Director - Deva Katta And Kiran Jay Kumar
Cast – Aadhi Pinisetty, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Sai Kumar, Divya Dutta, Nassar
Episodes – 9 
Platform – SonyLIV
 
With Mayasabha, Deva Katta rises from the ashes of past flops and delivers a series that’s not only relevant but outright riveting. This is not just another political drama—it’s a slow-burn epic that peels back the layers of Andhra Pradesh’s volatile political history with sharp writing, magnetic performances, and an unapologetically controversial edge.
 
From the get-go, it’s evident that Mayasabha isn’t playing it safe. While officially labeled as fiction, the show unmistakably draws from the real-life rivalry between Nara Chandra Babu Naidu and the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy. Aadhi Pinisetty’s Krishnama Naidu and Chaitanya Rao’s Rami Reddy are clearly crafted as fictionalized avatars of these political titans. Their journey from humble beginnings in student politics to political powerhouses—and eventually, bitter adversaries—forms the crux of a drama that’s as much about ideology as it is about identity.
 
Deva Katta, along with co-director Kiran Kumar, executes this premise with surprising restraint and meticulous research. The first few episodes may take their time, but they establish a rich foundation: caste dynamics, political lineage, betrayal, sacrifice, and the simmering tension of ambition in a democracy struggling with its own contradictions. The writing doesn’t shy away from hard truths, especially about the caste politics that once controlled Andhra’s power corridors. Katta doesn't take sides—he simply lays the facts down with cinematic flair, letting the audience make its own conclusions.
 
The casting is spot-on and elevates the show to another level. Aadhi Pinisetty delivers a towering performance as Krishnama Naidu, nailing the transformation from an idealistic young leader to a stoic, scarred statesman. The added complexity of his character’s stammer is handled with authenticity and grace, making this arguably the best performance of Aadhi’s career.
 
But if Aadhi is the anchor, Chaitanya Rao is the breakout. His portrayal of Rami Reddy is electric, brimming with conviction and unpredictability. Adopting the Rayalaseema slang, he moves with raw energy and emotional honesty, silencing critics who questioned his casting. Watching him go head-to-head with Aadhi is like watching two lions fight for the same throne—and it’s glorious.
 
Then there’s Sai Kumar. Oh, Sai Kumar. As a fictionalized version of NTR, he doesn’t just walk into the frame—he owns it. His baritone voice, larger-than-life charisma, and political gravitas inject adrenaline into the latter half of the series. Nasser, portraying the shadowy media mogul Sivaji Rao (clearly inspired by Ramoji Rao), uses minimal dialogue but maximum presence to become a puppet master worth fearing. Divya Dutta, Srikanth Iyengar, Shankar Mohanty, and Tanya Ravichandran round out a stellar ensemble that makes every scene count.
 
The production values are top-notch. From vintage college backdrops to campaign rallies to newsroom corridors echoing with backdoor deals—the art direction is immersive and era-accurate. The cinematography is layered, often using light and shadow to reflect moral ambiguity, and the writing—especially the dialogues—carries weight without resorting to melodrama. Some of the controversial lines about caste and corruption may spark debate, but they never feel performative. They’re born out of narrative truth.
 
Yes, the series starts off slow. And yes, some may argue that the heavy hitters like Sai Kumar and Nasser arrive too late into the season. But that pacing is deliberate. Deva Katta is setting a chessboard, not staging a street brawl. And once the final three episodes hit, it’s all political fire and fury, building to a cliffhanger that promises an even more explosive second season.
 
What’s most admirable about Mayasabha is its refusal to sanitize history. It exposes uncomfortable truths about power, caste, friendship, betrayal, and legacy—all while maintaining emotional resonance. It's as much a political potboiler as it is a character study. For fans of Prasthanam, this is Katta back in his element, reclaiming his voice in the OTT space with unapologetic vigor.