Ghaati (2025), directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, is a Telugu-language action crime drama that attempts to weave a tale of empowerment, rebellion, and survival against the rugged backdrop of the Eastern Ghats. Starring Anushka Shetty as Sheelavathi, alongside Vikram Prabhu, Chaitanya Rao Madadi, and Jagapathi Babu, the film dives into the gritty world of cannabis smuggling and the exploitation of the marginalized Ghaati community.

Released on September 5, 2025, Ghaati arrives with significant buzz, largely due to Anushka Shetty’s return to a high-octane role and Krish’s reputation for crafting layered narratives. However, despite its ambitious premise and strong performances, the film struggles to rise above its clichés, uneven pacing, and technical shortcomings. This review explores the film’s strengths, weaknesses, and its place in contemporary Telugu cinema, drawing on critical and audience reactions while offering a balanced perspective.

Plot and Setting: A Promising Premise with Familiar Tropes

Set along the Andhra-Odisha border, Ghaati paints a vivid picture of the Eastern Ghats, where the Ghaati community is ensnared in a cycle of exploitation, forced to cultivate and smuggle cannabis for the domineering Naidu brothers, Kundala (Chaitanya Rao Madadi) and Kaastala (Ravindra Vijay).

The story centers on Sheelavathi, a bus conductor played by Anushka Shetty, and her childhood sweetheart, Desi Raju (Vikram Prabhu), a lab technician. Both are part of the Ghaati community and have a past tied to the cannabis trade, which they abandoned after a brush with the law. Their dream of uplifting their community leads them to challenge the Naidu brothers by venturing into their own cannabis operation, producing a new liquid-based product that disrupts the market. This act of defiance sets off a chain of events involving betrayal, revenge, and a fight for justice.

The narrative begins with a compelling montage that maps the cannabis trade’s journey from the Ghats to urban markets, establishing a gritty tone and a sense of place. The Eastern Ghats are not just a backdrop but a character in their own right, with Manojh Reddy Katasani’s cinematography capturing the region’s raw beauty and harshness in sweeping shots.

The first half builds a textured world, grounding the story in the cultural and economic realities of the Ghaatis. However, as the plot unfolds, it leans heavily on familiar tropes of Telugu action dramas—slow-motion heroics, predictable revenge arcs, and melodramatic confrontations—undermining its initial promise.

Ghaati Performances: Anushka Shetty’s Commanding Presence

Anushka Shetty, often hailed as the “Queen” of Telugu cinema, delivers a performance that is both the film’s heart and its saving grace. As Sheelavathi, she transitions from a seemingly ordinary woman to a fierce leader with a commanding screen presence. Her action sequences, particularly in the second half, are a highlight, showcasing her ability to embody strength and grace.

Critics and audiences alike have praised her body language and intensity, with some calling it one of her best performances since Arundhati and Bhaagamathie. Her ability to carry the film on her shoulders, especially in a male-dominated genre, is a testament to her star power and versatility. However, some reviews note that her performance occasionally borders on overacting, particularly in emotionally charged scenes where the writing fails to provide nuance.

Vikram Prabhu, making his Telugu debut as Desi Raju, offers a grounded performance that complements Anushka’s fire. His character’s arc—from a lab technician to a key player in the cannabis trade—is intriguing but underdeveloped. While Prabhu brings conviction, the script limits his ability to leave a lasting impact.

Chaitanya Rao Madadi shines as the menacing Kundala Naidu, delivering a performance that balances arrogance and threat. Ravindra Vijay and Jagapathi Babu, as Kaastala Naidu and a police officer, respectively, provide solid support, though their roles feel underutilized. The ensemble cast, including Jisshu Sengupta and VTV Ganesh, adds depth, but the large number of characters often results in a cluttered narrative.

Direction and Writing: Ambitious but Inconsistent

Krish Jagarlamudi, known for films like Gautamiputra Satakarni, brings his signature ambition to Ghaati. His attempt to blend raw action with social commentary is admirable, particularly in highlighting the exploitation of the Ghaati community and the moral complexities of the cannabis trade. The film’s opening act is strong, with a clear focus on world-building and character struggles.

However, the narrative falters in the second half, slipping into melodrama and predictable storytelling. The screenplay, credited to Chintakindi Srinivas Rao with dialogues by Sai Madhav Burra, lacks the sharpness needed to sustain tension. Key plot points, such as Sheelavathi and Desi Raju’s sudden leap into the cannabis business, feel unconvincing, and the pacing drags in the third act, particularly during preachy sequences that dilute the action.

Comparisons to Pushpa are inevitable, given the shared backdrop of smuggling, but Ghaati lacks the former’s cinematic highs and pulsating energy. While Pushpa glamorized its world, Ghaati aims for a grittier, more grounded approach, which is refreshing but not fully realized. The film’s message about courage and self-respect is clear, but its reliance on outdated templates and formulaic beats prevents it from being a standout.

Technical Aspects: A Mixed Bag

Technically, Ghaati is a mixed bag. Manojh Reddy Katasani’s cinematography is a high point, capturing the Eastern Ghats’ rugged terrain and the Ghaatis’ resilience with striking visuals. The action sequences, choreographed by Ram Krishna, are intense, particularly Anushka’s fight scenes, which carry a raw energy. However, the visual effects are a significant letdown. Critics have noted tacky VFX, particularly in scenes meant to enhance Anushka’s appearance, which make her look artificial and detract from the film’s authenticity.

Nagavelli Vidya Sagar’s music is another weak link. The score, described as stuck in the late ’90s, relies on generic drumbeats and melodramatic instrumentals that fail to elevate the narrative. The lack of a memorable soundtrack is a stark contrast to the expectations set by Krish’s previous collaborations with composers like Devi Sri Prasad. Editing by Venkata Swamy Nakka and Chanakya Reddy Toorupu feels uneven, with the second half dragging due to repetitive scenes and unnecessary violence.

Box Office and Reception: A Modest Success

Ghaati opened to mixed reviews, with critics praising Anushka’s performance and the film’s ambitious premise but criticizing its weak execution and clichés. The film’s box office performance reflects this divide. It earned ₹2.5 crore net on its opening weekend, climbing to ₹8 crore by day five and crossing ₹10 crore by day seven, with a projected lifetime net of ₹15 crore against a budget of ₹10–12 crore.

This makes it a modest hit, driven by strong word-of-mouth and Anushka’s fanbase, though it falls short of blockbuster status. The film’s non-theatrical and satellite rights, sold for ₹36 crore, mark a record for a woman-centric film, recovering 80% of its budget before release.

Audience reactions, particularly on platforms like X, highlight a polarized response. Fans of Anushka celebrate her action-heavy role and the film’s message of empowerment, with some calling it a “gripping” and “thought-provoking” experience.

Others, however, find the story predictable and the execution lacklustre, with complaints about the dubbing for Anushka’s character and the overall pacing. The film’s attempt to address the societal and moral complexities of cannabis cultivation is appreciated, but its failure to balance action and depth leaves many wanting more.

Themes and Social Commentary: A Missed Opportunity

Ghaati aims to shed light on the exploitation of marginalized communities and the moral dilemmas of survival in a criminal underworld. The film’s focus on the Ghaati community’s struggles and their fight for agency is compelling, particularly in the context of a woman-led narrative.

Anushka’s transformation from victim to legend carries a powerful message about resilience and self-respect, challenging the male-dominated conventions of the action genre. However, the film’s heavy-handed approach and reliance on clichéd tropes dilute its impact. The narrative could have delved deeper into the Ghaatis’ traditions and the socio-economic factors driving their involvement in the cannabis trade, but it often prioritizes action over substance.

Conclusion: A Film That Shines in Parts but Falls Short

Ghaati is a film of contrasts—bold in its ambition but flawed in its execution. Anushka Shetty’s commanding performance and the evocative setting of the Eastern Ghats are its strongest assets, offering moments of genuine intensity and emotion. However, the film’s reliance on familiar tropes, uneven pacing, and technical shortcomings prevents it from reaching its full potential.

Krish Jagarlamudi’s vision of a gritty, female-led action thriller is admirable, but the lack of a gripping screenplay and memorable music holds it back. For Anushka’s fans, Ghaati is a celebration of her star power, but for the general audience, it remains an average watch that promises more than it delivers.

In the broader context of Telugu cinema, Ghaati stands as a testament to the potential of woman-centric films to break moulds, but it also underscores the need for tighter writing and execution to truly resonate. It’s a film that sparks discussion—about gender dynamics, exploitation, and the power of resilience—but it struggles to leave a lasting mark. For those seeking a blend of action and social commentary, Ghaati is worth a watch for Anushka’s performance alone, but temper your expectations for a transformative cinematic