Shaakuntalam: Dev Mohan and Samantha are besotted with one another in Madhura Gathamaa, Mani Sharma’s melodic delight

While frequent release postponements are not believed to be ideal for a biggie, they can prove to be a blessing in disguise on a few occasions and give viewers enough time to understand the world of a film better. Shaakuntalam’s theatrical release may have been pushed from February 17 to April 14 but the epic drama can certainly benefit from Mani Sharma’s mellifluous album in these two months.

The fourth single from the film, Madhura Gathamaa, sung by Armaan Malik and Shreya Ghoshal, lyricised by Shreemani was launched on Tuesday commemorating Valentine’s Day. Much like the previous numbers, this is a melody, focusing on a prince who’s clearly besotted by the woman of her dreams. The song is picturised on the leads Dev Mohan and Samantha.

Shreemani summarises the story of Shaakuntalam succinctly in Madhura Gathamaa, referring to a ring that alters the course of king Dushyanta and Shakuntala’s relationship. The opening lines, Madhura gathamaa..Kaalanne aapaka…Aagave saagaka..Angulikamaa jaalainaa choopaka…Chejaaraave vanchikaa, are a reference to the couple’s happy past and how they’re yet to get past those memories.

Despite the fact that they’re not together anymore, the two make promises of standing by each other and are hopeful of uniting soon; the lyric ‘Hrudhaya sagamaa..Nee vente thodugaa..Ney nelenaa needagaa’ justifies the same. The mood of the song is unique - the protagonists are sad about their separation though they find solace through their past. Mani Sharma gives just the eternal, classical touch to their romance that drives the film.

Gunasekhar has directed the film jointly produced by Neelima Guna and Dil Raju under Gunaa Team Works and Sri Venkateswara Creations. Sachin Khedekar, Jisshu Sengupta, Gauthami, Aditi Balan, Ananya Nagalla, Mohan Babu, Krishnam Raju essay crucial roles in the film too. Edited by Prawin Pudi, Shaakuntalam has cinematography by Shekar V Joseph. Ashok is the art director.