Mayasabha OTT Review: Deva Katta’s most layered work!

Intense political dramas are a rare breed in Telugu storytelling, with few filmmakers daring to tackle the genre head-on. Among them, Deva Katta stands out for his gritty political films like Prasthanam and Republic. Now, he returns with Mayasabha, a Sony LIV original series that blends political narrative with deeply personal storytelling.

Mayasabha is a fictionalised series inspired by pivotal political events in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh between 1974 and 2009. The first season chronicles incidents up to 1983, a time when the Telugu political landscape was shifting dramatically. While many expected the series to court controversy by drawing heavily from real-life political figures and incidents, directors Deva Katta and Kiran Jay Kumar steer the focus towards the personal journeys of two ambitious individuals. Rather than calling it a story of political giants N. Chandrababu Naidu and Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, the story follows the rise of an idealistic young student leader and a principled doctor from a factionist family, two men navigating personal hardships, societal prejudices, and the cutthroat world of politics.

Calling Mayasabha merely a political drama would be doing it an injustice. Beneath the political canvas lies a story of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, heartbreak, and human resilience. The writing fleshes out its central characters, Kakarla Krishnama Naidu KKN (Aadi Pinishetty) and MS Rami Reddy MSR (Chaitanya Rao), with emotional depth, making their evolution as compelling as their political ascent. This is more than just the story of two political heavyweights, it is an exploration of how personal bonds can be forged and broken in the unforgiving arena of power.

The ensemble cast delivers across the board. Divya Dutta is menacing and magnetic as the cunning Iravati Basu. Sai Kumar exudes charisma as RCR, a film star turned political force. Srikanth Iyengar’s witty turn as Chevella Babu Rao adds levity. Nasser, Ravindra Vijay, Tanya Ravichandran, and Shatru make strong impressions in their roles.

However, it is Aadi Pinishetty and Chaitanya Rao who shoulder the series. Their chemistry anchors the narrative, whether in their first meeting, a tense discussion on caste, or their eventual split into opposing political camps. Aadi portrays KKN’s journey from an insecure, stammering and heartbroken youth to a confident political figure with finesse. Chaitanya surprises with a commanding performance as MSR, a man of conviction battling discrimination and religious prejudice.

The layered writing ensures the series stays gripping from start to finish. It opens with the infamous Ashram Hotel incident, offering an intriguing glimpse into the unlikely bond between KKN and MSR, and closes with MSR declaring that their rivalry has only just begun, a perfect cliffhanger for the next season.

Technically, Mayasabha impresses. Shaktikanth Karthick’s background score elevates the drama, with a catchy title theme that lingers. The cinematography and production design convincingly recreate the look and feel of the 70s and 80s, adding to the show’s authenticity.

Verdict: Overall, Mayasabha is a richly textured political saga anchored by strong performances and an emotional core. It’s not just binge-worthy, it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves a good story where politics meets humanity.

Rating: 3.25/5

By: TC Team

Web Series: Mayasabha
Cast: Aadhi Pinisetty, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Sai Kumar, Divya Dutta, Tanya Ravichandran, Ravindra Vijay, Shatru, and others
Producers: Vijay Krishna, Lingamaneni, Sree Harsha
Directors: Deva Katta, Kiran Jay Kumar
Streaming on: Sony LIV