The renewed buzz around biopics, following the release of Michael, the film based on Michael Jackson, has once again brought Nag Ashwin into focus.
With Mahanati, he set a benchmark that still feels unmatched.
Few filmmakers have attempted to follow that template, and recreating the same emotional depth has proven difficult. It’s not just about narrating a life story, but about making the audience feel every moment.
Films like NTR: Kathanayakudu and NTR: Mahanayakudu tried to capture the journeys of iconic figures, yet they didn’t resonate in the same way.
The problem lies in the storytelling. Presenting events one after another, almost like a checklist, strips away the emotional core. A biopic should not feel like a timeline — it should feel like a lived experience that draws the viewer in.
A celebrity’s life on screen truly works only when both the highs and lows are portrayed with honesty and depth. The struggles, conflicts, and triumphs must be felt, not just shown.
In Mahanati, every rise and fall connected deeply with the audience, making the film unforgettable. That emotional connection is what many biopics lack today.
Until filmmakers focus on evoking genuine emotion rather than simply recounting facts, the magic that Nag Ashwin created will remain rare.
Michael, in comparison, fails to evoke that level of emotional impact.
