Story
Kakarla Krishnama Naidu (Aadhi Pinisetti) hails from a poor farming family, while MS Rami Reddy (Chaitanya Rao Madadi) comes from a wealthy household led by his factionist father. RCR (Sai Kumar) is the biggest star in Telugu cinema. Mayasabha delves into the intertwined journeys of these three individuals and how the political destiny of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh becomes linked to them.

This series can be viewed in two ways - as pure fiction or as a narrative inspired by real-life figures like Chandra Babu Naidu, YSR, NTR and Indira Gandhi.

Artists Performance

Aadhi Pinisetti may not physically resemble Chandra Babu Naidu, but his performance is outstanding. His voice is a major asset, and he convincingly portrays a man who has overcome stuttering. The highlight is his final episode speech - panting while delivering an emotionally charged address - which feels both powerful and authentic.

Chaitanya Rao Madadi is the film’s biggest surprise. Bearing a close resemblance to YSR, he delivers a flawless performance and matches Aadhi’s intensity, creating a natural camaraderie between their characters.

Sai Kumar impressively brings to life the aura of the great actor-turned-political legend NTR. Divya Dutta shines in a role reminiscent of Indira Gandhi, embodying the poise and authority of the “Iron Lady.” Nassar is effective as a media baron inspired by Ramoji Rao. Shatru leaves an impression as Vangaveeti Ranga despite limited screen time, while Ravindra Vijay nails the portrayal of Paritala Ravi. Srikanth Iyengar offers entertainment as Nadendla Bhaskar Rao, a role written in a caricature style. Tanya Ravichandran delivers a strong performance, and Deva Darshini makes a notable special appearance as Lakshmi Parvathi. Sammeta Gandhi impresses as Paritala Sreeramulu.

The show-stealer, however, is Shankar Mahanthi as Raja Reddy (YSR’s father). His performance, brimming with swagger and presence, is phenomenal and deserves more author-backed roles in the future. Raghu Babu appears in a brief role as a commercial film director. Sivayya is entertaining as Robert, the boisterous, hard-drinking MLA from Railway Kodur.

Story - screenplay - direction: The story spans from the late 1960s to 1983, using the 1995 Viceroy Hotel incident as a narrative hook. The first episode opens with this event, and the final episode closes on it, suggesting that season 2 will delve into it in detail.

Writer-director Deva Katta succeeds in portraying the two lead characters as flawless, idealistic friends. Even when they commit immoral or unethical acts, he presents them convincingly without tarnishing their image. All other characters, however, are shown in various shades of grey. Deva Katta’s hallmark—his deep understanding of the political system and sharp dialogues—shines here. The decision to open with the Viceroy Hotel episode (also used in the teaser) is a masterstroke.

The narrative interweaves six key storylines - CBN, YSR, NTR, Indira Gandhi, Paritala Ravi, and Vangaveeti Ranga - bringing them together whenever needed to sustain engagement. The female leads are fictional, with Tanya Ravichandran’s role standing out for its depth. Babu Rao’s character adds a comic touch, while Robert entertains with his drunken innocence. Shiva Reddy’s character feels authentic, blending heroism with charm.

Deva Katta’s dialogues on the caste system are powerful, sparing no caste. He effectively depicts how caste evolved into a mob mentality over time. The leads’ personal journeys are also compelling: Naidu strives to prove that farming isn’t the only livelihood for his community and that a non-Reddy can lead, while Reddy works to rise above the stigma of his father’s rowdy image, proving himself as a doctor before a politician.

The first episode is excellent. The early episodes focus on character and conflict setup, while the last three grip you from the NTR–Indira face-off onward. Subtle details, like Naidu using hand gestures during Iravati’s visit because she doesn’t understand Telugu, enrich the realism.

For those who followed politics in the early ’80s, the series offers nostalgia and insight into the feudal structures of Rayalaseema. Blending fact with fiction heightens the drama, though portraying both leads as entirely flawless feels unrealistic.

Deva Katta and Kiran Jay Kumar handle the story with dignity, avoiding bias toward any character or caste. Season 2 will be a challenge, as it must address sensitive events such as Ranga’s murder, NTR’s second marriage, and Lakshmi Parvathi’s influence.

Other departments: Cinematography by Suresh Ragutu and Gnana Sekhar VS is outstanding, especially in the numerous outdoor sequences where the visuals perfectly align with the director’s vision. Shakthikanth Karthik delivers superb background music, while the songs carry a vintage charm. The makers have creatively adapted the popular Darasadhi Krishnamacharyulu song “ఆ చల్లని సముద్ర గర్భం దాచిన బడబానలమెంతో…” for a key emotional moment.

Praveen KL’s editing is sharp, and the production design is top-notch. The assembly set is particularly impressive, and the transformation of the British Residency into Gandhi Bhavan for two pivotal scenes - the MLA candidate selection and the first interaction between RCR and Iravati - stands out. Producers Vijay Krishna Lingamaneni and Sree Harsha ensured the series exudes richness in both production and technical values.

Analysis: In recent years, Telugu cinema has seen several political biopics, most of which were agenda-driven, backed by political parties, and inclined toward glorifying one leader while ridiculing another. Mayasabha stands apart as an exception. It approaches the subject with a neutral perspective, delving into the roots of our political system. Both central leaders are portrayed in a positive light, depicted as close friends whose differences are purely ideological.

Mayasabha works well as a fictional narrative, but resonates even more when audiences connect its characters and incidents to real-life figures and events. While there are minor drawbacks - such as portraying both leaders as idealistic and a slight dip in tempo in a couple of episodes - the series remains thoroughly engaging and entertaining. It’s certainly worth watching for Deva Katta’s deep political insight, sharp dialogues, and well-crafted characterisations.

PS: I’d love to see a spin-off OTT film with Shiva Reddy as the central character.