Mayasabha review: A political drama that writes itself into a corner
A technically sharp political drama
Mayasabha attempts to walk the tightrope between political commentary and mass entertainment—and at times, it succeeds impressively. The show is technically well-made, with strong cinematography, impactful dialogues, and a well-composed background score that elevates key moments. The series also dares to explore caste politics, addressing deep-rooted societal divisions with surprising boldness. It’s rare to see such themes handled so directly in mainstream Telugu content. Although the story claims it’s about two titans of Andhra Pradesh, MSR (Chaitanya Rao) based on YSR and the central character Naidu (Aadhi Pinisetty) based on CBN is written with strength and intelligence, and the narrative positions him as a calculated strategist who always stays two steps ahead—a depiction that holds your attention.
A clever metaphor and intriguing setup
The series does a commendable job introducing viewers to lesser-known political incidents, drawing intrigue by merging real events with fictionalized drama. The title “Mayasabha” (Hall of Illusions) is a clever metaphor, hinting at how wealth and power can distort identity and intention.
A skewed narrative that favors one side
That said, Mayasabha is clearly tilted in favor of Naidu, which hurts the credibility of the narrative. It reimagines certain historical truths. While CBN has always been a forward-looking politician, the series over-amplifies his role, at times portraying him as the sole visionary in a field of manipulated and directionless players.
Performances elevate a limited script
The performances are generally solid, with most of the cast delivering what the script allows. Chaitanya Rao stands out, portraying his role with restraint and subtlety, especially in key emotional moments. While some characters weren’t given enough depth, the actors do their best to bring weight and presence to their scenes. The overall casting works well for the world the series tries to build, even if not all roles are fully explored.
Underwritten characters and missed opportunities
The supporting cast suffers significantly. Talented actors like Shatru, Ravindra Vijay, and Divya Dutta are underused, their characters bordering on caricatures.
The portrayal of Iravati is especially disappointing — instead of being written with nuance, her character is written in a way to be made fun of. Even the RCR (NTR) character, supposedly seasoned and sharp, is shown to be too easily manipulated. These writing choices, along with some pacing issues and an over-sanitised portrayal of certain characters, point to a conscious effort to stay in favor with current political sentiments. It often feels like the series is being carefully crafted not just for audiences, but also to keep the present-day establishment happy.
Mayasabha review: Entertainment with an illusion of balance
Mayasabha is a visually appealing and sharply produced political drama that raises important questions—but selectively answers them. It’s a work of fiction masquerading as near-truth, and while it entertains, it does so by creating an illusion of balance. Perhaps that’s the ultimate irony of the show—in a story full of power plays and betrayals, the real illusion might be the truth itself.
Rating: 2/5
