While Mahanati will hit screens today, the Tamil version of the Savitri biopic Nadigaiyar Thilagam will release on May 11.
The much-awaited biopic Mahanati released on Wednesday in the Telugu States and the US. Mahanati is based on the life of legendary actor Savitri, whose work has a special place in the history of Indian cinema. She has acted in more than 260 films in various languages, including Telugu and Tamil. She also lived life on her own terms at a time when everybody believed a woman’s life is only confined to the four walls of her house.
Also Read | Nag Ashwin on Mahanati: The film is very honest
Keerthy Suresh has played the iconic movie star in the film, which will release in Tamil as Nadigaiyar Thilagam on Friday. It has a huge star cast including Dulquer Salmaan, Samantha Akkineni, Vijay Devarakonda, Kajal Agarwal and Shalini Pandey among others. Mahanati is helmed by Yevade Subramanyam director Nag Aswin.
Highlights
Ace filmmaker Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao wrote on Twitter: "It takes a great deal of courage to make a film like Mahanati. I am thankful to Vyjayanthi movies for presenting Savitri garu's biopic to the audience and the newer generation. Keerthy has lived her character. Dulquer as Gemini Ganesan is excellent. Heartfelt congratulations to Nag Ashwin and the entire film unit."
Savitri
The millennials, who grew up watching south Indian movies, would have definitely seen at least one or two films of Savitri. The senior members of our households would have heaped praises on the actor describing her as a great artiste. When we watch Savitri’s movies we understand that all the praises she gets were not an exaggeration and that they were well-deserved. But, Mahanati gives an opportunity to understand her off-screen personality, which seems to be bold and daring.
Ensemble cast
One of the highlights of Mahanati will be its star cast. The film is built around the south Indian film industry at a time when Savitri was at the peak of her career. Not just Savitri, it will also bring back other legendary actors such as Gemini Ganesan (Dulquer Salmaan), N T Rama Rao (Jr NTR) and other veteran filmmakers to the screen. Samantha Akkineni, Vijay Devarakonda, Shalini Pandey among others play important roles.
Dulquer Salmaan, who plays Gemini Ganesan in Mahanati, posted on Twitter: "Hearing the most wonderful things about #Mahanati ! Overwhelmed and grateful ! Thank you @nagashwin7 Swapna Priyanka and Ashwini Dutt garu for putting their faith in me. Lots of love to @KeerthyOfficial @Samanthaprabhu2 @TheDeverakonda Rajendra Prasad garu & the entire cast !"
“The film is very honest. Whatever was going on in that period is what we have tried to reflect. When she was younger, there was a certain mood and a certain way she behaved and the way the world was around her. When she became successful, how was it… And when she was in a sort of spiral, how was she and how the world was around her. That way, there’s no purposeful cinematic liberty in Mahanati. We have not forced any unnecessary things because there were enough highs and lows in her real story. We just had to space it out correctly. There was no need to add any heroism to it,” Mahanati director Nag Ashwin told IANS.
Arjun Reddy fame Shalini Pandey plays Savitri's childhood friend Susheela in Mahanati.
Filmmaker Maruthi tweeted: "Watching #Mahanati , Director Naga Ashwin takes me into Savitri gari era, what a film @KeerthyOfficial is blessed to do this role, she just lived in it, @chay_akkineni as ANR garu superb, congratulations Swapna garu & team it's another experience"
"We know Savitri amma's story and I was sceptical about doing justice to her acting. I was also concerned that my imitation of Savitri amma's scenes shouldn't be perceived in a wrong manner. But Nag gave me a lot of confidence that I'd be able to pull it off. And he also ensured that we were not portraying it in a wrong way. In fact, this film is like a tribute to actress Savitri. After I joined the team, I was really happy to be part of it," Keerthy Suresh told India Today.
Lakshmi Manchu wrote on Twitter: "Executing the life of a wonderful human & actress in a beautiful way is a challenge & y’all did best! Congratultions team #Mahanati! Special shout out to Swapna & Priyanka Dutt! May women continue to rule. @KeerthyOfficial @Samanthaprabhu2 @TheDeverakonda @dulQuer @themohanbabu"
Vijay Deverakonda, who plays a journalist in Mahanti, posted on Twitter: "Watched #Mahanati Last night. What a life Savitri Garu had. And To Nag Ashwin and the team - take a bow. @KeerthyOfficial vere level killing - @Samanthaprabhu2 & @dulQuer super proud of your choices and my admiration! Cinema super hit - super hit kante oka super experience."
Keerthy Suresh, who plays Savitri in Mahanati, tweeted: "The day has finally arrived. The rollercoaster ride of hard work, pain, passion, fights, anger, depression comes to an end. Above all, the ‘Love’ that we all have for this beautiful journey of my life, is an open chapter from today! Please bless us🙏 #Mahanatifromtoday"