Sony LIV’s Mayasabha is a bold political drama by Deva Katta, exploring power, caste, and real-life parallels in Andhra Pradesh politics. Full review here.
Released in August 2025, Mayasabha is Sony LIV’s latest Telugu political thriller co-created by Deva Katta and Kiran Jay Kumar. With gripping performances by Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao, this series pulls the curtain back on the socio-political upheavals of undivided Andhra Pradesh, drawing striking parallels with real historical events and figures.
This review explores how Mayasabha succeeds — and sometimes falters — in portraying an emotionally charged, high-stakes political drama that feels both relevant and timeless.
🧠 Mayasabha Mirrors Real-Life Political Titans
Despite its disclaimer claiming all characters are fictional, Mayasabha unmistakably echoes the journeys of NT Rama Rao, YS Rajasekhara Reddy, and N Chandrababu Naidu. Set in mid-1995, during a political coup, the show begins with a moment of chaos — MLAs receiving calls about suspensions and rushing to a hotel. This strikingly recalls real political incidents from Andhra Pradesh’s history.
🔥 Standout Leads:
- Aadhi Pinisetty as Kakarla Krishnam Naidu: Calm, calculated, and evolving into a formidable political force.
- Chaitanya Rao as Dr. MS Rami Reddy: Emotional, idealistic, and driven by community upliftment.
Their fictionalised phone call comparing politics to Kurukshetra (“Yuddham nee dharmam”) sets the tone for a narrative driven by loyalty, betrayal, caste, ambition, and revenge.
🏛️ Trending Topic: Caste, Power, and Political Ambition
The series rewinds to the 1970s, exploring the protagonists’ youth in Chittoor and Kadapa. It’s not a romanticised rise-to-power tale. Instead, the creators layer it with caste realities, Naxal movements, and faction politics.
⚖️ Noteworthy Themes:
- Caste as Power: Acknowledged head-on in an episode titled “The Story of India is the Story of Caste”.
- Factionalism & Naxalism: Pivotal in shaping the protagonists’ moral and political directions.
- Legacy & Leadership: How dreams of reform evolve under political pressure.
These layers make Mayasabha more than just fiction — it becomes an insightful social commentary.
🎭 Performances and Characters: A Mixed Bag
🌟 Highlights:
- Divya Dutta as the Prime Minister: Commanding but underutilized.
- Srikanth Iyengar: Convincing as an insecure rival, though underwritten.
- Nasser, as a media baron (Ramoji Rao-inspired), adds realism and narrative thrust.
- Sai Kumar as RCR: A charismatic leader rising with media support.
Supporting actors like Tanya Ravichandran, Charitha Varma, and Bhavana Vazhapandal add emotional depth.
🎵 Technical Brilliance:
- Music by Shakthi Kanth Karthick: Elevates key scenes.
- Editing by Praveen KL: Keeps pacing tight, especially during courtroom and assembly sequences.
🛑 Where Mayasabha Falters
Despite the series’ strengths, a few areas dull its sharpness:
- College Flashbacks: Overstretched song and romance sequences that disrupt narrative momentum.
- Caricatured Characters: Some national-level politicians come off as one-dimensional.
- Writing Gaps: Certain ideological shifts could use more emotional buildup.
Still, these flaws don’t take away from the show’s overall impact.
🔗 Real-Life Parallels: Fiction or Fact?
Mayasabha constantly teases reality — wardrobe choices, symbols like the cycle, speeches echoing Telugu pride, and parallels to the Emergency and sterilisation drives.
Much like Deva Katta’s previous works (Prasthanam), this series thrives on political intrigue and institutional critique.
👉 Related Read: Top 10 Telugu Political Dramas Streaming in 2025 (Internal Link)
📊 Bullet Highlights: Mayasabha at a Glance
- 🎥 Platform: Sony LIV
- 🗓️ Release: August 2025
- 🎬 Creators: Deva Katta, Kiran Jay Kumar
- ⭐ Rating: 4/5
- 🔥 Best Episodes:
- Episode 1: Kurukshetra Begins
- Episode 5: The Story of Caste
- Episode 8: Assembly Showdown
- 🏆 Best Performance: Aadhi Pinisetty as Krishnam Naidu
- 🎵 Best Technical Aspect: Background score
Mayasabha is currently streaming on Sony LIV’s official platform, where all episodes are available in Telugu with subtitles.
❓ FAQs About Mayasabha Web Series
1. Is Mayasabha based on real events in Andhra Pradesh?
While fictionalised, the series heavily draws inspiration from political events and leaders of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
2. Where can I watch Mayasabha online?
Mayasabha is exclusively streaming on Sony LIV in Telugu with English subtitles.
3. Will there be a Season 2 of Mayasabha?
Yes, Season 2 is titled “Clash of the Titans” and is already in development, promising even higher stakes.
4. Who are the lead actors in Mayasabha?
Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao headline the series, portraying characters inspired by Andhra Pradesh’s political history.
5. What’s the central theme of Mayasabha?
The show explores the intersection of power, caste, ambition, and legacy, told through a fictional but familiar lens.
📣 Final Verdict: Worth Watching?
Absolutely. Mayasabha is a compelling web series that doesn’t shy away from the complex political and caste dynamics of its setting. It offers sharp commentary, strong performances, and well-paced drama with enough real-life parallels to keep Telugu political history buffs engaged.
Despite a few weak links, the show’s narrative ambition and grounded storytelling make it a standout in the 2025 streaming landscape.
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Have you watched Maya Sabha yet? What’s your take on the real-life inspirations behind the characters?
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