Deva Katta’s 'Mayasabha: The Rise of the Titans' has been streaming on SonyLIV since August 7, 2025 and has generated a lot of buzz with its political thriller approach inspired by the real life power dynamics of undivided Andhra Pradesh. This Telugu web series featuring an impressive cast of Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao, along with Vijay Krishna, Kiran Leo and Sree Harsha Vadlamudi tries to weave a high octane story of ambition, betrayal and power. While the series impresses with its performances and bold premise, it falters with inconsistent pacing and over ambitious scope and gets mixed reviews ranging from super enthusiastic to scathing.
Set in a fictional political landscape, Mayasabha is about the rise and clash of titans vying for power and Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao deliver standout performances as complex and morally grey characters. Katta, known for films like Prasthanam, crafts a story that mirrors the turbulent politics of Andhra Pradesh, blending real life parallels with drama. The first few episodes hook you with sharp dialogues, intricate character arcs and a gritty exploration of power play, with a moody soundtrack and good production values. The Hindu praises Katta for delivering “an engrossing high stakes drama” and the cast for bringing the interesting plot to life.
However, the series falters as it progresses, particularly in the latter half, where the narrative becomes overcrowded with subplots and characters. Koimoi’s review says Mayasabha has “a lot to say” but the execution fails with pacing issues and too much expository dialogue diluting the tension. Some viewers agree with this, one calling it “absolute shithousery” for not maintaining the momentum, while others find it interesting and unmissable. Aadhi Pinisetty’s presence and Chaitanya Rao’s performance are consistent highlights, but the supporting characters like Vijay Krishna’s feel underdeveloped and some arcs are left unresolved.
Visually, Mayasabha is stunning, capturing the grime and glory of the political world. Katta’s direction is bold in high drama moments, especially in backroom deals and public confrontations but struggles to balance the epic scale with the storytelling. Beyond Media calls it “controversial, compelling & unmissable” but warns “it might not be for everyone” due to the dense narrative and polarizing politics. The 8 episode season, which is nearly 6 hours long feels both expansive and rushed; critics say a tighter edit could have made a bigger impact.
Overall, Mayasabha is a brave if imperfect addition to Telugu streaming content; it’s thought provoking on power dynamics but falls short of being a masterpiece. Fans of political dramas and Katta’s earlier work will have a lot to like, especially in the performances and first few episodes but those expecting a linear narrative might be disappointed. As one viewer put it “It could have been way better” Mayasabha is a good but not great series that sparks debate as much as it entertains.