In "Shankardada", Chiranjeevi picks up a role that is a rare blend of comedy and emotion and delivers a knockout performance as a goon-turned-doctor.

He does a few intricate dance numbers and punches a few thugs to enthral his fans, provided they overlook the unnecessary changes made from the well-knit original version "Munnabhai M.B.B.S."

Hindi actor Paresh Rawal comes up trumps, as the strict principal and pretty Sonali Bendre is impressive as the soft-spoken love of the hero, while Srikanth excels as Chiru's close friend.

The comedy-sentimental blend has its clumsy moments. Agreed that doctors should treat their patients with a bit of humanism, but the idea of curing a patient in coma by just conversing with him is grossly exaggerated.

The audience has received Chiru well in a role with negative shades, though the comic caper comes after anger-driven films like "Indra" and "Tagore".

Srikanth breathes life into the role of a goon who supports his friend in all aspects while veterans Girish Karnad and Nirmala do their bit.

Composer Devisri Prasad's title number and "Naa pere Kanchana" have been chartbusters, and Chiru elevates them with his stylised dancing.

He excels in the last scene when he walks out of the college, unable to save a young patient. It is long since the action hero had tears in his eyes but he touches many a heart.

Sonali aptly fits into the soft role, playing hide and seek with the hero before tying the knot.

The story is about Chiru, a dreaded goon, who lies to his parents (Girsh Karnad and Nirmala) that he is a practising medico. He gets exposed when his father approaches old friend and principal Paresh to ask for Sonali's hand for Chiru.

Paresh insults them and they walk out on Chiru, vowing never to return. To fulfil their wish and to teach a lesson to Paresh, Chiru joins a medical college run by Paresh after cheating in the entrance exam. Paresh is unable to expel him.