Nadigaiyar Thilagam (Mahanati in Telugu) is the biopic of legendary south Indian actress Savitri. Nag Ashwin has written and directed the movie, which is bankrolled by his father-in-law C Ashwini Dutt. Keerthy Suresh plays the title role with Dulquer Salmaan enacting the character of actor Gemini Ganeshan in the flick.
Samantha Akkineni will be seen as a journalist named Madhuravani. Vijay Devarakonda has done the role of Vijay Anthony. Rajendra Prasad, Tanikella Bharani, Bhanupriya, Malavika Nair, Tulasi and others are in the cast. Actors such as Jr NTR, Naga Chaitanya, Prakash Raj and a host of other actors have done a cameo.
Mickey J Meyer has composed the music, it has Dani Sanchez-Lopez's cinematography and Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao's editing.
Nadigaiyar Thilagam tells her journey in films, success and failures, and stardom. Moreover, it throws light on her personal life.
Going by the posters and promos, Keerthy Suresh has close resemblances with Savitri. Although a section of people was skeptic about she doing justice to the legendary actress in the biopic, the teaser has clearly shown that the Bairabaa actress is the perfect choice for the role.
Will the movie, which is releasing on Wednesday, May 9, do justice to Savitri's life? Can the film win the hearts of the audience? Find it in the viewers' words below:
Rajasekar: #Mahanati - kudos @VyjayanthiFilms for the grand production values. Impressive CG work, the massive sets replicating Madras Presidency and iconic studios were flawless
#Mahanati - A unique role for @Samanthaprabhu2, loved her emotional performance in the climax. Though it's not a titular role, we get to know about Savitri only through her. Well done
#Mahanati - 4/5, the scene where @KeerthyOfficial says, back then I was Savitri, now I'm Savitri Ganesan to @dulQuer and her post mental trauma deserve special mention. Loved it, will write more the film in my review. Loved it
#Mahanati - My respect for @dulQuer only grows with each and every film, can't think any other actor in place of him as the Grey shaded 'Kadhal Mannan' Gemini Ganesan. As usual, the actor carried the role with a great ease.
#Mahanati - 4/5, What a commendable performance by @KeerthyOfficial, she owns the film completely. It won't be an exaggeration to say Keerthy has lived as #Savitri. Loved her young innocence, queenly screen presence and the heart-wrenching climax. Lifetime role for her.
Ramesh Bala: #NadigaiyarThilagam [4/5] : A well researched and executed Biopic of Legendary Actress #Savithri
@KeerthyOfficial gets the role of her lifetime and delivers a nuanced performance.. Will be a strong contender for awards next year..
#NadigaiyarThilagam [4/5] : It takes certain flamboyance to play the role of "Kadhal Mannan" #GeminiGanesan
@dulQuer fits the role well.. He is one of the major strengths of the movie..
#NadigaiyarThilagam [4/5] : @Samanthaprabhu2 's role is so different.. Such a contrast from her bold gal role in #Rangasthalam
Very convincingly plays the journo role.. Touching performance in the climax..
#NadigaiyarThilagam [4/5] : Camera work , Music and Production Design deserve special mention..
Among supporting actors, #RajendraPrasad is impressive..
Kudos to Dir #NagAshwin and Producers for making this gem..
#NadigaiyarThilagam [4/5] : @Samanthaprabhu2 's role is so different.. Such a contrast from her bold gal role in #Rangasthalam
Very convincingly plays the journo role.. Touching performance in the climax..
Prashanth Rangaswamy: #NadigaiyarThilagam - Take your family with confidence to this movie. You will come out very satisfied with one value added to your life - money is not everything and give as much as u can. Each and every one of you will come out with a heavy heart without age bar.
The scenes involving young savithri - makes u want to cry in joy. Only god knows how the director picked that little girl to do the role. #NadigaiyarThilagam.
#NadigaiyarThilagam First half - Savithri madam has literally blessed @KeerthyOfficial - She has wiped out all the comments against her just through the first half. Cinematography and production design - telugu cinema yet again proves its might , enjoying every second .
#NadigaiyarThilagam - Even if you are not acting in movies any more, you shouldn't be worried @KeerthyOfficial . No one will question your performance ever from here on! took me at-least 2 hours to come out of the movie!! your career is blessed!!
For @Samanthaprabhu2 to accept a role like this needs lot of maturity . She fits in 101% and does justice to the role !! #NadigaiyarThilagam .
Cinematography - 80s portion in 80s camera. You need guts to take such a decision. Biggest asset of this movie is cinematography and production design. #NadigaiyarThilagam .
Kaushik LM: Good to see @dulQuer dubbing on his own in #NadigaiyarThilagam. He is the best now to play loverboy roles. What an easy charmer.. #GeminiGanesan
#NadigaiyarThilagam 2nd half - @KeerthyOfficial is extraordinary during the emotional outburst moments. Remarkable level! And, in the MayaBazaar, Pasamalaar sequences, she just holds the frame. Wow! #Mahanati
Surendhar MK: My respect for @KeerthyOfficial just increased a notch higher. Lifetime performance as Savitri in #NadigaiyarThilagam. An excellent emotional roller-coaster ride and she's shouldered the film from the driver's seat effortlessly. Definitely a role to remember for her
Sreedhar Pillai: #NadigaiyarThilagam belongs to @KeerthyOfficial a knockout performance and lives the role of #Savithri . Only #DQ can do egoistic 'kathal Mannan' #GeminiGanesan . @Samanthaprabhu2 does a neat job as stammering reporter. #NagAshwin has beautifully created that era, but a bit slow.
