Ghaati Movie Review (2025): Anushka Shetty & Vikram Prabhu Deliver a Gripping Action Drama

Ghaati (2025) is a Telugu-language drama thriller directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and written by Chintakindi Srinivas Rao. Produced under First Frame Entertainments by Yeduguru Rajeev Reddy and Saibabu Jagarlamudi, the film stars Anushka Shetty and Vikram Prabhu in lead roles. Released on 5th September 2025, the film runs for 155 minutes and has already generated buzz for its unique blend of action, social drama, and intense emotional storytelling.

With a backdrop rooted in the Eastern Ghats, the film explores the struggles of marginalized communities caught in the vicious circle of the ganja mafia. Let’s dive deeper into the Ghaati movie review to see how Krish balances action, romance, and social commentary.

Ghaati Movie Storyline

Set along the Odisha–Andhra border, Ghaati revolves around the lives of coolies—referred to as “Ghaatis”—who are exploited by the Naidu family, rulers of a powerful ganja empire.

• Sheelavathi (Anushka Shetty) is a bus conductor, known for her grit and compassion. She falls in love with Desi Raju (Vikram Prabhu), a doctor who shares her sense of justice.

• The villains of the story, Kundala Naidu (Chaitanya Rao Madadi) and Kashtala Naidu (Ravindra Vijay), exploit laborers to sustain their ganja empire.

• Unable to tolerate injustice, Sheelavathi and Desi Raju rise against the mafia. However, their rebellion comes at a cost—the Naidus seek revenge and plan a brutal attack on the couple.

• The rest of the film explores burning questions:

  • Why did Sheelavathi and Desi Raju risk everything to challenge the Naidus?

  • Will love survive in the face of mafia brutality?

  • Can Sheelavathi fulfill her lover’s mission and free the Ghaatis from generational exploitation?

The film is layered with romance, betrayal, vengeance, and redemption, making it more than just a typical gangster drama.

Cast & Performances

• Anushka Shetty (Sheelavathi): Once again proves why she is among the finest actresses in Telugu cinema. Her transformation from a soft-hearted lover to a determined rebel is both powerful and convincing.

• Vikram Prabhu (Desi Raju): Marking his Telugu debut, Vikram delivers a solid performance. His role as a doctor-turned-revolutionary is heroic, subtle, and emotional.

• Chaitanya Rao Madadi (Kundala Naidu): A standout antagonist who brings menace and depth to his character.

• Jagapathi Babu: Plays a pivotal supporting role with his trademark gravitas.

• Raghav Rudra Mulpuru, Jisshu Sengupta, John Vijay, Devika Priyadarshini, Larissa Bonesi, VTV Ganesh, and Jwala Koti all add strong support to the narrative.

👉 Highlight: The chemistry between Anushka and Vikram Prabhu is refreshing, while the villains leave a chilling impact.

Technical Aspects

• Direction (Krish Jagarlamudi): Known for blending history and drama (Kanche, Gautamiputra Satakarni), Krish delivers a story rooted in realism yet filled with cinematic grandeur.

• Writing (Chintakindi Srinivas Rao): Sharp dialogues and a gripping screenplay keep audiences hooked for most of the runtime.

• Cinematography (Manojh Reddy Katasani): The Eastern Ghats come alive with breathtaking visuals, contrasting natural beauty with the dark underworld of the ganja trade.

• Editing (Chanakya Reddy Toorupu): Though the film could have been trimmed by 10–15 minutes, the editing is mostly tight, especially in action sequences.

• Music (Nagavelli Vidya Sagar): The background score elevates the emotional intensity, while the songs blend seamlessly with the narrative.

Highlights

✅ Anushka Shetty’s powerhouse performance
✅ Engaging storyline with strong social commentary
✅ Stunning visuals of the Eastern Ghats
✅ Realistic portrayal of mafia and exploitation
✅ Emotional climax with a strong message

Drawbacks

❌ Slightly stretched second half
❌ Predictable moments in the revenge arc
❌ Heavy drama may not appeal to those expecting pure commercial entertainment

Ghaati Movie Verdict

Overall, Ghaati (2025) is a well-made social action drama that combines emotion, action, and realism. Anushka Shetty is the heart of the movie, while Vikram Prabhu makes a memorable Telugu debut. The powerful storyline, backed by Krish’s direction, ensures that Ghaati leaves a lasting impact.

👉 If you’re a fan of intense drama with a social message, Ghaati is a must-watch.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (2.5/5)

Audience Verdict/Review

One Word – GOOD FILM ✅#AnushkaShetty – THE ONLY ACTRESS Who Can Do ACTION Like a QUEEN 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Second Half DOMINATES the FIRST HALF.#Krish Writing is Good VISUALS are GREAT.#GetsCinema – Reached – HYPEMETER – 84%#Ghaati #GhaatiReview

pic.twitter.com/Y8ov7cztFx

— GetsCinema (@GetsCinema) September 5, 2025

#Ghaati #AnushkaShetty #GhaatiReview

Ghaati Movie Review =
– UnConvincing 😢

OverAll = 2.35/5

Story = 2.25/5

🎶/BGM = 2.5/5 👍

Action = 2.15/5

1st Half = 2/5 😥

Interval =2.25/5

2nd Half =2.4/5

Performances =3/5 👍

Climax = 2/5

Waiting For Kathanar: Wild Sorcerer🔥 pic.twitter.com/pp72nkKRgg

— ReviewerBossu (@ReviewerBossu) September 5, 2025

FAQs

Q1: Who directed the movie Ghaati (2025)?
A: Ghaati is directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, known for films like Kanche and Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Q2: Who are the lead actors in Ghaati?
A: The movie stars Anushka Shetty as Sheelavathi and Vikram Prabhu (making his Telugu debut) as Desi Raju.

Q3: What is the story of Ghaati?
A: Set in the Eastern Ghats, Ghaati follows Sheelavathi and Desi Raju as they challenge the Naidu family’s ganja mafia empire while fighting for the rights of oppressed laborers known as “Ghaatis.”

Q4: When was Ghaati released?
A: The film was released in theaters on 5th September 2025 after multiple postponements.

Q5: Who produced Ghaati?
A: The film is jointly produced by Yeduguru Rajeev Reddy and Saibabu Jagarlamudi under First Frame Entertainments.

Q6: Who composed the music for Ghaati?
A: The music is composed by Nagavelli Vidya Sagar, who provided a powerful background score and soulful songs.

Q7: Is Ghaati based on a true story?
A: While not a direct biopic, the film is inspired by real issues of ganja smuggling and exploitation of tribal laborers in the Eastern Ghats.

Q8: What is the runtime of Ghaati?
A: The film has a runtime of 155 minutes.

Q9: How is Anushka Shetty’s performance in Ghaati?
A: Anushka delivers a power-packed performance, transitioning from a simple bus conductor to a fearless woman challenging the mafia.

Q10: What is the overall rating of Ghaati?
A: The movie has received positive reviews, with an average rating of 2.5/5 stars, praised for performances, direction, and social message.