The story of India is the story of caste

The first episode of SonyLIV's Mayasabha wastes no time in establishing its central theme and characters. The episode opens with a powerful declaration, signaling the show's intent to dive deep into a complex and often uncomfortable topic of caste politics.

We are introduced to the two protagonists in their younger, pre-political lives: Kakarla Krishnama Naidu (Aadhi Pinisetty), a determined student from a farming background, and M. S. Rami Reddy (Chaitanya Rao Madadi), a medical student from a powerful family seeking to distance himself from his father's reputation. The episode expertly sets up their individual motivations and struggles, showing Krishnama's ambition to rise beyond his rural roots and Rami's desire for personal dignity.

While the series' larger narrative begins in the mid-1990s, this first episode skillfully uses flashbacks to the 1970s and 80s to build the foundation of their characters, through their parallel trajectories and the stark caste dynamics that shape their worlds.

This deliberate pacing allows for a nuanced introduction to a complex world, making their eventual convergence and ideological clashes feel earned and impactful. The performances from both Pinisetty and Rao are restrained and effective, hinting at the depth and ambition that will define their characters' political journeys.

A major drawback, however, is the quality of the Hindi dubbing. The voice acting for this version feels flat and lacks the emotional depth and intensity of the original Telugu performances. This significantly detracts from the viewing experience and makes it difficult to connect with the characters' struggles. The original Telugu version, watched with subtitles, is my preferred way to experience the show.

Initial Score: 7/10 (Optimistic for future episodes) Revised Score: 6/10 (Due to the disappointing Hindi voice acting)