Ghaati (2025)

“Ghaati” marks Anushka Shetty’s fierce return to Telugu cinema in a powerful action crime drama that explores the dark world of illegal cannabis trade along the Andhra-Odisha border. Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, this 2025 release presents the story of a woman’s transformation from victim to criminal legend. Despite mixed critical reception, the film showcases Anushka in one of her most intense avatars, dealing with themes of survival, empowerment, and the price of justice in a world dominated by illegal trade.

Movie Overview & Basic Information

Category	Details
Movie Title	Ghaati
Release Date	September 5, 2025
Language	Telugu
Dubbed Languages	Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada
Genre	Crime, Drama, Action
Runtime	2h 36min (156 minutes)
Rating	16+
User Rating	3.3/5
Format	2D
Budget	Not officially disclosed

Release Date & Distribution Details

Ghaati was released on September 5, 2025, after multiple postponements. The film was originally scheduled for April 18, 2025, then moved to July 11, 2025, before finally settling on the September release date due to pending VFX work and production delays.

The film received a pan-India release in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam languages, catering to diverse audiences across the country. Despite the wide release, the film received mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences.

Cast & Characters

Lead Cast

• Anushka Shetty as Sheelavathi – A bus conductor who transforms from victim to criminal legend
• Vikram Prabhu as Desi Raju – A doctor who becomes involved in the ganja trade
• Chaitanya Rao Madadi as Kundala Naidu – One of the ganja mafia controllers
• Jagapathi Babu in a significant police officer role

Supporting Cast

• Jisshu Sengupta as Mr. Mandhani – A business tycoon
• Larissa Bonesi as Nirali Roy – Elite lobbyist and Mr. Mandhani’s secretary
• VTV Ganesh as M.P. Bojjayya
• Ravindra Vijay as Kashtala Naidu – Ganja mafia controller
• John Vijay in a supporting role
• Devika Priyadarshini in a key role
• Raghav Rudra Mulpuru in the ensemble cast

Director & Crew Information

Director & Writer: Krish Jagarlamudi
Writers: Chintakindi Srinivas Rao, Krish Jagarlamudi, Burra Sai Madhav
Producers: Yeduguru Rajeev Reddy, Saibabu Jagarlamudi
Production Houses: UV Creations, First Frame Entertainments
Music Director: Nagavelli Vidya Sagar
Cinematographer: Manojh Reddy Katasani
Editors: Chanakya Reddy Toorupu, Venkata Swamy Nakka
Art Director: Thota Tharrani

Plot & Storyline Summary

Set along the Eastern Ghats on the Andhra-Odisha border, Ghaati tells the story of the illegal cannabis cultivation and smuggling operations controlled by the Naidu family. The narrative follows Sheelavathi (Anushka Shetty), a bus conductor who falls in love with Desi Raju (Vikram Prabhu), a doctor.

The story explores how the couple becomes involved in the ganja mafia world after witnessing the injustices faced by the “Ghaatis” – the coolies who transport cannabis through the hills. What begins as a fight for justice gradually transforms Sheelavathi from a victim into a powerful figure in the illegal trade.

The film chronicles her journey through three phases: Victim, Criminal, and Legend, as she navigates the dangerous world of drug trafficking while dealing with personal tragedy and the loss of her loved ones.

Critical Reception & Reviews

Critics’ Verdict: The film received largely negative reviews from critics, with most publications rating it between 2/5 to 2.75/5.

Major Criticisms:

• Weak and uneven screenplay
• Lack of gripping narration
• Formulaic writing without conviction
• Missing emotional drive that Krish’s films are known for
• Poor editing making the film feel longer than necessary

Positive Aspects Highlighted:

• Anushka Shetty’s powerful performance and screen presence
• Attractive visuals of the Eastern Ghats
• A few well-executed action sequences
• Interesting premise and social backdrop

Audience Reception & Box Office Performance

User Ratings: The film received mixed response from audiences with a 3.3/5 rating from general viewers and 5.4/10 on IMDb.

Box Office Performance: Ghaati failed to make a significant impact at the box office, with reports suggesting it faced an 86% deficit in collections. The film was labeled as a “disaster” at the box office within its first week.

Audience Feedback: While Anushka’s fans appreciated her intense performance, general audiences found the narrative weak and execution lacking compared to expectations from a Krish Jagarlamudi film.

Songs & Music Details

Music Director: Nagavelli Vidya Sagar
Music Reception: The film’s soundtrack received mixed reviews, with critics noting that the songs fell flat while the background score provided some relief during crucial moments.

Musical Elements: The score incorporates tribal and folk elements to match the Eastern Ghats setting, though it failed to create memorable tracks that audiences could connect with.

Trailer & Promotional Campaign

Trailer Release: The official trailer was released on August 6, 2025, and garnered over 5 million views on YouTube within days of release.

Promotional Strategy: The makers released multiple glimpses and posters, including a special release on Anushka’s birthday (November 7, 2024) that generated significant buzz on social media.

Celebrity Endorsements: Prabhas supported the film through his social media, writing encouraging words for his “Sweety” (Anushka), calling the trailer “intense and intriguing.”

Technical Aspects & Production Values

Cinematography: Manojh Reddy Katasani captured the rugged terrain of the Eastern Ghats effectively, providing one of the film’s visual highlights.

Art Direction: Thota Tharrani’s production design created authentic locations that reflected the border region’s atmosphere.

Action Sequences: Ram Krishna choreographed the action scenes, with a few sequences featuring Anushka receiving praise from critics.

Editing Issues: The editing by Chanakya Reddy Toorupu and Venkata Swamy Nakka was criticized for making the 2h 36min runtime feel unnecessarily long.

Anushka Shetty’s Performance & Transformation

Character Depth: Anushka delivered an intense performance as Sheelavathi, embodying the character’s journey from innocence to criminal mastermind.

Physical Transformation: The actress underwent a significant transformation for her role, appearing in a fierce, action-oriented avatar different from her previous films.

Career Impact: Despite the film’s overall reception, critics universally praised Anushka’s commitment to the role, with many calling it a “once-in-a-generation performance.”

Comparison with Similar Films

Pushpa Influence: Critics often compared Ghaati to the Pushpa series, noting that while both films deal with illegal trade on Andhra borders, Pushpa delivered more engaging cinema with better execution.

Krish’s Previous Works: The film was seen as a departure from Krish’s usual emotional storytelling style, lacking the depth found in his previous collaborations with Anushka like Vedam.

Social Themes & Message

Drug Trade Commentary: The film attempts to address the real-world issue of cannabis cultivation and its impact on tribal communities, though critics felt the message got lost in poor execution.

Women’s Empowerment: Anushka’s character arc from victim to leader touches on themes of female empowerment, though the treatment was considered formulaic.

Economic Desperation: The film explores how economic circumstances drive people into illegal activities, particularly affecting marginalized communities.

Behind-the-Scenes & Production Notes

Collaboration History: Ghaati marks the second collaboration between Anushka Shetty and Krish Jagarlamudi after their 2011 film Vedam, where Anushka played the memorable character Saroja.

Location Shooting: The film was extensively shot in the Eastern Ghats region along the Andhra-Odisha border to maintain authenticity.

Production Delays: Multiple postponements were attributed to VFX work and post-production requirements, suggesting ambitious technical goals that may not have been fully realized.

OTT & Digital Release

Streaming Platform: While official OTT details haven’t been announced, given UV Creations’ previous deals, major streaming platforms are likely considering digital rights.

Digital Availability: Post-theatrical run, the film is expected to find a second life on digital platforms where Anushka’s performance might be better appreciated.

Final Verdict & Recommendations

For Anushka Fans: Die-hard fans of Anushka Shetty will find her performance worth watching, as she delivers one of her most intense portrayals to date.

For General Audiences: The film’s weak screenplay and execution issues make it a disappointing watch for those expecting Krish Jagarlamudi’s usual standards.

For Action Drama Enthusiasts: While the film has moments of engaging action, the overall narrative fails to sustain interest throughout its lengthy runtime.

Critical Assessment: Ghaati represents a missed opportunity where a compelling premise and powerful lead performance couldn’t overcome fundamental storytelling weaknesses.

The film stands as a reminder that even with talented actors and experienced directors, strong execution and tight scripting remain essential for cinematic success. Despite its commercial failure, Anushka’s fierce portrayal ensures that Ghaati will be remembered as an important entry in her filmography, showcasing her willingness to take on challenging, unconventional roles.

Disclaimer: This article provides comprehensive information about “Ghaati” for entertainment and informational purposes. Ratings and reviews are based on critical consensus and audience feedback from various sources. For the latest updates, follow official social media channels and authorized news sources.