Ghaati Review: Worth It for Anushka Shetty Action Fans

This Ghaati review starts with a simple question: can a strong lead carry a familiar story? Krish Jagarlamudi's Telugu action crime drama gives Anushka Shetty a rugged role in a striking location. The result is uneven, but it has moments that make the trip worthwhile.

Ghaati Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Ghaati plot unfolds in the Eastern Ghats, along the Andhra–Odisha border, where large-scale marijuana smuggling is a way of life. Sheelavathi (Anushka Shetty) is a resilient woman who, because of desperate circumstances, becomes entangled in this high-stakes trade. The tagline, "Victim. Criminal. Legend.", sums up the arc the film is chasing.

The first act sets up the world, the people who profit from it and the pressure that drags Sheelavathi in. Vikram Prabhu appears as Desi Raju, a figure tied to this business. That is as far as we will go here.

It is a Telugu-language film, and it runs a long 155 minutes. The Ghaati release date was 4 September 2025, with some sources listing 5 September.

What Works in Ghaati

The setting is the film's best asset. The hills and forests of the Eastern Ghats give the story a lived-in, dangerous feel, and critics have singled out the visuals and the backdrop as a highlight. This is a place you believe people could disappear in.

The action also lands when it counts. Reviewers say Shetty excels in the fight sequences, and she brings a physical conviction that sells the idea of a woman forced to fight to survive. For fans of action movie reviews, these scenes are the main draw.

The premise itself is solid. A reluctant outsider moving through a criminal economy is a proven hook, and the film frames it with some social weight.

Ghaati Cast and Performances

The Ghaati cast is led by Anushka Shetty as Sheelavathi. Most critics praise her work, though one calls it decent rather than great because the script does not give her enough to play. She does the most with the material, especially when the story turns physical.

Vikram Prabhu plays Desi Raju, and the supporting line-up includes Ramya Krishnan, Jagapati Babu, Ravindra Vijay and VTV Ganesh. That is a strong bench of Telugu cinema talent. The film's problem is not casting but how often the story lets these actors shine.

Where Ghaati Stumbles

The most common complaint is the writing. Critics describe a slow first half with scenes that drag, and a screenplay that feels predictable once the setup is done. At 155 minutes, that pacing matters.

Sheelavathi's characterisation is also called underwritten. For a film built around the idea of a victim becoming a legend, the transformation needs more depth than it gets. Without it, the emotional beats feel thinner than the action around them.

Critical reception has been mixed. Individual scores range from about 2 to 2.5 out of 5, and the IMDb audience score sits around 4.2 out of 10 in one listing. Director Krish Jagarlamudi has a vivid world to work with, but the film does not always match it with sharp storytelling.

Is Ghaati Worth Watching?

Ghaati is worth watching mainly if you are a fan of Anushka Shetty or of rugged regional action. Her performance, the Eastern Ghats setting and a few strong fight scenes give it real value. The predictable script and sluggish first half keep it from becoming the legend its tagline promises.

If you want a tight, surprising crime thriller, you may be frustrated. If you want a star-led, atmosphere-heavy drama and can forgive some slack pacing, it delivers enough. For more in this vein, browse our crime movie reviews or read our take on Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1, another forest-set epic with Shetty-level star power in its marketing. Full cast and crew details are on Ghaati's Wikipedia page.

Who Will Enjoy Ghaati

• Fans of Anushka Shetty who want to see her in a physical, action-heavy role.

• Viewers who like Telugu action dramas with a strong sense of place.

• Audiences who can tolerate a slow build for atmosphere and a few standout fights.