Ghaati, directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, positions Anushka Shetty as a powerful rebel queen rising from the Eastern Ghats against systemic exploitation. While the film scores high on visual grandeur and performances, its predictable writing and uneven execution hold it back from becoming the gripping epic it aspires to be.
The Story and Setting
Set in the rugged landscape of the Andhra-Odisha border, Ghaati blends fact and fiction around cannabis cultivation and smuggling. The story follows Sheelavathi (Anushka Shetty), a bus conductor with dreams of a simple life alongside her fiancé Desi Raju (Vikram Prabhu). When local crime lords, corrupt officials, and a manipulative system devastate her world, Sheelavathi is forced to channel her rage into a larger fight—not just for personal revenge but also to liberate her marginalized community.
The Eastern Ghats provide more than a backdrop; they frame the struggles of the “ghaatis,” porters who historically carried enormous burdens across mountains, here symbolizing exploited tribal lives. Cinematographer Manojh Reddy Katasani captures this world with scale and beauty, though the heavy-handed narrative often dilutes its impact.
Performances
Anushka Shetty owns the film with her commanding presence. She brings conviction to both the intimate moments of Sheelavathi’s journey and the larger-than-life action sequences. Her physicality in stunt-heavy portions is impressive, though the writing sometimes reduces her arc to familiar revenge tropes.
Vikram Prabhu, in his Telugu debut, complements Anushka with a grounded performance. Their romance adds warmth, even if underexplored. Jagapathi Babu provides some unpredictability as a morally ambiguous cop, while Chaitanya Rao Madadi and Ravindra Vijay make for effective, if slightly one-note, villains.
Strengths and Weaknesses
One of Ghaati’s greatest strengths lies in Anushka Shetty’s performance. She effortlessly balances grit and vulnerability, elevating even the most formulaic stretches of the screenplay. The film also benefits from its strong world-building—drawing richly from the culture and geography of the Eastern Ghats—and the sweeping cinematography that brings the rugged terrain to life. Vikram Prabhu’s dignified portrayal ensures that his role isn’t overshadowed, while the production design and action choreography give the film a strong visual appeal.
However, the weaknesses begin to weigh down the narrative as the story progresses. The screenplay, despite its ambitious themes of rebellion and justice, falls back on predictable beats that dilute the impact. Emotional depth is lacking, particularly in the second half where character arcs are rushed or left underdeveloped. The climax overstays its welcome with prolonged violence, relying more on spectacle than substance. Moreover, the social commentary around systemic exploitation remains surface-level, leaving viewers with the sense that the film promised more than it ultimately delivered.
Technical Aspects
While the cinematography and art direction immerse viewers in the terrain, uneven editing makes the 156-minute runtime feel stretched. Nagavelli Vidya Sagar’s background score adds energy in places, but the songs barely register. The dialogues occasionally spark but fail to elevate flat stretches of writing.
Final Verdict
Ghaati begins with rich potential, weaving together themes of oppression, rebellion, and justice. Yet, the film falters by leaning too heavily on formulaic revenge drama tropes, leaving its social commentary underexplored. Anushka Shetty’s commanding performance and the immersive world-building prevent it from sinking, but the film remains more memorable for its lead star than for its storytelling.
Bullseye Rating:★★★ (3/5 stars)
Ghaati is an ambitious revenge saga powered by Anushka Shetty’s strong performance, but weak writing and overindulgent action stop it from reaching its full potential.
The movie is currently in theatres.
