Mahanati - Movie Review

Nag Ashwin shot to fame with his debut movie "Yevade Subrahmanyam". It was a decent success and critically acclaimed. He chose a herculean task of bringing "Mahanati Savithri Garu’s” life story to celluloid as his second venture. Casting, Posters, Music, Promotions and most importantly the eagerness of current generation to know about Savithri Garu's life have set huge expectations on the movie. 

Story 

Madhuravani (Samanatha) is a struggling newspaper journalist who wants to publish a story she would be proud of and gets her name and fame. Unwillingly she accepts to cover the news of "Mahanati Savithri Garu” (Keerthy Suresh) being hospitalised in coma condition. Anthony (Vijay Devarakonda) works as a still photographer in the same newspaper who has crush over Madhuravani. Both start covering the news about “Savithri Garu” and in the process finds that she is not just a movie star but much bigger than that. Through multiple sources they get information about Savithri Garu’s childhood, stage dramas, breakthrough in cinemas, Love life with Gemini Ganeshan (Dulquer Salman), growth as a star, Marriage life, Egos, Disturbances, Addiction, fall of the Mahanti. While exploring life of Mahanati, Madhuravani gets inspired and rediscovers herself and her priorities. Two Stories are merged together and narrated in an interesting manner.

Performances

Mahanati is an example of how good a movie turns out be when a huge star cast excels in their respective roles. This is about some of the finest performances we would have seen. “Keerthy Suresh” lived the character of “Savithri Garu”. This is a character of a lifetime and she is lucky to get it. She portrays all the emotions perfectly, humour, Love, Sorrow, Vengeance, Addiction. No one could have done this role better than her. Dulquer Salman is a an actor above par. He is easily one of the finest & gifted actors of current generation in India. His expressions and body language is so real and raw, you don’t see Dulquer, but only Gemini Ganeshan. Samantha accepted this movie only for climax scene and rightly did so. She just killed in the climax scene. She portrayed with pitch perfect the transformation from a shy stammering girl to a confident strong woman. Vijay Devarakonda is Ok in his role. Rajendra Prasad as Savithri Garu’s Peddananna Chowdhary is another asset to the film. He had a meatier role and he was superb. Though in limited screen space, remaining all actors performed well, Prakash Raj, Bhanu Priya, Divya Vani, Shalini Pandey, Krish, Avasarala Srinivas, Mohan Babu, Naga Chaitanya, Tanikella Bharani, Naresh, Malavika, Jabardast Mahesh, etc.,

Technicians

For a movie scheduled from 1940’s and 1980’s,  Art work, Costumes, Cinematography is crucial and all 3 departments were phenomenal in Mahanati. Huge sets, studios, Roads, Tram, Cars etc., recreated the golden era perfectly by Art team. To create the same costumes of epic movies like Mayabazaar, Missamma, Devadas exactly was a tough job and costumes department should be commended for the job. Music my Mickey J Meyer was apt. Dialogues by Sai Madhav Burra is good. “Perfect” is the word to be used for Casting and director has ensured movie’s success with this. Nag Ashwin not only narrated “Savithri Garu’s” life story but also showed how inspiring her life is through the transformation of Madhuravani’s character. He has mastered all 24 crafts with finesse.

Highlights

Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salman, Samantha, Rajendra Prasad acting

Art Work, Costumes, Cinematography

Story and Screenply

Emotional Quotient

Negatives

Slow Narration (You cannot expect a fast paced drama in a biopic)

Summary

Nag Ashwin has set benchmark for how a biopic is to be made, for forthcoming biopic of NTR, YSR. This would be his achievement in life to remember forever. You would come out with a heavy heart after the movie. The rise and fall of “Savithri Garu” makes you really moved. Her life shouldn’t have ended in that manner. Combined with best performances and technical brilliance, Mahanti is one of those rare movies you watch to learn but not get entertain.

Rating – Not Applicable. This is a must watch to know about the best actress ever of Telugu

Athi manchitanam, Adupu leni Daanam, Mitimeerina Prema – Veetilo ye okkati unna manchidi kaadu, Alantidi Savithri Gari jeevitham lo moodu unnayi. Chivaraku migilndi Badhe.