U/A | 2 hrs 36 mins | Released: 5 Sep, 2025 | Telugu & Tamil | Action & Crime
About the Movie
Watch it for Anushka Shetty’s comeback, and Krish’s textured world-building. But be prepared for a second half that slips into melodrama and predictable storytelling.
Cast
Anushka Shetty
Actress
Vikram Prabhu
Actor
Krish Jagarlamudi
Actor | Director | Writer
Ghaati Movie Review: A compelling drama that stumbles under the weight of its ambition
Story: Set against the rugged Eastern Ghats on the Andhra–Odisha border, the film delves into the lives of the ‘Ghaatis’, a marginalised community forced into cannabis cultivation and smuggling for the domineering Naidu brothers. Sheelavathi (Anushka) and Desi Raju (Vikram Prabhu) dream of freeing their people from this cycle of exploitation. Their stand puts them on a collision course with the cannabis syndicate led by the ruthless Kundhul Naidu (Chaitanya Rao Madadi) and Kaastala Naidu (Ravindra Vijay).
Review: After Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty, Anushka Shetty returns to the big screen with Ghaati, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi. Krish grounds the story in the cultural textures of Andhra, Odisha and the agency belt, using the Eastern Ghats as both backdrop and metaphor. The first half builds this world and its struggles convincingly, with Desi Raju playing a pivotal role. The second half focuses on Sheelavathi’s journey of vengeance, culminating in a fiery showdown with Kundhul Naidu. While powerful in intent, the climax veers into melodrama.
At its heart, Ghaati is a story about resistance and reclamation. It explores how oppressed communities, cornered by systemic exploitation, turn their pain into defiance. The film raises questions of survival, dignity and justice, while also underlining the heavy price of rebellion. By placing a woman at the centre of this cycle of violence and vengeance, Krish adds a fresh layer to the genre.
Ghaati works best as a showcase of Anushka Shetty’s screen presence. She commands attention throughout, though her transformation into an avenger could have felt more organically developed. Vikram Prabhu brings credibility as Desi Raju, while Jagapathi Babu (as Visawadeep Rao) and Raju Sundaram (as Pebbuli) provide lighter shades. Chaitanya Rao surprises with an eccentric turn as Kundhul Naidu, and Ravindra Vijay’s Kaastala Naidu adds menace. Supporting acts by Jisshu Sengupta, Larissa Bones, John Vijay and others round out the ensemble effectively.
Technically, the film delivers. The visuals are striking, capturing the lush yet harsh landscape of the Eastern Ghats with scale and authenticity. The production values are on par with big-ticket productions, giving the world a tangible texture. The background score and music serve the story well, even if they don’t rise to exceptional heights. Action sequences are mounted on a grand scale, though not always seamlessly integrated into the flow of the narrative.
Where the film stumbles is in the second half. The story turns predictable, the narrative thins out, and the pacing feels uneven, with the writing relying on excess sentiment rather than taut drama. The climax, though impactful in its staging, could have benefitted from tighter execution.
Ghaati is a revenge drama with strong performances, especially from Anushka Shetty, and an immersive setting in the Eastern Ghats. While the second half doesn’t fully match the promise of the first, the film remains a watchable effort that balances spectacle with substance.