Ghaati Review: A missed opportunity despite a solid backdrop and Anushka Shetty’s efforts

Ghaati Story

Sheelavati (Anushka Shetty) and Desiraju (Vikram Prabhu) are Ghaatis who work as drug peddlers on the Andhra–Odisha border. The cops are after them, and a drug cartel led by Kundala Naidu (Chaitanya Rao) is trying to wipe out their existence. As time passes, the couple gets caught in crazy situations, and Sheelavati is left all alone in the battle to save her clan. How she manages to rise above it all forms the crux of the story.

Ghaati Review

Popular director Krish Jagarlamudi returns to filmmaking after walking out of Pawan Kalyan's Hari Hara Veera Mallu, which ended as a flop. He chooses a fresh subject of Ghaatis set in the Eastern Ghats and pens the story of a couple who fight against all odds to give their clan new hope. Though the premise has a lot of potential, Krish turns it into a routine action drama, which is the film’s biggest drawback.

After a point, Anushka is left to take on the cops, the system, and the goons all by herself, which feels over the top. Ghaati starts on a promising note as the world of drug peddlers and the mafia is showcased in a gripping way. Vikram Prabhu’s character stands out, but Anushka’s role is underwritten and lacks depth.

Things pick up about half an hour before the interval, and the first half ends on a strong note. However, throughout the film, the emotions feel missing. Unlike Krish’s earlier works like Vedham and Kanche, the pain between the lead pair and their struggles are not well elevated. Another drawback is the lack of chemistry between Anushka and Vikram Prabhu.

The film does feature solid action sequences for Anushka, which look stylish in the setup. Yet, her character’s pain and her desire to leave the drug world are not established convincingly. The second half, in particular, falls flat with routine moments and devolves into a predictable revenge drama.

Anushka’s domination of the proceedings feels exaggerated, and the last fifteen minutes, where her character tries to spark a revolution, are bland and devoid of emotion. Events move too quickly, and the intensity her character requires is missing. The depth in the proceedings is missing as there are no standout moments.

Coming to the performances, Anushka gets a meaty role but comes across as naive, shining only in a few moments. This is because Krish fails to elevate her character in the first half. Still, her action sequences and screen presence are impressive. Vikram Prabhu makes a decent Telugu debut and has substantial screen time in the first half, but his character is underdeveloped, and he feels miscast.

Chaitanya Rao (Mayasabha fame) excels as the antagonist, proving once again that he can handle complex roles. John Vijay is irritating, while Ravindra Vijay’s role lacks proper establishment. Raju Sundaram impresses in a well-written role. Jagapathi Babu, as the cop, goes overboard, adding little to the film.

Sagar’s music fails to make an impact, though his background score works well. The cinematography is good, but it does not fully capture the beauty of the Eastern Ghats. Editing is weak, as at least ten minutes from the second half could have been trimmed.

Ghaati had immense potential, but Krish’s surprisingly mediocre narration holds it back. The action drama, which starts on a promising note, falters in multiple areas and fails to induce goosebumps, evoking moments as shown in the promos. Anushka tries to salvage the film with her presence, but the routine storytelling prevents it from standing out.

Ghaati Verdict

On the whole, Ghaati has a terrific backdrop, but the weak narrative plays spoilsport. The trademark emotions of Krish’s films are missing, and despite Anushka Shetty’s sincere efforts, the film ends up being a strictly okay watch this weekend.

Also Read: Krish on casting Chaitanya Rao in Ghaati: Mayasabha proved he can stun as a villain

FAQs

Q. When will Anushka Shetty's Ghaati release?

A. Ghaati released on September 5, 2025. Krish has directed the film.

Q. Who is the hero in Anushka Shetty's Ghaati?

A. Tamil actor Vikram Prabhu plays the main lead in Ghaati.

Q. What is Anushka Shetty's Ghaati all about?

A. Ghaati, with a period set-up, is about a daring woman who goes all out and saves her clan.

Q. Where to stream Ghaati on OTT?

A. You can stream the film on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run.