Mahanati, starring Keerthy Surent in the titular role, released on May 9. The film has received rave reviews from critics in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Keerthy’s portrayal of the late actor Savitri is the highlight of the film. But, there are other gems that one must look out for as well. This is probably the biggest multi-starrer to come out of the Tollywood. We give you a primer on who plays who in this film on south cinema’s golden era.
Keerthy Suresh - Mahanati Savitri
Keerthy Suresh plays the titular role, that of actor Savitri in the film.
Dulquer Salmaan - Gemini Ganesan
Dulquer Salmaan is essaying the role of actor Gemini Ganesan, Savitri’s husband.
Samantha Akkineni - Madhuravani
Samantha Akkineni will appear as journalist Madhuravani, who is also the narrator in Mahanati.
Vijay Deverakonda - Vijay Antony
Vijay Deverakonda plays the role of photographer named Vijay Antony in the film.
Naga Chaitanya - A Nageswar Rao
Naga Chaitanya is playing the role of his grandfather, A Nageswar Rao, who acted in a number of films opposite Savitri.
Bhanu Priya -- Savitri’s aunt
Rajendra Prasad - Savitri uncle KV Chowdary
Sahilini Pandey - Savitri’s friend Susheela
Shalini Pandey is playing the role of Susheela, Savitri’s friend, in the film.
Mohan Babu - SV Ranga Rao
Mohan Babu, who has been cast as veteran actor SV Ranga Rao, will be bringing back Ranga Rao’s character from Maya Bazaar in Mahanati.
Prakash Raj - Alluri Chakrapani
Prakash Raj is essaying the role of director-writer Alluri Chakrapani. He is also the man who brought the magazine Chandamama to the Telugu audience.
Krish Jagarlamudi - Director KV Reddy
Director Krish will appear as Kadiri Venkat Reddy, aka KV Reddy, who worked with Savitri in multiple films including the iconic fantasy fiction film Maya Bazaar, which he also produced.
Srinivas Avasarala - LV Prasad
Srinivas Avasarala will appear as director-producer LV Prasad, who worked with Savitri in films such as Misamma.
Malavika Nair - Alimelu, Gemini Ganesan’s first wife
The film documents the journey of actor Savitri from when she was a child to becoming one of the top actors and her final downfall. The film has 140 speaking characters and Keerthy Suresh alone has about 110 changes in the film.
Speaking about her experience of working in the film, Keerthy said, “The movie itself grows every day. Even as we dub for our roles, it grows and becomes more. For me it has come to mean more than opportunity. This has turned out to be an emotional journey. Throughout the film, I was in a zone where I had to be Savitri and live her life. I changed as a person. Even after I finished shooting for the film, it was not easy for me to come out of the character.”
Author tweets @Priyanka_S_MCC
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