Keerthy Suresh starrer Mahanati received positive buzz on the day one of its release. The movie was well depicted with the history of Savitri. Since the story was set with the backdrop of 1950s and 1960s, obviously then top actors and technicians were shown in the movie.
However repots say late NTR's fans were disappointed with Mahanati for three reasons.
ANR's role was essayed by Naga Chaitanya and he is seen in five or six scenes in the film. The makers initially approached Young Tiger NTR for late NTR's role. But the hero turned down the offer. As such, a junior artist sported a one minute role of late NTR. Of course, the makers are saying that they used VFX for NTR's role. Nevertheless, audience felt that the character was played by a junior artist.
In another scene one of the characters says, "Ippudu NTR, ANR cinemalu evaru choostharandee? Kotha kurradu vachchadu. Peru Krishna."(It was during late 60s). Audience blew whistles then. But then, NTR and ANR's fans were hurt with the scene.
"Some makers wait for the call sheets of NTR and some more makers wait for ANR's. But everyone waits for Savitri's call sheets", a character says to another character betokening then situation.