'' Mahanati '' ( The great actress ) is a 2018 Indian biographical film written and directed by Nag Ashwin . It was produced by C. Ashwini Dutt , Swapna Dutt and Priyanka Dutt under the banners Vyjayanthi Movies and Swapna Cinema and made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil , with the latter titled '' Nadigaiyar Thilagam '' ( Champion of actresses ) . The film stars Keerthy Suresh , Dulquer Salmaan , Samantha Akkineni and Vijay Devarakonda . It follows the life of Indian actress Savitri ( Keerthy ) , depicting her turbulent rise to prominence , marriage with Gemini Ganesan ( Salmaan ) , and subsequent fall from grace , viewed from the perspective of a journalist ( Samantha Akkineni ) and a photographer ( Vijay Deverakonda ) Production began in May 2017 , cinematography fell under the vision of Dani Sanchez-Lopez , and music for the film is composed by Mickey J. Meyer . '' Mahanati '' was released on 9 May 2018 , and '' Nadigaiyar Thilagam '' on 11 May 2018 . The film was also dubbed in Malayalam . It opened to critical and commercial acclaim ; it was showcased in the Indian Panorama Mainstream section at the 49th International Film Festival of India , and has also garnered the " Equality in Cinema Award " at the 2018 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
49th International Film Festival of India
49th International Film Festival of India
Mahanati