Mahanati (2018) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 30 Apr 2026
Mahanati (2018) Review
Mahanati (2018) is a Telugu biography, drama film directed by Nag Ashwin, starring Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Mahanati depicts the life and career of one of Telugu cinema's greatest and most iconic starlets, the first Indian female super star, Savitri. Our Rating: 3.5/5. Verdict: BLOCKBUSTER. Released: 8 May 2018. Runtime: 2h 56m.
Mahanati(2018)
Come Be A Part of History
Telugu · Biography, Drama
2h 56m · 8 May 2018
Music: Mickey J Meyer | DOP: Dani Sanchez-Lopez | Writer: Nag Ashwin, Sai Madhav Burra, Padmavathi Visweswar
Ratings
Our Rating
3.5
📖 Story
Mahanati is a biographical drama that chronicles the life of legendary South Indian actress Savitri. The film explores her rise to stardom, personal struggles, and the impact she left on the film industry, narrated through the perspective of a journalist investigating her life.
Keerthy Suresh: Stellar portrayal of Savitri with emotional depth and authenticity
Dulquer Salmaan: Strong and nuanced performance as Gemini Ganesan
Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Effective and supportive role adding emotional layers
Nag Ashwin: Memorable and impactful supporting role
Keerthy Suresh: Solid and convincing performance
Dulquer Salmaan: Good supporting performance
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Powerful lead performance by Keerthy Suresh
- ✓Engaging screenplay and narrative structure
- ✓Authentic period detailing and production design
- ✓Emotional depth and character development
- ✓Strong supporting cast performances
- ✓Effective direction and writing by Nag Ashwin
Weaknesses
- ✕Pacing slows down in the second half for some viewers
- ✕Certain subplots could have been trimmed for tighter narrative
🎬 Direction & Writing
Nag Ashwin delivers a sensitive and well-crafted biopic with a balanced mix of emotional storytelling and cinematic grandeur, effectively capturing the essence of Savitri's life and legacy.
📰 Critic Reviews
On the whole, Mahanati is a fitting tribute to the legendary actress Savitri. The rise and downfall of Telugu cinema’s most famous actress have been shown in a very effective manner. Keerty Suresh leads from the front and pours life into the character of Savitri making things quite interesting. As the film is of the bi…
Mahanati is an authentic biopic that’s told in an uncompromising manner. The director didn’t commercialise the narration for the sake of frontbenchers. This is how the biopics are made in Hollywood with a classic style of narration with emotions taking the front seat. The last half an hour of the film is so emotional t…
Mahanati Savitri took birth as Keerthy Suresh is an understatement because such was the grace with which Keerthy carried herself as Savitri. Re-rendition of iconic scenes from Savitri garu’s hit films are pleasant retro experience. First half of this film is very good. In second half, due to pathos in the legendary act…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.5 | |
| 3.5 | |
| 3.5 | |
| 3.75 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
| Run | Centers |
|---|---|
| 50 Days Centers | 50 |
| 100 Days Centers | 10 |
| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Film Award | Best Actress | Keerthy Suresh for her portrayal of Savitri |
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Film - Telugu | Awarded to producers Swapna Dutt and Priyanka Dutt |
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Director - Telugu | Nag Ashwin |
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - Strong theatrical run across Telugu states
- - Positive word of mouth sustained collections
- - Completed 50 days in multiple centers
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 85% |
| Neutral | 10% |
| Negative | 5% |
Critics
Critics widely praised Mahanati for its compelling performances, especially by Keerthy Suresh, and its respectful portrayal of a legendary actress. The film was lauded for its technical finesse, emotional storytelling, and strong direction, making it a standout biopic in Telugu cinema.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mahanati release in theatres?▾
Mahanati released on 8 May 2018 (2018).
Is Mahanati a hit or flop?▾
Mahanati is declared a BLOCKBUSTER at the box office.
What is the budget of Mahanati?▾
Budget of Mahanati is approximately ₹25 Crore.
Where to watch Mahanati online? OTT release date?▾
Mahanati is available on Amazon Prime Video. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Mahanati?▾
Mahanati directed by Nag Ashwin. Produced by Swapna Dutt, Priyanka Dutt.
Who are the main cast members of Mahanati?▾
Mahanati stars Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu.
What is the Tollybo rating for Mahanati?▾
Tollybo rates Mahanati 3.5/5. Verdict: BLOCKBUSTER.
Who composed the music for Mahanati?▾
Music for Mahanati composed by Mickey J Meyer.
What is the genre and runtime of Mahanati?▾
Mahanati — Genre: Biography, Drama, Runtime: 176 minutes, Language: Telugu.