Mahanati
Mahanati depicts the life and career of one of Telugu cinema's greatest and most iconic starlets, the first Indian female super star, Savitri.
Directed by Nag Ashwin · Drama · History · 176 min · 2018
Director
Nag Ashwin
Writer
Nag Ashwin, Sai Madhav Burra (dialogues), Padmavathi Malladi (additional screenplay and dialogues)
Studio
Vyjayanthi Movies / Swapna Cinema
Release
2018-05-09
Runtime
176 min
Genres
Drama, History
Full Plot
Savitri, a renowned actress, falls into a coma in 1980 Bangalore, sparking intense media attention. A journalist's investigation uncovers the actress's tumultuous past, including her difficult childhood and rise to fame in the film industry. Savitri's journey from a young dancer to a leading lady is marked by both professional success and personal struggles. Her early life experiences shape her into the iconic star she becomes.
Cast & Characters
Gemini Ganesan
Dulquer Salmaan
Vijay Anthony
Vijay Deverakonda
Kommareddy Venkataramaiah Chowdary, Savitri's uncle
Rajendra Prasad
Subadramma, Savitri's mother
Divyavani
S. V. Ranga Rao
Mohan Babu
L. V. Prasad
Srinivas Avasarala
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Naga Chaitanya
Alamelu, Ganesan's first wife
Malavika Nair
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $4.3M, Mahanati has grossed $11.6M worldwide — about 2.7x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Keerthy Suresh appears in 18 films in our catalog, including Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, Paambhu Sattai.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Mahanati became the highest-grossing South Indian film that starred a woman as the primary character, surpassing Anushka Shetty's Rudramadevi (2015).
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
Mahanati holds 7.5/10 on TMDb (62 votes). (OMDb had no record for this title — sourced from TMDb instead.)
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 30, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on TMDb's aggregated score (7.5/10 on TMDb (62 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mahanati good? What are critics saying?+
Mahanati holds 7.5/10 on TMDb (62 votes). (OMDb had no record for this title — sourced from TMDb instead.)
How long is Mahanati?+
Mahanati has a runtime of 176 min.
Who directed Mahanati?+
Mahanati was directed by Nag Ashwin.
Where can I watch Mahanati?+
Mahanati is available to stream, rent, or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video.
Fan & Critic Buzz
Mahanati received widespread critical acclaim for its performances, particularly Keerthy Suresh's portrayal of Savitri, with many praising her pitch-perfect performance. The film was also commended for its storytelling, direction, and production values, with several critics noting that it breathed new life into the legendary actress's story. However, some reviewers felt that the film lacked drama and failed to deliver an in-depth exploration of Savitri's life.
Source: Wikipedia — Critical reception (CC BY-SA)
