Ghaati review: The ghats deserved better
At its core, Ghaati carries the promise of being a genre-defining drama. A story set in the Eastern Ghats, built around a tribal community caught in the chaos of crime and survival, had the scope to be both raw and impactful. With a female protagonist driving the revenge arc, the setup looked like it could challenge mainstream Telugu storytelling by offering something culturally rooted and emotionally charged. However, while the ambition is clear, the execution ends up feeling far more conventional than groundbreaking.
Ghaati review: A surface-level use of the tribal setting
One of the film’s biggest shortcomings is how it employs its backdrop. Instead of authentically portraying the tribal way of life and their struggles, the story reduces the Eastern Ghats into little more than scenery for a routine crime saga. The narrative leans heavily on familiar tropes of drug trafficking, rivalries, and retribution, making it resemble a standard gangster drama awkwardly transplanted from a city to the hills. The cultural richness that could have distinguished Ghaati is absent, leaving viewers with a sense of missed opportunity.
Performances that keep the drama engaging
If Ghaati holds attention, it is largely because of its cast.
Anushka Shetty once again shows her command over action-driven characters. As Sheelavathi, she combines raw intensity with flashes of vulnerability, making her presence magnetic in several sequences. Her combat scenes feel authentic and pack the grit needed for her role.
Vikram Prabhu, in his Telugu debut, makes his presence felt even with limited screen time. His chemistry with Anushka works well, and he leaves a mark despite not being given much material.
Chaitanya Rao is a standout, making the most of a neatly written role and adding depth to the ensemble.
Jagapathi Babu provides a dose of lightheartedness with brief comic touches, which momentarily relieve the heaviness of the drama.
Ravindra Vijay, playing Kaastala Naidu, is introduced as a figure of menace but is undermined by shallow writing that never gives him the gravitas of a memorable antagonist.
Storytelling that struggles to grip
Despite blending elements of love, revenge, and action, the story never fully grips the audience. The screenplay is straightforward to the point of being predictable, with little room for tension or surprise. Emotional beats, particularly in the second half, feel rushed or underdeveloped, weakening what should have been the emotional core of Sheelavathi’s revenge journey. Character arcs often shift abruptly without proper buildup, leaving their transformations unconvincing. Even central roles like Sheelavathi and Naidu never receive the nuance needed to elevate their conflict.
Technical strengths and weak links
From a technical standpoint, the film is uneven.
The cinematography makes excellent use of the Eastern Ghats, capturing their rugged beauty with striking frames.
Editing, however, drags down the rhythm. Scenes stretch longer than necessary, making the film feel drawn out.
Music by Vidya Sagar fails to leave an impression, the songs fade quickly from memory, though the background score occasionally adds tension during critical moments.
Dialogues by Sai Madhav Burra succeed in flashes but don’t consistently deliver the weight required to elevate the material.
Ghaati review: Final word
In the end, Ghaati comes across as a film that had every chance to be groundbreaking but never finds the force it needed. The cast, especially Anushka Shetty, delivers committed performances, and the visuals of the Ghats add atmosphere. But the flat writing, lack of emotional resonance, and undercooked character arcs keep it from rising above a familiar crime drama.
Ghaati is remembered less for what it accomplishes and more for the opportunities it leaves unexplored.
