‘Shashtipoorthi’ Movie Review

Introduction:

Shashtipoorthi is a Telugu family drama directed by Pawan Prabha, featuring veteran actor Rajendra Prasad in a pivotal role. The film stars newcomers Rupesh and Akanksha Singh in the lead roles. While Rajendra Prasad continues to make his mark in both star-driven and new-age films, this story leans heavily on emotional connections and familial relationships. Let’s explore whether Shashtipoorthi manages to leave an impact.

Plot Summary:

Sri Ram (played by Rupesh) is raised with strong values—honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. Despite being distant from his parents Divakar (Rajendra Prasad) and Bhuvana (Archana), he works as a government lawyer. His life takes a turn when Janaki (Akanksha Singh) enters the picture and love blossoms between them. But things take a turn when Sri Ram, known for his morals, takes questionable decisions for his lover’s sake. 

How did he accumulate wealth? What led to his transformation? Why did he decide to organize a Shashtipoorthi (60th birthday celebration) for his estranged parents after years of silence? What incident triggered this decision? And what is the reason behind the strained relationship between Divakar and Bhuvana? The rest of the story reveals these answers.

Analysis:

The core story of Shashtipoorthi is quite basic. The director attempts to weave a simple message into a love story, aiming to highlight emotional layers tied to family values and generational disconnect. However, the execution falls short in delivering the emotional weight the narrative demands.

While the intent to discuss fading family bonds in modern society is commendable, the screenplay lacks depth. The film fails to establish the emotional connect required for a drama of this nature. Emotional scenes feel underdeveloped, and the pacing is noticeably slow, especially in the first half. This sluggish narrative diminishes the audience’s engagement and lowers expectations for the second half.

The love angle between the lead pair gets more focus than the emotional core of the story, which leads to imbalance. Also, key plot points are revealed too late, and the second half tries to cram too much too fast, making the storytelling feel rushed and chaotic. With better characterization and tighter screenplay, the film could have had a stronger emotional pull.

Performances:

Rupesh, though not entirely unconvincing in his debut, still has room for improvement, especially given the competition in today's industry. Akanksha Singh looks appealing and does justice to a role that offers limited scope but decent screen presence.

Rajendra Prasad is undoubtedly the film’s biggest asset. His presence brings gravitas, and his performance stands out. Archana also does a fair job in a subdued role.

Technical Aspects:

Ilaiyaraaja’s music is the soul of Shashtipoorthi. The background score elevates several scenes and adds the much-needed emotional layer to the narrative. Thota Tharani’s art work is notable and reflects his signature style. Ram Reddy’s cinematography and the production values are commendable, contributing positively to the film’s aesthetics.

Final Verdict:

Shashtipoorthi is a moderately satisfying watch for audiences who enjoy films centered on family and emotional bonds. However, a slow narrative, weak screenplay, and lack of fresh scenes prevent it from being a memorable experience. The film may resonate with a niche audience but lacks the depth and pace needed to appeal broadly.