Mayasabha: The Rise of the Titans, streaming on Sony LIV since August 7, 2025, is a Telugu political drama that promises power, friendship and betrayal set in the turbulent times of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Directed by Deva Katta and Kiran Jay Kumar, the series has a star cast of Aadhi Pinisetty, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, Divya Dutta, Sai Kumar and Nassar. Despite the big vision and interesting premise, the show fails to deliver on its promise. Here’s a review..
Plot and Themes
At the core of Mayasabha is the story of two friends, Krishna Kanth Naidu (Aadhi Pinisetty) and MS Rami Reddy (Chaitanya Rao Madadi), who become bitter enemies as they rise to power. Set in the politically charged backdrop of Andhra Pradesh, the series is inspired by real life events, weaves a story around the Emergency era, Naxalism, caste politics and regional power struggles. It shows how noble intentions get eroded under the weight of ambition and systemic corruption, the self serving nature of politics. The show has 9 episodes, each 30 minutes long, tries to blend historical context with fictional drama, touches upon caste hierarchies, betrayal and the cyclical nature of oppression.
What Works
Mayasabha is bold in tackling socio-political issues. The series doesn’t paint its characters in black and white, no heroes or villains, which makes their intentions more complex. It touches upon big historical events like the Emergency and the rise of regional parties and the struggles of the common man and caste oppression. The music by Shakthikanth Karthick is a highlight, the title track is catchy and the background score is intense. Visually, the series gets the era right. Suresh Ragutu and Gnanashekar V.S.’s cinematography is good at capturing rural and urban settings. Some subplots, like the roots of Naxalism and government suppression, are well done and give us a glimpse into the system.
What Falls Short
Despite the great idea, Mayasabha falls short. The script is the weakest link, trying to pack in too many themes, characters and events without giving any of them space to breathe. Character development is rushed, friendships and conflicts are resolved too quickly and don’t have the emotional weight to hook you. The Delhi villains are cartoonishly evil, which undermines the complexity of the narrative. Logical inconsistencies and underdeveloped character arcs make it hard for you to connect emotionally. Direction is fine, but can’t compensate for the script’s shortcomings and it’s a disjointed watch. It would have been better if they had dedicated the first few episodes to individual character backstories to make us invest in the characters.
Performances
The performances are good, even with the script’s limitations. Aadhi Pinisetty is good as Krishna Kanth Naidu; he anchors the series with a neat performance that captures the aspirations and flaws of the character. Chaitanya Rao Madadi is impressive as MS Rami Reddy; he holds his ground alongside Aadhi with a nuanced performance that reveals multiple layers. Sai Kumar, who transitioned from cinema to politics and Tanya S. Ravichandran are good as the romantic interest; they provide robust supporting performances. But Divya Dutta as Iravati Basu doesn’t make an impact; she doesn’t connect with the audience. The cast, which includes Ravindra Vijay and Nassar, adds to the overall product, but the script’s limitations don’t let them make a lasting impression.
Technical Aspects
The production quality is a mixed bag. Although the cinematography and score is good, the set design and CGI is not up to the mark, but these are minor issues. Praveen K. L’s editing is tight, but the convoluted narrative structure undermines the impact of key scenes. The series’ portrayal of Andhra Pradesh’s political history is a highlight, but it falters in maintaining a consistent tone; it’s all over the place between epic drama and melodrama.
Verdict
"Mayasabha: The Rise of the Titans tries to be a contemporary political epic but fails in the execution and the script. Although it has an interesting take on caste, power and politics, it lacks well developed characters and a cohesive narrative. Political drama enthusiasts may find it worth watching for its historical context and performances. But casual viewers may find it tough to follow due to the complex narrative and emotional detachment. The series ends on a cliffhanger and there’s a possibility of a second season, but it needs more storytelling to fulfill its potential. "