'Shaakuntalam' movie review and release LIVE updates: 'Shaakuntalam' Day 1 box office collection-Samantha Ruth Prabhu's film rakes in $150k+ from USA premieres and opening day gross, despite slow start
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  • 'Shaakuntalam' movie review and release LIVE updates: 'Shaakuntalam' Day 1 box office collection-Samantha Ruth Prabhu's film rakes in $150k+ from USA premieres and opening day gross, despite slow start
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 16, 2023, 11:40:32 IST
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'Shaakuntalam' movie review and release LIVE updates: 'Shaakuntalam' Day 1 box office collection-Samantha Ruth Prabhu's film rakes in $150k+ from USA premieres and opening day gross, despite slow start

Samantha Ruth Prabhu's starrer mythological drama film is releasing today all across the world. The film is written and directed by Gunasekhar and produced by Gunasekhar’s daughter Neelima Guna under their Gunaa Team Works. The film is said to be based on the popular play ‘Abhignyana Shakuntalam’ by MahaKavi Kalidasa and the film features actors namely Dev Mohan as King Dushyanta, Mohan Babu, Jisshu Sengupta, Madhoo, Gautami, Aditi Balan, and others playing other important roles. The film is made around 5 years with lots of research on its dialogues, Pre-production, VFX and other production-related challenges. The film’s soundtrack and the background score were composed by Manisharma, its cinematography was handled by Sekhar V. Joseph, and the film is edited by Prawin Pudi. The film’s dialogues were penned by Veteran dialogue writer Sri Sai Madhav Burra, while Dil Raju is distributing this film. The film is releasing today in Telugu states 2D and 3D formats besides in its dubbed versions in Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam languages. The film that has been premiered to celebs and media all across the country has been reviewed to be great and getting positive responses from all over. Let us hear what the public has to talk about the film and other social media reviews about this film ‘Shaakuntalam’ besides discussing its box-office collections through advance bookings and openings in both domestic and International markets.
11:40 (IST) Apr 16
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's latest release, 'Shaakuntalam,' is making headlines for all the right reasons. The movie, which released in the USA on April 14, has grossed over $200k in just two days and is still going strong. However, the same cannot be said for the movie's box office collection in India, where it has managed to mint just Rs 1.5 crore in two days.
17:46 (IST) Apr 15
A netizen applauds the film
16:00 (IST) Apr 15
A fan heaps praise on Sam
15:53 (IST) Apr 15
'Madhura Gathamaa' full video song is out
15:03 (IST) Apr 15
Team 'Shaakuntalam' thanks audience for the applause to the film
13:46 (IST) Apr 15
'Madhura Gathamaa' song to be out today
11:11 (IST) Apr 15
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's latest release, 'Shaakuntalam', has been making headlines since its USA premieres, where it collected over $150k on its opening day. The film started off on a slow note in India, and according to early trends, it is likely to earn only Rs 5 crore on day 1 at the box office. However, the strong showing in the US market has given hope to the filmmakers that the film will pick up pace in India as well.
10:52 (IST) Apr 15
Kabir Duhan Singh shares a clip from his interview
23:59 (IST) Apr 14
Hindi audience response
21:36 (IST) Apr 14
A netizen heaps praise on Allu Arha
21:04 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Shaakuntalam is one of the most anticipated Telugu movies of 2023. The film is a mythological drama directed by Gunasekhar and produced by Neelima Guna and Dil Raju. The film stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead role, alongside Dev Mohan, Aditi Balan, and Mohan Babu. The movie is based on the classic play Shakuntala by Kalidasa and has generated a lot of buzz among the audience. As the movie hit the screens today, let's take a look at the Day 1 box office prediction for 'Shaakuntalam.'
20:43 (IST) Apr 14
Consistency and authenticity
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has truly honed the art of consistency in the entertainment industry, showcasing top-notch performances that are marked by her expressive acting and authentic portrayal of roles. Her impressive skills always leave a lasting impression on the audience.
20:22 (IST) Apr 14
A netizen can't stop praising the film
19:51 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha's experience wearing heavy lehengas
Samantha commented on the weight of the custom-duty lehengas she wore during the film shoot. She said, "So Neeta Lulla ma'am had made some of the most beautiful costumes for 'Shaakuntalam.' There was this song where I had to wear a beautiful lehenga. She had kept dancing in mind and hence, made some lehengas lighter and some heavier, (like 30 kgs kinda heavy1). But what was meant to be for the song, didn't really happen, and I ended up wearing a 30 kg lehenga for the dance. When I was spinning, the lehenga would often take me out of my frame. My choreographer Raju sir would shout, 'can't you stay in the frame', and I would say, 'I tried, but the lehenga is taking me out of the frame. We had to take 10 to 15 takes because of that."
19:27 (IST) Apr 14
Noteworthy dialogues and top-notch music
Shaakuntalam is a stunning visual spectacle with exceptional technical brilliance and a well-crafted screenplay. The dialogues are noteworthy, and Mani Sharma's background music is of top-notch quality. Samantha Ruth Prabhu's performance is exceptional.
19:18 (IST) Apr 14
Letter from a Hindi fan of Samantha
19:00 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha's experience with accessory-induced allergies
While engaging in a conversation, Samantha disclosed that she had to adorn herself with floral accessories on her arms and neck, which subsequently led to her developing an allergy towards them. She said, "I shot all day without any complaints, and then in the evening, the imprint of the flower was all over my arm. I sort of had a flower tattoo on my arm for six months. I thought it was permanent because no one was able to fix it. I would put makeup on top. Eventually, it went away."
18:37 (IST) Apr 14
Kabir Duhan Singh is a well-known actor who has made a name for himself in the Telugu film industry. He is known for playing villainous roles in various films and has impressed the audience with his acting skills. In 'Shaakuntalam', he plays the character of King Asura. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Kabir discusses his experience of playing this challenging role, which involved wearing heavy costumes and performing intense fight scenes. He talks about how he prepared for the role, his interactions with the director and co-stars, and the challenges he faced during the shooting of the movie. He also shares his thoughts on the importance of strong characters and powerful storytelling in cinema.
17:57 (IST) Apr 14
'Shaakuntalam' in 3D
The 3D technology used in "Shaakuntalam" is not the usual gimmickry that is seen in most mainstream films. Instead, it is used to enhance the storytelling and to create an immersive experience for the viewers. The movie is shot entirely in natural locations, including forests and mountains, and the 3D technology brings these locations to life. The depth and realism of the images are so vivid that it feels like the audience is right there in the middle of the action.
17:31 (IST) Apr 14
A beautifully crafted epic romance with stunning visuals
'Shaakuntalam' is a charming romantic tale interwoven with captivating war scenes. Samantha Ruth Prabhu delivers a stunning performance and looks absolutely gorgeous. Allu Arha's appearance is endearing and heartwarming. The visual effects and 3D elements are well-executed.
17:03 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha's impressive Hindi speaking skills
At an event in Mumbai for her film 'Shaakuntalam', Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Hindi speaking skills received praise from social media users. She conveyed her message in Hindi. "'Shaakuntalam' trailer ko aap logo ne jaese support kiya hai aur ko pyaar diya hai uske liye bohut bohut shukriya. Mujhe umeed hai ki aap isi tarah mujhe aur Shaakuntalam ki team ko apne support denge aur is film ko sirf theatre mein jaake dekhenge. Thank you so so much."
16:46 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha's take on self-respect and self-love
Inquired by a fan, Samantha was asked to share her views on self-respect and self-love. She said, "When you don't look to others to define who you are. When you can be happy in your own company."
16:32 (IST) Apr 14
Against all odds
During a Twitter session for a question and answer, Samantha was asked by a user: "Where do you get your strength from? How do you keep going on strong despite so many things happening." Samantha replied: "Because this is not how my story will end I decide #Shaakuntalam".
16:16 (IST) Apr 14
In the words of Gunasekhar
According to Gunasekhar, Samantha was the perfect fit for the role and there was no one else who could have portrayed it better than her. He said, "The film traces the emotional journey of a woman who falls in love and the challenges fate throws at her. She's a character of inner strength who depicts her emotions with dignity and grace in all that she does. Her truth is her strength, all these emotions can only be portrayed by a wonderful performer like Samantha and she was our only choice to be able to create this epic".
15:58 (IST) Apr 14
The excitement didn't end
15:45 (IST) Apr 14
Gunasekhar revealed he had Samantha in mind when he was writing script for 'Shaakuntalam'
Gunasekhar revealed that he had Samantha in mind when he was writing the script for the historical drama. He further elaborated on this point by saying: "When I wanted to make the eternal love story of Shakuntala and Dushyant in an interesting backdrop of a beautiful whimsical forest much like a forest princess in a Disney kind of film, I wanted someone who could be relatable to the millennial audiences, and felt Samantha would be apt for this film and approached her."
15:30 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha dubs for herself for the first time in Hindi
Samantha's Hindi dubbing debut for 'Shaakuntalam' has been hailed as a game-changer for the film. Her voice adds a new dimension to the character of Shakuntala, bringing out her emotions and vulnerabilities in a more nuanced and powerful way. Samantha has put in a lot of effort to ensure that her dubbing is perfect, and it shows in the final product. Her voice is mellifluous and expressive, and it captures the essence of the character of Shakuntala beautifully.
14:52 (IST) Apr 14
Allu Arjun's wife, Allu Sneha congratulates daughter Allu Arha for her debut with 'Shaakuntalam', shares this picture
Allu Arjun's wife, Allu Sneha congratulates daughter Allu Arha for her debut with 'Shaakuntalam', shares this picture
14:44 (IST) Apr 14
A fan's review
14:32 (IST) Apr 14
A triumph of casting and performance
The world of the mythological story in 'Shaakuntalam' comes to life through the outstanding performances of the entire cast, particularly the lead actor, #SamanthaRuthPrabhu. Her performance is truly commendable! Additionally, she has dubbed her own voice in Hindi for the first time, which is likely to bolster her presence in the Hindi markets. Kudos on a job well done!
14:26 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha about regional films
During an interview, Samantha talked about the significant progress made by regional films in recent years. She mentioned that movies in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada have surpassed Hindi cinema in terms of box-office success. She said, "It's absolutely wonderful. There were times when we south actors couldn't source garments from designers because they were like, 'Who are you? South actor? What south?'"
13:55 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha's fans show their love with a stunning cutout
Samantha's fans show their love with a stunning cutout

Samantha Ruth Prabhu's fans have been showing their excitement and support in various ways. One of the most striking displays of their affection was the erection of a giant cutout of the actress at a theatre in Hyderabad, where the film is set to release. The cutout, which was several feet tall, featured Samantha in character as Shakuntala, holding flowers in a pot in one hand and wearing a traditional Indian white outfit.

13:45 (IST) Apr 14
Visual from inside a theatre
13:37 (IST) Apr 14
Allu Arjun sends best wishes to 'Shaakuntalam' team
All the best for Shaakuntalam release. My best wishes for Gunasekhar garu, Neelima Guna, and the producers for mounting up this epic project. My warmest wishes to my sweetest lady Samantha Ruth Prabhu. My Mallu brother Dev Mohan and and the entire team.
13:35 (IST) Apr 14
Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas about 'Shaakuntalam'
A visual treat created by Gunasekhar has come to life today! Samantha Ruth Prabhu's graceful and hardworking as always. All the best to the entire team of #Shaakuntalam."
13:09 (IST) Apr 14
Allu Arjun cheers daughter Allu Arha's debut film
"Hoping you all like the lil Cameo by Allu Arha. Special thanks to Gunasekhar garu for introducing her on screen and taking care of her so preciously. Will always cherish this sweet moment."
13:03 (IST) Apr 14
Shaakuntalam gets a thumbs up from RSS
The makers of 'Shaakuntalam' screening today. The RSS team not only loved the film but also appreciated it for being true to Indian values. The theatre witnessed a loud round of applause for bringing light to this mythological tale.
12:54 (IST) Apr 14
Raj and DK heaped praise on Samantha
''Sam, the world knows that the last few months haven't been easy for you, yet you powered through with willpower, determination and grit. You're a total trooper... time and again you've overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. God bless, stay strong and keep the fight on.''
12:40 (IST) Apr 14
Raj and DK expressed their admiration for 'Shaakuntalam'
Raj and DK expressed their admiration for the film on Twitter by saying, ''Magical visuals, authentic storytelling… this beautiful film is a Samantha show all the way! There could be no better ode to Kalidasa’s masterpiece. @Samanthaprabhu2 only you could have carried this huge epic on those slender shoulders! Kudos to the entire team! Must watch.''
12:31 (IST) Apr 14
Check-out what Prabhas's heroine has to say about Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Dev Mohan's #Shaakuntalam!
11:08 (IST) Apr 14
Its a celebratory time for team #Shaakuntalam, check-out what's happening infront of 'Devi' theater in Hyderabad...!
10:34 (IST) Apr 14
The entire cast of #Shaakuntalam truly brings to life the world of the mythological story and especially the lead, #SamanthaRuthPrabhu- what performance! She has also dubbed in Hindi herself for the first time with this one, and it is sure to strengthen her connect and
10:16 (IST) Apr 14
In this movie, one of the most revered poems by ancient Indian poet Kalidasa is retold on a grand scale. Whether the dreamlike milieu when Shakuntala (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and Dushyant (Dev Mohan) romance or the stark backdrop of war sequences, the production and visual appeal have been dialled up in a big way. The film quickly displays its CGI and action prowess when Dushyant valiantly saves a village from wild beasts, including tigers and wolves. The viewers are then introduced to Shakuntala and Dushyant’s love story in the high dynamic range, with an uber-colourful forest replete with butterflies, peacocks, deer and flora. The film does not lose its grip on grandiosity, including in the stop-motion animation of mythological backstories.
09:39 (IST) Apr 14
Seems like a few want to spread negative reviews even before the movie is fully watched....!
09:35 (IST) Apr 14
#Shaakunthalam..it is time to reclaim our heritage...every Indian must experience this @Samanthaprabhu2 rating: 4 stars
09:33 (IST) Apr 14
Samantha Ruth Prabhu Apologies!! for cancelling the movie shows at popular Prasads IMAX due to Ambedkar Jayanthi
09:23 (IST) Apr 14
Team #Shaakuntalam visits Tirumala Tirupati Devasathanams for divinely blessings on the day of the movie release....!
09:01 (IST) Apr 14
A few movie goers have very good words to say about the Samantha and Dev Mohan's #Shaakuntalam
08:41 (IST) Apr 14
A few movie critics are lauding the film for its story telling, grandeur and direction
08:39 (IST) Apr 14
Prasads IMAX shows in Hyderabad cancelled due to Ambedkar Statue Inauguration on account of Ambedkar Jayanthi....!
10 More Updates