Anushka Shetty returns in a powerful new role in Ghaati. Explore the trailer breakdown, her fierce transformation, and whether it will outshine Madharasi in the 2025 box office clash.
The Indian film industry is abuzz with two powerful female-centric films, Ghaati and Madharasi, being released on September 5, 2025. But the talk of the town is Anushka Shetty’s raw and unconquerable transformation in the upcoming film Ghaati.
Anushka Shetty is known for playing powerful, unforgettable roles, which can range from Arundhati to Devasena. So, Anushka is back! And now there is talk about whether Ghaati will surpass the box office film Madharasi. Let’s take a closer look at what the trailer is revealing and why the role could be a game-changer for Anushka, and how the films compare with one another.
Anushka Shetty’s Brand New Avatar in Ghaati
From Subtle Power to an Explosive Power
In the trailer for Krish Jagarlamudi’s Ghaati, Anushka Shetty appears unlike we have seen her in several years. She is the epitome of a woman being pushed to her breaking point, and after being pushed, creating a path of rebellion.
In Ghaati, the setting of the film, the scenery is the rugged and natural beauty of the Eastern Ghats, which serves as both a beautiful and heartbreaking canvas for a land struggling with drug trafficking and systemic degeneration, and social injustice. Ghaati is not a film about crime and mayhem in the Eastern Ghats; it is also one of uprising, justice, and redemption.
She Leads the Fight — Not Just the Frame
As per the trailer, we can see a dual narrative: a personal journey of transformation, and a group fight against injustice. Vikram Prabhu is there to support Anushka through these challenges and embodies a great role, but make no mistake, it’s Anushka who captivates the audience — her physical intensity is matched only by her emotional severity.
This role asks her to move from the head of a revolution, to executing heavy-duty action, and it evokes a past iconic role and it manages to feel fresh, timely and intricately layered.
Why ‘Ghaati’ May Be Anushka Shetty’s Career Change
Anushka Shetty has always chosen roles that defy stereotypes and archetypes of women on film, whether it is the warrior queen (Baahubali), a haunted woman (Bhaagamathie), or even a zany romantic (Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty). But Ghaati feels different. More grounded. More pressing.
Here are some reasons why this role may reset her
1. Raw, Real, and Relevant
Ghaati is about contemporary issues we hear about often — rural exploitation, narcotics, etc — challenging subject matter that is still hardly understood in society, and infrequently explored in mainstream South Indian films with female leads.
2. Female-Led Action
Forgive me if I chronicle this correctly, but there have been female action leads in India, though few directors/human beings can credibly portray physically demanding representations of female action heroes as Anushka does. Again, the trailer suggests things like hand-to-hand combat, guerrilla warfare, and emotionally fraught scenes — all of which she appears convincing in.
3. Working With Krish Jagarlamudi
Krish has directed Kanche, Gautamiputra Satakarni, and other films that are strong on telling a good story with heart. I can envision great things coming together in Krish’s mind (with Anushka’s intensity). We should be happy with the end result.
Trailer Reception: The Buzz So Far
The official Ghaati trailer has reached over 18 million views on YouTube, and is trending at No. 2 in India, all within 48 hours of dropping!
Let’s take a look at some audience reactions:
Twitter Trend: #AnushkaShettyIsBack
YouTube Comments: “Anushka’s unmatched screen presence!”
Reddit Threads: Describing the tone of Ghaati like Bandit Queen meets KGF but with a female lead.
Clearly, the hype is real – and growing.
Will ‘Ghaati’ outshine ‘Madharasi’? Let’s Find Out
Pros in Ghaati’s Favor:
Socially relevant subject
Anushka’s comeback
Krish is directing a good story with emotion
Strong visuals and supporting cast
Challenges:
A more commercial and mass film is coming up in Madharasi
Viewer fatigue from the now common rural-rebellion-like storylines (Pushpa, Dasara, …)
Execution and pacing will be so important
That said, if Ghaati can nail the landing, it’s got the potential to be both a critically and commercially successful film – and even be more culturally significant than Madharasi for a longer amount of time.
Final Verdict: Worth Watching?
With its promising trailer, impressive thematic juxtaposition, and Anushka Shetty’s ass-whooping performance, Ghaati will not only feel like an opening but an event. While it may be too early to crown the box office winner, Ghaati could emerge in the land of winners in the eternal bet with Madharasi’s unhinged fun, if only because of the themes and profoundness of Ghaati, and of course, the emotional weight.
FAQs
1. When does Ghaati come out?
Ghaati is slated for release on September 5th, 2025 and will be in competition with Madrasai.
2. Is Ghaati based on a real story?
While there has been no officially confirmed stories of real incidents, the subject matter of Ghaati appears to be based on some real-life themes found like rural abuse and drug cartels in Eastern India.
3. Who directed Ghaati?
Ghaati was directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, who is probably best known for films like Vedam, Kanche and Gautamiputra Satakarni.
4. What intrigued Anushka Shetty’s character in Ghaati?
She starts off as a woman who has become a victim of systemic oppression, and then pivots to become a breed women warrior leading a revolt against the oppression.
5. Who acts alongside Anushka Shetty?
Vikram Prabhu is listed as a supporting actor; presumably as the love interest or unlikely ally.