
Introduction
In 2025, Mahanati which is a Kannada TV reality show that aims to find and mentor up-and-coming actresses, will run around the world. Run by Zee Kannada the show gives a stage to young women to put forth their talent in acting, performance and personal growth. Also in it’s second go round Mahanati is expanding its reach which includes intense competition as well as greater exposure into the film and TV industry.
Format and content of Season 2.

- At 30 PM on Zee Kannada.
- Key features include: Here are the key features:.
- Contestants: In the age group of 18 to 25.
- Duration: The competition is for 18 weeks.
- Living arrangement: Contestants live in a specially designed villa that fosters interaction, teamwork, and personal growth.
- Mentorship and Challenges: They participate in performance based workshops which also feature the seasoned professionals and masters.
Judges, Hosts, and Guest Appearances
The show has a panel of judges and mentors, which brings in a variety of experiences.
- Judges: Nishvika Naidu, Prema, and Tharun Sudhir are the judges for the second season of Mahanati.
- Masterclasses: Legendary actor/director Ramesh Aravind runs masterclasses for which contestants’ skills are the focus.
- Host: The show is hosted by Anushree which also includes the element of continuity and she guides each episode.
- Guest Appearances: During some episodes what we see is that established actors like Umashree step in to interact with contestants or take part in themed rounds which include the Family Round.
Winner and Impact

In the last season (Season 1), Priya Achar came out on top. She was presented with a gold crown that went for ₹15 lakhs. The second-place winner, Dhanyashree, was given a cash prize.
After winning the competition, Priya took on her first breakout role in a film. In the movie which was directed by Punit Rangaswamy and produced by Tharun Kishore she played the female lead. This is proof that Mahanati’s success wasn’t just a fluke and in fact was a platform that launched real film careers.
Voices from the Contestants
In Season 2 we have Divyanjali as a contestant who has a very personal connection with our audience. She shared out of which came stories from her youth, which were very hard at times, including living in tough conditions, but Divyanjali is not deterred in her goal to find her stage. Her emotional story has been a main focus of the show.
In Mahanati, we see the same personal stories time and again, which in turn humanize the contestants; we see not only their talent but also their perseverance. That talent, struggle and opportunity mix to create tension and emotion in the show.
Challenges and Critique
- While Mahanati has had success in terms of viewers and also in putting new talent in the spotlight it also faces what is typical for reality shows:.
- Balancing entertainment vs. authenticity: Dramatic or emotional elements can take precedence over talent and hard work.
- Managing viewer expectations: As contestants grow in popularity, we see that expectation rises for them to star in films or to get major roles which in turn puts pressure on both producers and winners.
- Ensuring that the process of judgment, training, and selection is fair and transparent which is of great import given the impact on the contestants’ careers.
Conclusion

In 2025 Mahanati Season 2 will be a hit in the Kannada entertainment industry. It is not a typical competition but a structured path we put forward for young women who are either amateurs or stage actors to become screen actresses. With great mentorship, we have also brought in renowned judges and greater media coverage, which we think will transform many as they go through the program.
Priyanka Achar’s victory and the start of her film career, which followed that of the season, proves that Mahanati* has a reach beyond what we see in terms of TV ratings; it plays a role in making careers. As the season plays out, you will see the impact on the contestants, the audience and the Kannada film industry.