Ghaati Movie Review – Anushka’s Raw Revenge Drama Falters in Execution
Introduction
Director Krish Jagarlamudi brings together tribal folklore, vengeance, and survival with his latest drama Ghaati. Featuring Anushka Shetty as Sheelavathi and Vikram Prabhu in his Telugu debut as Desi Raju, the film unfolds against the rugged backdrop of the Andhra–Odisha border. While the premise promises an intense mix of myth, betrayal, and rebellion, the execution leaves much to be desired.
Story
Sheelavathi, a humble bus conductor, finds her life shattered when betrayed by her own people. Pushed into a brutal world of smugglers, mafia lords, and corrupt officials, she transforms into a feared figure of retribution. Parallelly, her cousin Desi Raju gets caught in the crossfire of the mafia’s hunt for the “Ghaatis” — natives skilled in illicit trades. The storyline attempts to weave in themes of folklore, revenge, and resilience, but the lack of emotional heft makes it feel half-baked.
Performances
- Anushka Shetty carries the film with grit and presence, but her character arc is underwritten, limiting her potential to truly shine.
- Vikram Prabhu steps into Telugu cinema with confidence, yet his role feels more like a narrative tool than a fully fleshed-out character.
- Jagapathi Babu, Chaitanya Rao, Ravindra Vijay, Jisshu Sengupta, Larissa Bonesi and others contribute adequately, though their parts lack the depth to leave a lasting impression.
Technical Side
- Krish’s direction leans heavily into raw realism with earthy visuals and folklore-inspired imagery. However, the uneven pacing—particularly the sluggish first half—dampens the intensity.
- The background score often feels overbearing, and the songs appear force-fitted rather than organically placed.
- Strong production design and authentic landscapes lend credibility, but several subplots are underdeveloped, leaving the narrative scattered.
Verdict
Ghaati sets out to be a visceral tale of betrayal and revenge rooted in tribal culture, but falters in storytelling and emotional connect. Anushka Shetty’s commanding screen presence is the saving grace, though even she cannot salvage the flat writing and noisy presentation.
Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
A gritty idea weighed down by weak execution—watchable only for Anushka’s fans and lovers of raw action dramas.
