Shakti which means Power or Strength is a powerful film. It had many great things coming together and had a strong storyline and powerful performances. The story of the film revolves around crime and how one gets lured into it. Here , it is the Scrupulously honest Police Officer DCP Aswini Kumar ( Dilip Kumar ) who becomes the target . His son Vijay is kidnapped and the criminals place their demands in exchange for Vijay's life. But Ashwini Kumar refuses to honor their demands . Vijay escapes with the help of one of the criminals who takes pity on the little boy.

This incident leaves a permanent scar on Vijay ( Amitabh Bachan )who grows up to be a rebel , never coming to terms with the trauma he had undergone during his childhood. He is angry and disillusioned with his father.....He meets the small time gangster who had helped him and joins him in his criminal activities which makes his relationship with his father further deteriorate. This state of things cause anguish to his mother who is unable to take sides...

Ramesh Sippy, the director of the film became a legend after he produced and directed Sholay, which went on to become one of the most successful films ever in the history of Indian Cinema.

Shakti in my opinion had a more original storyline. It had 3 great stars in Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachan and Raakhee.
The film gave ample opportunity for these fine actors to give out their best, and, each one of them came up with fine performances.
I would consider Shakti as one of Amitabh's best ever performances and as one of his best films to date.

He did have the oft played angry young man's role no doubt , but there were other shades added like his love for his mother played by Raakhee, who has played his leading lady in many films earlier and his relationship with his girl friend/wife played by Smita Patil.
The father-son relationship never takes off after the childhood trauma. There are some great scenes shared by the two biggies Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachan . It is a pleasure to watch them perform together on screen.

Personally, I felt that they were equally good . Pages have been written about these confrontation scenes where fans from both sides claiming that their idol was better in all those scenes...They are both extremely talented actors , with very powerful screen presence and make great impact on the screen.

Rakhee has some good scenes for herself with Dilip Kumar as well as Amitabh and one is never disappointed by her performance in any film.
Smitha Patil, one of the most talented actresses of the eighties, unfortunately has been left out , relegated to the background. She has a small role, a couple of well picturised songs and thats it ! I personally felt that she wasted in the film, though she looks pretty and looks good with Amitabh..

Ramesh Sippy has done a great job with the film. the music is good, but not extraordinarily so. It is at best melodious eighties music. There are 2 songs which are memorable - the Kishore Kumar , Lata Mangeshkar duet ' Are jaane kaise kab kahan' and Lata mangeshkar's solo ' Humne sanam ko khat likaa' both of them picturised on Amitabh and Smita.

A good film not to be missed...