Mayasabha (TV series)
| Mayasabha | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Genre | Political drama |
| Created by | Deva Katta |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Directed by |
|
| Starring | |
| Music by | Shakthikanth Karthick |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Telugu |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography |
|
| Editor | Praveen K. L. |
| Production company | Hitmen & Proodos Productions LLP |
| Original release | |
| Network | SonyLIV |
| Release | 7 August 2025 |
Mayasabha: Rise of the Titans is an Indian Telugu-language political drama television series created by Deva Katta, who co-directed the series and co-wrote its screenplay with Kiran Jay Kumar.[1][2] The series is produced by Vijay Krishna Lingamaneni and Sree Harsha under the banner of Hitmen & Proodos Productions LLP. It stars Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao in the lead roles, co-starring Sai Kumar, Divya Dutta, and Nassar.[3][4]
It premiered on SonyLIV on 7 August 2025.[5][6][7] The story is fictionalized retelling of the events based on the politics of Andhra Pradesh that took place between the 1970s and 1995.[8]
Premise
Set in the volatile political landscape of 1970s-1990s Andhra Pradesh, the series dramatises the evolving relationship between two prominent political figures—Kakarla Krishnama Naidu and M. S. Rami Reddy—portraying their journey from friends-turned-political rivals.
Cast
- Aadhi Pinisetty as Kakarla Krishnama Naidu "KKN" (based on N. Chandrababu Naidu)
- Chaitanya Rao Madadi as M. S. Rami Reddy "MSR" (based on Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy)
- Sai Kumar as Rayapati Chakradhar Rao "RCR" (based on N. T. Rama Rao)
- Divya Dutta as Iravati Basu (based on Indira Gandhi)
- Nassar as Shivaji Rao (based on Ramoji Rao)
- Shatru as Vakada Mahesh (based on Vangaveeti Ranga)
- Ravindra Vijay as Pothineni Ramesh (based on Paritala Ravi)
- Srikanth Iyengar as Chekuri Babu Rao "CBR" (based on Nadendla Bhaskar Rao)
- Raghu Babu as Raja Rao
- Tanya Ravichandran as Anu Harika, Naidu's love interest
- Bhavana Vazhapandal as Vyshnavi, Reddy's cousin and love interest; later wife (based on Y. S. Vijayamma)
- Charitha Varma as Rameshwari
- Jeeva as Basi Reddy
- Ravi Prakash as Valluri Chalapathi Rao "VCR"
- Devadarshini as Susheela Kumari
- C. V. L. Narasimha Rao as Raghuram Reddy
- Rupa Lakshmi as Chitturi Rangamma
- Meka Ramakrishna as Seshayya
- Sammeta Gandhi as Pothineni Veera Raghavayya
- Kota Shankar Rao as Verayya Chowdary
- Goparaju Vijay as Mahinder Reddy
- Prabhavathi as Kamalamma
- Shankar Mahanthi as Shiva Reddy
- Sunitha Manohar as Bhavani
- Abhishek Reddy as Joseph Reddy
- Phani as Appi
Episodes
| Episode | Title | Directed by | Screenplay by | Date of Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Story Of India Is The Story Of Caste" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 2 | "Natural Born Leaders" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 3 | "A 'Hi' Amidst Chaos" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 4 | "Rebels With A Cause" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 5 | "Ticket To Mayasabha" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 6 | "Train To Mayasabha" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 7 | "Awakening The Sabha" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 8 | "The Caste Fault Lines" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
| 9 | "Surviving The Tsunami" | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | Deva Katta & Kiran Jay Kumar | August 7, 2025 |
Production
Deva Katta started working on the story between 2017 and 2018. As over-the-top media service is not popular, he decided to make it as a film trilogy and wrote the story accordingly. After the raise and success of the streaming media services in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to make it as a television series.[9]
Release
Mayasabha was released on SonyLIV on 7 August 2025 in Telugu along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam languages.[10][11][12]
Reception
Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote in her review that, "Mayasabha offers a compelling fictional take on real political history, packed with drama, ambition, and reflection".[13] Aditya Devulapally of Cinema Express was gave a four of five rating, with particular praise towards Deva Katta's writing.[14] Echoing the same, Suhas Sistu of The Hans India rated it 3.5 out of 5 and called Aadhi Pinisetty's and Chaitanya Rao's performance as "career-best" and "intense" respectively.[15] Giving the same rating, Anisha Rao of India Today called it "gutsy, ambitious, and has its own voice".[16] Sahelee Rakshit of Bollywood Life noted that Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao "win hearts for their intense performances" calling the web series a "must-watch".[17] Sanjeev Kumar of HT Telugu rated it 3.5 out of 5 calling it an 'extremely gripping political thriller' that effectively portrays political power struggles inspired by Chandrababu and Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy, with balanced character portrayals and suspenseful strategies.[18] A review by Lakshminarayana Varanasi of TV9 Telugu described series as 'the best political series in Telugu'.[19] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in described series as a 'heavily spiced-up fictional history of Andhra Pradesh politics' commending its dramatic depiction of political ambition and power struggles.[20]. Deccan Chronicle noted that the casting, direction and cinematography are the major positives.[21] Pratyusha Sista of Telangana Today praised the performances of the lead cast and Deva Katta's work.[22] Pratyush Parasuraman of The Hollywood Reporter India compared it with the Tamil film Iruvar (1997) and had a mixed opinion towards the writing.[23]
References
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (4 August 2025). "Watch: In conversation with director Deva Katta: Mayasabha". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ AR, Reshmi (2 August 2025). "Between Fact and Fiction: Deva Katta on His Sony LIV Series Mayasabha Inspired by Andhra Politics". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ "Aadhi Pinisetty, Chaitanya Rao to headline Sony LIV's political thriller 'Mayasabha'".
- ^ "Mayasabha OTT Release Date: When And Where To Watch Aadhi Pinisetty's Political Drama Online". News18. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayasabha Trailer: Deva Katta Saga Set In Andhra Pradesh Sees Friends Become Bitter Political Rivals - Watch". Times Now. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayasabha OTT release date out: When and where to watch Telugu political drama". The Economic Times. 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayasabha OTT release date: When and where to watch Deva Katta's Telugu series online". India Times. 13 July 2025.
- ^ Ramnath, Nandini (7 August 2025). "'Mayasabha' review: A heavily spiced fictional history of Andhra Pradesh politics". Scroll.in. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Mayasabha Creator Deva Katta On How Idea About 'Avengers Kind Of Political Leaders' Kickstarted Telugu Series | EXCLUSIVE". Times Now. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Sony LIV's Political Thriller "Mayasabha" Premieres August 7". www.deccanchronicle.com. 13 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "Mayasabha Trailer: Deva Katta Saga Set In Andhra Pradesh Sees Friends Become Bitter Political Rivals - Watch". Times Now. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Guptha, Ganesh (31 July 2025). "ప్రాణ స్నేహితులే రాజకీయ శత్రువులు - రాష్ట్ర విధిని మార్చిన కథ... ఆసక్తికరంగా 'మయసభ' ట్రైలర్". ABP Desam (in Telugu). Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (7 August 2025). "'Mayasabha' web series review: Deva Katta delivers an intriguing high stakes drama". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Devulapally, Aditya (7 August 2025). "Mayasabha series review: Deva Katta delivers the most authentic political drama Telugu space has seen". Cinema Express. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Sistu, Suhas (7 August 2025). "Mayasabha: A gripping political drama". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Rao, Anisha (7 August 2025). "Mayasabha review: Friendship, betrayal and power in this gutsy political drama". India Today. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Mayasabha x review aadhi pinisetty chaitanya rao win hearts for intense performance netizens call it must watch web series 3230357". bollywood-life. 10 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Sanjiv. "మయసభ రివ్యూ- చంద్రబాబు, వైఎస్సార్ ఓటీటీ పొలిటికల్ థ్రిల్లర్- దేవ కట్టా మరో రాజకీయ మాయజాలం హిట్ కొట్టిందా?". Hindustantimes Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Telugu, TV9 (6 August 2025). "Mayasabha Web Series Review: మయసభ వెబ్ సిరీస్ రివ్యూ.. తెలుగులో బెస్ట్ పొలిటికల్ సిరీస్." TV9 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 14 August 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ramnath, Nandini (7 August 2025). "'Mayasabha' review: A heavily spiced fictional history of Andhra Pradesh politics". Scroll.in. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Mayasabha: A Compelling Political Thriller That Keeps You Hooked". www.deccanchronicle.com. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ Today, Telangana (7 August 2025). "Mayasabha Review: A political drama that feels personal". Telangana Today. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "'Mayasabha' Series Review: Deva Katta's Political Drama Hampered By Weak Writing and Stiff Acting". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 8 August 2025.