Chennai: Actress Keerthy Suresh has celebrated eight years of the critically acclaimed biographical drama Mahanati, calling it the most special film of her career and revealing how deeply she immersed herself in the role that eventually earned her a National Award.
The actress reflected on her journey with the film on its eighth anniversary, sharing that portraying legendary South Indian actress Savitri was emotionally demanding and transformative.
Speaking about the impact of the role, Keerthy said she became so deeply involved in the character that she nearly lost herself while filming the project.
“It would definitely have to be Mahanati. It was a very different role, and I had to completely immerse myself in the character. At one point, I was so deeply involved in the role that I almost lost myself in the character,” she said.
Mahanati remains a milestone in Keerthy’s career
Released in 2018, Mahanati became one of the most celebrated biographical films in South Indian cinema. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film chronicled the life, achievements and struggles of actress Savitri, who was regarded as one of the finest performers in Telugu and Tamil cinema.
The film not only received massive appreciation from audiences and critics but also established Keerthy Suresh as one of the leading actresses in Indian cinema.
Her powerful portrayal of Savitri earned widespread praise for capturing the late actress’s emotional depth, screen presence and personal struggles with remarkable authenticity.
Mahanati went on to win three National Film Awards, including Best Actress for Keerthy Suresh, Best Feature Film in Telugu and Best Costume Design.
The film’s success also marked a turning point in Keerthy’s career, helping her gain recognition across multiple film industries in India.
Story of legendary actress Savitri
Mahanati explored the life journey of Savitri, one of the most iconic stars of South Indian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s.
Known as the “Great Actress” of Telugu cinema, Savitri appeared in more than 250 films and was admired for her natural acting talent and expressive performances. Apart from acting, she also ventured into film production and direction.
The movie highlighted both her professional achievements and personal struggles. Savitri married Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan in 1952, and their relationship remained one of the most discussed chapters in South Indian cinema history.
The couple had two children before eventually separating in 1981. Savitri later faced serious health complications and battled alcohol addiction before passing away at the age of 47.
Mahanati attempted to present her life story with emotional sensitivity, paying tribute to her contribution to Indian cinema.
Ensemble cast received appreciation
Apart from Keerthy Suresh, the film featured several popular actors in important roles.
Dulquer Salmaan portrayed Gemini Ganesan, while Samantha Ruth Prabhu appeared as Madhuravani. Vijay Deverakonda played the role of Vijay Anthony.
The film also starred Naga Chaitanya, Prakash Raj, Bhanupriya and Shalini Pandey in supporting roles.
The performances, production design, costumes and music were widely appreciated for recreating the golden era of South Indian cinema with authenticity and grandeur.
Even years after its release, Mahanati continues to be regarded as one of the finest biopics produced in Indian cinema.
Keerthy Suresh continues busy schedule
Following the success of Mahanati, Keerthy Suresh continued to build a strong filmography across Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema.
The actress was recently seen in Baby John and currently has several upcoming projects lined up.
She will next appear in Rowdy Janardhana and also has films such as Akka, Thottam and Raftaar in different stages of production.
Fans continue to look forward to her upcoming performances, especially after the lasting impact of Mahanati, which remains one of the defining films of her career.
Fans revisit Mahanati on anniversary
As the film completed eight years, fans across social media revisited memorable scenes, songs and emotional moments from the movie.
Many users praised Keerthy Suresh’s performance once again, with several calling it one of the best portrayals by an actress in recent Indian cinema.
The anniversary celebrations highlighted how Mahanati continues to hold a special place among audiences and remains a landmark film in Keerthy Suresh’s journey as an actress.