Mayasabha: Rise of the TitansThe Telugu web series set to stream on Sony Liv on 7 August has raised curiosity. The story detects the journey of two friends who became political opponents in undivided Andhra Pradesh in the mid -1990s. As actor Chaitanya Rao’s dress and methods, as a portrayal of Ms. Rami Reddy and her character of Audi Pinnisti, Kakrala Krrish Naidu has compared the Chief Minister, late YS Rajashekhara Reddy and Hir Pradesh, N Chandrababu Nidu Chief Minister. However, writer-director Dev Katta claims that the series is imaginary and tries to portray the development of Telugu states.
Excerpts edited by interview:
May Sabha The basis is the basis for attracting real -life similarities to the audience. To what extent the story shows true events and personalities?
It is possible that viewers will attract similarities for real -life personality. My intention was to portray the feelings that run the characters. This idea comes from one of our producers who are very big fans House of cards And I like my earlier film, Departure, House of cards The United States politics can be considered as a reflection, but also relevant outside it.
Host Since 1975, Telugu has seen political awakening in the states of Telugu – the rise and collapse of Naxalism, factionalism and other aspects. The play around friendship, families and rivals has elements of Mahabharata. Host The leaders presents a grassroots level perspective that wanted to be educated from a rural background, and aspire to serve people.
For a long time, the people of Andhra Pradesh did not experience real democracy. He did not know who would be the next Chief Minister. The candidate was appointed by the head of a national party, almost how the British appointed a Viceroy. New leaders broke this format. I can’t term Host A biopic of two leaders because we are limited by our observation and perceptions, even if we are ready to portray someone’s story.
Aadhi Pinisetty and Chaitanya Rao Series | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The story begins with a political coup and dilemma of a character if he should oppose his father -in -law. This provokes the memories of the quarrel between late NT Ram Rao and Chandrababu Naidu …
These are grand events that shape our lives, in the state and in turn. The story is inspired by such incidents. I am sure that things will not be transpier as shown in the series – a leader calls his friend a phone call, now a political rival, and demanding guidance. In case of existential crisis, we reach a close friend. I wanted to find out the duality of friendship and respectable rivalry that shaped the politics of Andhra Pradesh. The event builds a bridge between the first and second season of the series.
Is the title a metaphor of struggle for power and ambition to reach the assembly?
Host Meaning for Mahabharata And can be interpreted as a metaphor of the State Legislative Assembly. An initial title in meditation was Indraprastha, in which the capital city was mentioned. But I wanted to be free from any title that would bring back memories DepartureWhich is still considered my best work. I want to do something better than this.
Chaitanya Rao as a doctor made in the series. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Tell us about the research that went on writing the series?
I enjoy the research aspect of writing a story the most. My first film, Venela, Came from my surroundings, originally the life of students. Departure And Republic Many were supported by research. I read and listen to many points including Amit Verma’s podcast Saw and ignoredAll those attitudes have helped in depth of my stories and characters.
How did you go about writing caste dynamics to portray circumstances but did not offend any community?
The story of India is the story of caste; No one can deny this. The caste system may have emerged for some reason in the past, but I believe it should not become a tool to suppress people. We took excessive care to portray social conditions; The debate is focused on the debate rather than praising or accusing any character or community. Everyone has their talk in their existence crisis and we have tried to portray it. There are 260 letters which have dialogues in this series and compared to my films, it is a larger area.
Spread over nine episodes, this series has a period of about three feature films. How did you complete the filming within three months?
We shot for 89 days. We targeted the final cut of five minutes footage each day. Early episodes focus on family plays and years of college. As meditation turns into politics, the canvas becomes bigger. We thanked it to a great team, which helped in pre-production and planning. Enough help was with my co-writer and co-director Kiran J Kumar and producer Vijay Krishna, who also worked with me Departure,
Sai Kumar in ‘Assembly’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
How did you go about the casting process? Sai Kumar plays a character that has similarities of mythological NT Ram Rao.
Sai Kumar’s choice GaruSrikanth Eynger, and many others were unanimously called as the script developed. The major credit for casting should go to Kiran who knew the strength of each actor. We also chose actors from the theater background, and some others for their personality. If they were limited by their dialogue distribution or acting skills, we did workshops. Nazrin and Bhawan loved to play important women characters. Overall, it was like a huge drama company. If the casting is correct, the journey is manageable.
Aadhi Pinisetty | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Most of your films have been social or political comments. In RepublicYou quote George Orwell: ‘There is no such thing as keeping out of politics in our age.’ Do you consider cinema to be infotainment/edutainment?
My next film will be intense and layered, but nothing will happen to politics. This Dev Katta 2.0 can be started. Art should be aspirational and I wanted my stories to do something. I recently came into an interview with director Wetrimaran in which he said that ‘anything is politics’. I agree We cannot be ignorant; We need to be politically aware.
You worked on a web series on Shivgami, discovering events before BahubaliThe series was given shelter. During the experience of working on long -lasting story May Sabha?
It definitely helps. We (Rajamouli and Arka Media Production House) had to achieve something on the lines of the purpose game of Thrones But pulled back for various reasons. This was a collective decision. Arka Media is one of the best production homes with which I have worked and we are planning something together.
You have often quoted Breaking bed And Righteous In the tasks that have affected you. Mani belonged to Ratnam Iruvar , A story of friends who turned political opponents , Also a reference point for May Sabha?
Mani Ratnam is one of the filmmakers who have affected me the most. Iruvar A great visual oratory poem was; a piece of art. Treatment of Host Very different; This is a greater basis to make the audience related to the characters.
(Mayabhas will stream on Sony Live from August 7)
Published – August 01, 2025 01:32 pm IST
