Mayasabha web series review: A fearless political thriller by Deva Katta exploring power, betrayal, and ambition. Now streaming on SonyLIV.
A Political Drama That Hits Like a Hammer
In a world where the majority of political dramas are so watered-down or protective of their audiences, Deva Katta’s ‘Mayasabha: The Rise of the Titans’ cuts through the noise with an unrefined, unapologetic, and brilliant look at the power games that are created in today’s society. Streaming on SonyLIV, this Telugu-language web series is not just a story— it is the stark unveiling of corruption, broken relationships, ambition, and the psychology of politics.
Is ‘Mayasabha’ your basic political thriller? Not even close. It’s an intellectual immersion that is worthy of more than just a watch, as it is also emotionally jarring. Let’s explore the reasons that make this work not only daring but exceedingly well-structured.
Deva Katta—The Man Behind The Fiction
Deva Katta is no stranger to the world of storytelling and political history. Famous for the film ‘Prasthanam’ (which still is a cult), he has a distinctive ability to intertwine personal ambition, philosophy, and politics within the constraints of one narrative.
With Mayasabha, Katta raises the stakes even further. The writing is razor-sharp, the characters are layered, the dialogues are rapturous and philosophical, and you feel the emotional intelligence and deep political knowledge of Katta.
Plot Summary — Enter the Arena of Titans
Spoiler-free synopsis
Mayasabha is a political drama that reveals the inner workings of political families and the opportunistic behaviors that are fueled by politics, aspirations, personal loss, and ideology.
From the start, Mayasabha starts with the death of a patriarch that ignites a power struggle, hosts some internal conflict in terms of familial obligations, with a need for economic and political power.
Every episode exposes the heartlessness just below the surface of political inertia as characters experience a metamorphosis that turns friendships into rivalries and political ideals into collateral damage, and they must negotiate their own moral failures.
Performance Review – Performances That Connect
#Mayasabha is easily one of the best political dramas. Brilliantly crafted! As a fictional story, it works to the core, gripping and unapologetically honest.
— pavan sadineni (@pavansadineni) August 6, 2025
Kudos to @devakatta for his impeccable direction & writing. Take a bow! 🔥👏 Big love to my brother @VijayKrishnaLin for… pic.twitter.com/SBc7h3JUZE
Standout Performances
While each actor develops a rich character, there are a few standout performances that merit special attention.
Jagapathi Babu brings a fantastic amount of gravitas to his character. He is a carefully simmering kettle who embodies controlled rage and internal conflict.
Navdeep is breathtaking and his performance appears understated, but his character slowly transitions from idealist to strategist, and he characterizes one of the strongest arcs of the series.
Hebah Patel is spirited and represents depth as she develops her character without relying on the standard tropes that political dramas explore with female characters.
The secondary characters are just as nuanced as they are written in a way that no character or character development appears to be disposable.
What’s Not To Love
1. Politics As Theatre
The name “Maya Sabha” (which means “Illusion Assembly”) implies political theatre. Everything — press conferences, speeches, handshakes, betrayals — is just an act that has been rehearsed.
2. The Price Of Loyalty
It explores how loyalty — be it to people, parties, or ideas — always has a price. Characters must weigh personal benefits against the obligation to the public.
3. Friendship vs. Power
At its core, Mayasabha is about the tragic erosion of lifelong friendships due to avarice, egos, and political maneuvers. It adds pathos in a way that few ensemble pieces accomplish.
Direction, Cinematography & Music – A Tactile & Aural Powerplay
The cinematography is symbolic, using shadows and harsh lights to capture the characters’ moral shades of grey.
Mahati Swara Sagar’s music is subtle and engaging. Always lingering just below surface agitation, it ratchets tension without overbearance.
The editing is sharp and doesn’t relent on the pace of the series while still allowing time for important emotional beats to resonate.
Lastly, hats off to the cinematographer G. Vinda for noticing the visual metaphor of light and power in every shot.
Flaws (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
Although the series is just short of brilliant, it does have some stumbles:
Occasional pacing issues mid-way.
Some side characters could have been better developed
People unfamiliar with Telugu politics may miss some subtext of the cost signified with subtitles
A Must-See for the Politically-Inclined
‘Mayasabha’ isn’t just a web series—it’s a statement. In a media landscape that transparently shares less and does so more with a motivation that doesn’t serve credibility, Deva Katta has delivered a story that challenges, upsets, and completes reality.
FAQs
1. Where can I watch Mayasabha?
The series is exclusively streaming on SonyLIV in India and worldwide.
2. How many episodes are in this season?
Season 1 has 8 episodes that run about 40-45 minutes on average.
3. Is Mayasabha based on real political events?
Although this is a work of fiction, it is based upon real-life Indian political deceptions, congenital competitive structures, and societal dynamics.
4. Can it be viewed by non-Telugu speakers?
Yes! It has high-quality subtitles and has also been dubbed in a few languages.
5. Will there be a Season 2?
There hasn’t been an official announcement yet; however, with the way it ended on a cliffhanger and the feedback it has received, Season 2 will be happening.
6. Who is Deva Katta?
Deva Katta is a well-respected filmmaker in Telugu cinema, who is best known for films such as Prasthanam. He director and writer for several political and philosophical projects.