‘Mayasabha' review: A gripping political drama
Deva Katta makes a powerful comeback with Mayasabha, a bold and layered political web series that dives deep into the turbulent world of Andhra Pradesh politics. Now streaming on Sony LIV and OTTplay Premium, the nine-episode first season is a slow-burn that gradually erupts into a compelling, high-stakes drama. With stellar performances from Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao, and a daring yet balanced narrative, Mayasabha proves to be a standout addition to Telugu OTT content.
Inspired by the real-life political journeys of Nara Chandrababu Naidu and YS Rajasekhar Reddy, though presented as fictional, Mayasabha chronicles the rise of two ambitious young men—Krishnama Naidu and Rami Reddy—from student politics to positions of immense power. The show focuses not just on their ideological clashes, but also their personal sacrifices, friendships, and the deeply entrenched caste politics that shaped Andhra's past.
Deva Katta's storytelling is backed by extensive research, evident in the attention to period detail—from college campuses of the 80s to political rallies and pressrooms. The first few episodes focus on character-building and social context, setting the stage for a dramatic turn in the second half. The pacing may feel measured early on, but patience is rewarded with powerful confrontations and gripping sequences that highlight both emotional depth and political strategy.
Aadhi Pinisetty delivers a career-best performance as the stammering yet strong-willed Krishnama. His internal battles and transformation are portrayed with authenticity and nuance. Chaitanya Rao surprises with an intense, charismatic turn as Rami Reddy, mastering the Rayalaseema dialect and owning every frame he appears in. Together, their dynamic forms the emotional and political core of the show.
The supporting cast elevates the series even further. Sai Kumar, as a character resembling NTR, and Nasser as a media magnate inspired by Ramoji Rao, bring gravitas and nostalgia. Divya Dutta, Tanya Ravichandran, and Srikanth Iyengar round out a solid ensemble.
Technically, Mayasabha impresses with sharp cinematography, detailed production design, and well-crafted dialogues. The show doesn't shy away from controversial topics like caste-based politics, yet handles them with surprising maturity and balance. Ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger, Mayasabha sets the tone for what promises to be an even more explosive second season. For anyone intrigued by political history or powerful storytelling, this is a must-watch.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Karan Johar says Bollywood has a 'director crisis' for mass action films: 'They emulate south, fall flat on their face'
The mass action genre has invaded Bollywood again over the last few years. After years of making comedies and romances, Hindi cinema went back to large-scale event films with the success of similar films in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema. However, the results have been mixed. Filmmaker Karan Johar believes it is because the current crop of directors in the industry simply do not have the skills to mount such films. Karan Johar opens up on event films in Hindi cinema. Karan Johar on event films in Hindi cinema In a conversation with Suchin Mehrotra on The Streaming Show podcast, Karan was asked if Bollywood has a 'director crisis' when it comes to big-scale event films, as most such films are made by directors from the south. Karan responded, "It is a director crisis. You can't think of more than a name or two. There isn't anyone, because that entire generation spent their time watching a different kind of Hindi cinema, nurtured on a different kind of cinema. Globalisation, the Shah Rukh Khan phenomenon, stories shot outside the country, they love all that, but haven't been able to do that front-footed testosterone cinema. They have never known it. Now, they can't learn it. So, they emulate it and fall flat on their face." 'Thank God for Saiyaara' Karan has been vocal in his praise for filmmakers from the south, such as SS Rajamouli, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and Prasanth Neel, who are known to mount these event films. In the interview, he said that Bollywood directors need to go back to what they know best, and cited Saiyaara as an example. "So, probably, we don't have the directors to mount those kinds of films. So, if we can't, then thank God for Saiyaara. This, we can do. When I met Mohit Suri, he told me that all the filmmakers from the south called him, and it was so gratifying to know, because we are the ones calling them. We are always picking up the phone, telling them how incredible their films are. We do one thing well, so let's do that. Let's go back to our storytelling," Karan added. Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri, starred newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in the lead. It has become the highest-grossing love story in Indian cinema, grossing over ₹500 crore worldwide. Karan Johar's recent work Karan's last directorial was a romantic drama, as well. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, grossed over ₹300 crore upon its release in 2023. It recently won a National Film Award, too.
Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
War 2 box office collection worldwide Day 2: Hrithik Roshan reclaims territory, Jr NTR's contribution declines as film passes Rs 100 crore mark on Independence Day
War 2 Box Office Collection Day 2: After a rather underwhelming opening at the ticket windows, Ayan Mukerji's War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR in the lead roles, witnessed a significant turnaround on its second day. Benefiting from the Independence Day holiday, the film saw a healthy rise in collections. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, War 2 earned approximately Rs 56.5 crore (India net) across all languages on Day 2, marking an almost 10% growth from its opening day figure of Rs 51.5 crore. The Day 1 split included Rs 29 crore in Hindi, Rs 22.25 crore in Telugu, and Rs 0.25 crore in Tamil. With this, the film has crossed the Rs 100 crore milestone within just two days of release. The Hindi version of War 2 recorded an overall occupancy rate of 51.52% on Day 2, and made around Rs 40 crore. Morning shows began with a modest 27.16% occupancy, which jumped to 58.71% in the afternoon, peaked at 63.86% in the evening, and saw a slight dip to 56.36% during the night shows. In terms of regional performance, Chennai outperformed all other cities with a staggering 94.75% occupancy. Hyderabad followed closely with 80%, and Lucknow recorded a strong 73.75%. In the Telugu markets, the film saw a remarkable overall occupancy of 68.99%, likely boosted by Jr. NTR's massive fan following. But its overall contribution was lower than day one. Tamil screenings also performed well with an overall occupancy of 54.85%, both significantly higher than the Hindi belt. Also Read | Coolie and War 2 expose the futility of milking the Pan-India dream War 2, the sixth installment in YRF's Spy Universe, also stars Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor, and features Bobby Deol in a cameo. Notably, its two-day collection has already surpassed that of its predecessor War, which made Rs 77.77 crore in the same period. It has also overtaken the two-day collection of the last spy universe actioner Tiger 3 (Rs 103.75 crore), starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. However, the film still trails behind Jr NTR's last outing, Devara Part One, which posted a staggering Rs 120.7 crore by its second day. Reportedly made on a massive budget of Rs 325 crore, War 2 is in direct box office competition with Rajinikanth's Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. While Coolie won the opening day with Rs 65 crore, War 2 pulled ahead on Day 2 with its Rs 56.5 crore haul, as Coolie saw a significant drop, collecting only Rs 53.5 crore. Despite strong openings, both films have received largely negative reviews from critics and audiences alike, with criticism focused on convoluted storylines and underwhelming set pieces. It remains to be seen which film will have the last laugh as the box office race continues.
NDTV
24 minutes ago
- NDTV
PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Rajinikanth On "50 Glorious Years" In Cinema. Actor's Reply
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth on completing 50 'glorious' years in the film industry on Friday, praising his remarkable journey and the enduring impact of his work on audiences across generations. Dropping a photo with the Thalaivar, PM Modi penned on his X (formerly Twitter) handle: 'Congratulations to Thiru Rajinikanth on completing 50 glorious years in the world of cinema. His journey has been iconic, with his diverse roles having left a lasting impact on the minds of people across generations." "Wishing him continued success and good health in the times to come," the Prime Minister added. Rajinikanth re-shared the tweet and wrote, "Respected @narendramodi Modi ji, I am deeply grateful for your warm wishes. It is truly an honour to receive them from a leader I have long held in the highest regard. Thank you for your kind words. Jai Hind." Respected @narendramodi Modi ji, I am deeply grateful for your warm wishes. It is truly an honour to receive them from a leader I have long held in the highest regard. Thank you for your kind words. 🙏🏻 Jai Hind 🇮🇳 — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) August 15, 2025 Rajinikanth, one of the most celebrated figures in Indian cinema, commenced his cinematic journey back in 1975 with the Tamil film "Apoorva Raagangal", directed by K. Balachander. Over the decades, he has acted in over 160 films across Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, earning a reputation for his distinctive style, powerful screen presence, and ability to connect with audiences of all ages. Fondly called 'Thalaivar' (leader) by his fans, the 73-year-old superstar has delivered numerous box office hits, including "Baashha", "Enthiran", "Kabali", "Jailer", and "Robot", to name just a few.
