efforts to escape from Narsimha's fortified empire all prove to be in vain. A young villager (Shah Rukh Khan) who wants to fly to Dubai and mint money helps Nandini with her escape.

The movie is grappled and marinated with violence throughout. The narrative is strengthened only after the couple's arrival in India. Vamsi has tried to give a realistic depiction with the help of art director, the village sets seem genuine. There are few scenes worth mentioning due to their realistic portrayal like the scene where Shekhar is brutally killed, Narasimha coaching Raja to blast a bomb, his thrashing Nandini before the villagers, blowing a punch in his wife's stomach. This also includes Nandini's bid to escape with the help of her sister in law (Ritu Shivpuri) and lastly the village man's entry where she finally manages to reach the airport with his assistance.

The problem that undermines Shakti is that it is too powerful for the audience. Despite Shah Rukh's character that helps in to give a vent the movie lacks the expected. Dialogues by Kamal Pandey are punchy and bold, adding might to scenes but too abusive language could have been avoided. Another drawback is that of its length and songs that are undesired. Background score by Mani Sharma is effective. Action by Allan Amin is knocking in Shah Rukh's scenes.

One has to say that it is the powerful cast and their powerful performances that give Shakti, the power. Karishma once again delivers a memorable performance and this one can be counted as one of her best performance till date. Nana Patekar makes his presence felt to the hilt and is as natural as he could be. Sanjay Kapoor plays his part well, Shah Rukh on the other hand in his petty role too succeeds in leaving behind his imprint. Deepti Naval makes a return journey with a worthy role.

Shakti is suitable only for those who can tolerate blood soaked scenes without feeling queasiness. Vamsi's plunge into Bollywood with Shakti is admirable, however he could have tried to keep away from usual singing and dancing in a film like Shakti.