‘Mayasabha’ Series Review — A Bold Political Drama That Aims High
Political dramas never lose their charm because they bring together ambition, ideology, betrayal, and the constant push-and-pull for power. Mayasabha: The Rise of the Titans walks confidently into that space and delivers a story that thrives on human ambition and moral conflict. Deva Katta, known for Prasthanam, joined hands with writer Kiran Jay Kumar to create this Telugu-language series that began streaming on SonyLIV from August 7, 2025. The series spans over two decades, from the 1970s to 1995, and follows how two friends and political allies evolve into bitter rivals.
The Story: Ideals Collide with Identity
At the heart of Mayasabha stand two towering characters — Krishnam Naidu and M.S.R. Both start their journeys with common goals, fighting for social justice and a better political culture. Krishnam Naidu believes that the needs of the people must rise above caste considerations. M.S.R., on the other hand, feels that social reform cannot succeed unless it directly uplifts communities through caste identity.
Their friendship begins with respect and mutual admiration, but politics tests every bond. As elections, coalition deals, and shifting voter loyalties start influencing decisions, the two men take different paths. Their journey shows how political ambition often bends principles, and how personal relationships rarely survive the weight of power struggles.
Release and Reach
SonyLIV released Mayasabha in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, aiming to make it a national event. By translating the show into multiple languages, the makers positioned it to appeal not just to Telugu-speaking audiences but to viewers across India. The streaming platform promoted it as one of its flagship August releases, knowing that political dramas with strong performances could cut across regions.
Lead Performances
Aadhi Pinisetty delivers a layered performance as Krishnam Naidu, showing a mix of quiet strength, moral conflict, and eventual weariness. His expressions carry the weight of a man who wants to change the system without losing his soul.
Chaitanya Rao Madadi plays M.S.R. with sharp conviction. His character believes in power as a tool for upliftment, even if it means using caste influence strategically. He brings an energy that contrasts with Aadhi’s measured calm, creating a compelling push-and-pull throughout the season.
The chemistry between the two leads drives the narrative. Viewers constantly shift loyalties between them as the series explores moments where each man appears justified in his actions.
Strong Supporting Cast
The ensemble cast adds depth to the political landscape. Sai Kumar, Divya Dutta, Nassar, Tanya Ravichandran, Ravindra Vijay, and Shatru play key roles as political operatives, family members, and loyalists. Their performances flesh out the murky, multi-layered world of politics. Every side character adds pressure, manipulates situations, or challenges the leads, ensuring no scene feels wasted.
Direction and Writing
Deva Katta directs the series with a clear intention to portray politics not as background noise but as the heart of the drama. He builds scenes around negotiation tables, rally stages, and tense party meetings where one wrong move can end a career. Writer Kiran Jay Kumar helps craft dialogues that reveal political realities without slipping into mere exposition.
The storytelling style focuses on gradual escalation rather than constant twists. Early episodes build the world, while later ones push characters into corners where they must make irreversible choices. When the script works, it delivers sharp moments where ideals clash with the compromises of governance.
However, the pacing sometimes drags. Some episodes rely heavily on speeches to convey political stakes when they could have shown the same through actions, expressions, or silent confrontations. This tendency to over-explain occasionally slows down the otherwise intense flow.
Cinematography and Production
Cinematographers Suresh Ragutu and Gnana Shekar V.S. capture the look and feel of the era with grounded visuals. The camera lingers on dusty rally grounds, modest party offices, and candle-lit strategy meetings. Editor Praveen K.L. keeps transitions clean, letting scenes breathe without cutting away too fast. The production team clearly worked to ensure that the period setting feels authentic without becoming overly stylized.
Political Drama Without Caricatures
The makers resist the temptation to paint politicians as pure villains or saints. Instead, they show them as people juggling principles, public opinion, and personal ambition. Caste, charisma, and coalition politics all feature prominently, but the series does not reduce them to stereotypes.
When Mayasabha succeeds, it shows how power builds slowly through influence and strategic alliances before exploding in decisive moments. When it falters, it leans too heavily on dialogue to explain every development. Still, the careful balance of personal and political stakes keeps viewers invested.
Public Response and Critic Opinions
The build-up to the release generated curiosity due to its strong political setting and the return of Deva Katta to a genre he understands well. Early reviews have been mixed-to-positive. Many critics praised the performances of Aadhi and Chaitanya, calling them the highlight of the season. Others appreciated the realistic portrayal of political life, noting that it avoids unnecessary glamour.
Some reviewers felt the series could have tightened its pacing and trimmed long speeches. Despite that, audience reactions on social media have leaned positive, with viewers calling it a “gripping political drama” and demanding a Season 2 announcement soon.
Strengths
- The intense central rivalry between Krishnam Naidu and M.S.R. keeps the drama alive.
- The political world feels authentic and layered.
- Performances across the cast bring credibility to the story.
Weaknesses
- Some episodes lose momentum due to overlong dialogue-driven scenes.
- A few character decisions happen too quickly to feel organic.
Final Verdict
Mayasabha does not try to please everyone. It invites debate. It delivers strong lead performances, an ambitious script, and an authentic depiction of political life in Andhra Pradesh during a time of rapid change. Even when the series slows, it offers moments of raw power — a rally that turns mid-speech, a secret alliance sealed in silence, a personal confrontation over a shared past.
For viewers who enjoy political dramas rooted in reality, with characters constantly walking the tightrope between ideals and ambition, Mayasabha deserves a spot on the watchlist. Season 1 lays a strong foundation, and the seeds for Season 2 already appear in the closing moments.
