Shaakuntalam team unveils Samantha’s queen look; here’s how much the makers spent on the jewellery

Samantha, after the success of her action thriller Yashoda in 2022, is gearing up for the release of her epic drama Shaakuntalam on April 14 this year. Dev Mohan plays the male lead in the film directed by Gunasekhar and produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations and Gunaa Team Works. In an interaction today, the team launched Samantha’s queen look from the film.

There are two looks for Samantha in Shaakuntalam - as a damsel in a forest and later as a queen. Needless to say, the Kushi actress looked ethereal in a regal avatar, sporting a 13-metre long costume, transporting viewers to a different timeline. The actress has always spoken of her interest to take up a costume drama and the look proves how she’s ideally suited for historic roles.

Also read: Shaakuntalam: Here's what Samantha had to say after watching the first copy 

During the look reveal, the Shaakuntalam team elaborately discussed the efforts that went into the jewellery and the costumes. Neelima Guna, actor Dev Mohan, Hanshitha Reddy, Gunasekhar, costume designer Neeta Lulla and jewellery designers Neha and Vasundhara graced the event.

“While viewers may simply call the queen look ‘beautiful’, there are so many layers beneath that avatar. Jewellery is so integral to a period film, it completes the look and aesthetic of the film, the vision of the director. Filmmaking is all about team work,” Neeta Lulla shared. Samantha’s jewellery for the queen look has four layers in addition to five layers of hair accessories.

Also read: Shaakuntalam: Samantha surprises fans with new photoshoot pics as part of the mythological flick's promotion 

“Samantha wore heavy jewellery with so much dedication. It was hand manufactured according to a periodic era and this was our passion area. We loved the opportunity to work on Shaakuntalam. Pulling off Dev Mohan’s look wasn’t easy but we forgot all the hardwork once he donned the jewellery. He brought charm to the look,” the jewellery designers shared.

“I didn’t go to gym for a week after wearing the ornaments for the film. I had a different set of jewels to wear everyday, but it has been an amazing journey because of the vision that our director Gunasekhar had for the film. For someone who worked with Samantha for many days, even I am in awe of her queen look. I believe we made a special film,” Dev Mohan added..

“Many asked me the inspiration behind using real gold for Shaakuntalam; NTR did that many years before with Daana Veera Soora Karna. He is the reason and inspiration behind mythology films today. Neelima and the designers displayed great taste for history and art,” Gunasekhar said.

On the whole, Rs 14 crore worth jewellery with real gold and diamonds were used for Shaakuntalam. “Everyone came to the set with great excitement, of course the women were more excited. Menaka’s look for the film, played by Madhoo, had real diamonds worth Rs 6-7 crores. You can also get a taste of Dushyanth kingdom’s glory in the film too,” the director mentioned.

Neelima Guna, Hanshitha Reddy credited the actors, designers for spending sleepless nights to translate Gunasekhar’s vision into reality.