Film Synopsis :- These days we hear Ramgopal Verma as a successful director who makes films that are trendsetters. This film , SHIVA , was his debut film and it released in 1989-90. A stark look at college life this film may be considered as the original trendsetter for his other films like Satya and the soon to be released COMPANY which glorifi(es)ed violence.

Faced with a decadent system, a rebellious youth Shiva (Nagarjuna) is forced to take the law in his own hands in order to protect his friends and family from the clutches of Bhavani (Raghuvaran). However in doing so he gets drawn into the web of organized crime so much so that he becomes a "GOONDA" with a humane face....

This film also saw the launch of the Nagarjuna-Amala combo which though started off as a reel relationship but it soon became a real life relationship so much so that Nagarjuna divorced his first wife and ended up marrying him. Incidently AMALA has a unique parental heritage (Bengali Father and French Mother). !

This film also saw the launch of Chakravarty (Satya), whose name in this film happened to be J Durga Rao aka J D and that name tag stuck onto him forever - JD Chakravarty

Director :- Ram Gopal Varma

Music Director :- Illayaraja

Actors/Actresses :- Nagarjuna, Amala, Raghuvaran, JD Chakravarty, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Murali Mohan, and others.

DVD Video :- NTSC, with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, non-anamorphic

DVD Audio :- Indicated on the cover as DD 5.1 surround sound, but actually it seems like 2 channel stereo sound panned on all channels (YUCK !)

DVD Author :- (Unknown)

DVD Rights Holder :- EVP International

Subtitles :- None

Extras :- None
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This is one of the major disappointments from EVP in terms of overall DVD presentation. The DVD begins promisingly with neat chapters,songs and star cast menu. However when it comes to hiiting it big time, the picture quality is abominable. The source used in (most probably) an interlaced video sourcem which results in a dull and soft video output throught the picture minus some stationary scenes. Once there is motion in the film we can see severe motion artifacts. Compounded with the fact that the original master source used for transfer suffers from wear and tear. Hence it can be concluded that no real effort was taken to do a professional restoration work which is all the more appling considering the fact that this film was released in the late 1980's-early 1990's. :angry: Video - 4.5/10

There are also no subtitles in this DVD. So this limits the reach of this classic cult film to people who have knowledge of Telugu only. Adding insult to injury, there are no extras in this DVD. Extras - 0/10

The only redeeming feature in this DVD happens to be its audio, though if one looks at it from a Global perspective it is pointless. However even in this department there has been a major screw-up. This film was released in a 2 channel stereo mode. However this 2 channel stereo has been panned into a 5.1 audio making it quite useless ( as the very essence of a 5.1 audio is lost ). However unlike many other Telugu DVDs in the market this DVd does not have hissing in its audio presentation making it just bearable. Audio - 4.0/10

Based on the above facts I think I would not like to recommend this DVD, until a proper version of this film is released, the chances of which happening are dismal anyways. Overall - 4.0/10

Here are the screenshots of the film :-

Good review, sk.

good review sk. Shiva is one of the worst DVDs done by EVP but better than 99% of Telugu DVDs(pity me ).

Sudhakar of EVP told me a while back that there were given such trashed up print of Shiva by the producers and in the end he got so frustrated that he threw that whole film.

I guess being such a Super Hit movie, the producers didn't care to save a few master prints of this great trend setter for future digital transfers. Too bad that most of the producers care only about short-term gains in our part of the country!



Edited By kpolina on Mar. 16 2002 at 00:02

Even new films released today are dying a new death as Indian Labs treat them with lack of care.

One of the worst cover designs I have seen.

Sknath, does this film depend on dialogue to get the story across? It looks interesting, but the lack of subtitles is kind of a turn-off.

even though the dialogues in this movie also created a new trend, it still can be enjoyed and understood without the subtitles. I just hope Telugu DVDs are marketed better with improved quality. Maybe, a remastered Shiva with improved audio and video might get that started.

Great film(saw it only once when i was in India a few years back), great review and a real bad cover!

I finally watched this film today, and it is very good. I can see how it was a trendsetter. Did this film make Nagarjuna famous or was he famous before this?

The former...(considering this film followed after this other mega hit that year Geetanjali)....Its a pity RGV did not stick around to give us such hard hitting films again

Nagarjuna was popular before this film a la Mani Ratnam's Geethanjali, and his fathers backing ANR. But this film is the highlight of his career.

DragunR2, did you catch it on EVP DVD with subs? I want to watch this film again, but the DVD sucks. Raghuvaran is just amazing. Ilaiyaraaja's album is a tremendous success. I still listen to this album! It makes my all time favorites list in every department.

Never noticed this review SK, nice one

I downloaded it, without subs.

Great use of Steadicam in this film. IR's music and score are quite good too.

I can't imagine how they shot that chase with Nag and his sister on the bike. It looked extremely dangerous.

Yes that was indeed the highlight of the film..In fact the first instance of anyone using it in India...(and more so in a Telugu film)... That film was "THE FILM"...when we were in our 10 Grade....!
Botany paatahm Vundi Matinee aata Vundi Deniko Votu CheppuRa..
Yenniallo Malliallo
..etc etc etc...
even that crappy
Sarasalu chaalu sreevaru...became a hit..( call it the induction effect )

Isnt there a shemaroo dvd of this film too in hindi?

Yes.

Thanks

Is music still by IR on this one in hindi?