Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1979) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1979) Review
Akbar Saleem Anarkali (1979) (Telugu drama, history, musical) — directed by N.T. Rama Rao. Featuring N.T. Rama Rao, Jamuna, Nandamuri Balakrishna. The story of Anarkali and Saleem retold. Our Rating: 3/5. Verdict: HIT. Produced by Ramakrishna Cine Studios, Released: 9 May 1979. Runtime: 2h 19m.
Akbar Saleem Anarkali(1979)
Telugu · Drama, History, Musical
2h 19m · 9 May 1979
Music: C. Ramchandra | Writer: N.T. Rama Rao
Ratings
Our Rating
3
📖 Story
The film is a historical romance set in the Mughal era, revolving around the love story of Prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) and Anarkali, a court dancer. Their forbidden love faces opposition from Emperor Akbar, leading to dramatic conflicts and emotional turmoil.
Nandamuri Balakrishna: Portrayed Prince Salim with youthful charm and intensity.
Jamuna: Played a supporting role with commendable screen presence.
Nandamuri Balakrishna: Delivered a graceful and emotive performance as Anarkali.
N.T. Rama Rao: Provided strong support in her role with good expressions.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Grand production design and costumes
- ✓Strong musical score
- ✓Powerful performances by lead actors
- ✓Engaging historical narrative
Weaknesses
- ✕Pacing issues in the second half
- ✕Some melodramatic sequences
- ✕Limited character development for supporting roles
🎬 Direction & Writing
N.T. Rama Rao's direction is ambitious, capturing the grandeur of the Mughal era with effective storytelling. The screenplay balances romance and drama well, though some scenes tend to drag.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 7.3 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
| 60 | |
| 7.6 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
Critics
No numeric critic ratings found from the specified sources. General critical reception praised the film's scale and performances but noted flaws in pacing.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Akbar Saleem Anarkali release in theatres?▾
Akbar Saleem Anarkali released on 9 May 1979 (1979).
Is Akbar Saleem Anarkali a hit or flop?▾
Akbar Saleem Anarkali is declared a HIT at the box office.
Where to watch Akbar Saleem Anarkali online? OTT release date?▾
Akbar Saleem Anarkali is available on Sun NXT, Vi Movies and TV, MX Player from 16 July 2021.
Who directed Akbar Saleem Anarkali?▾
Akbar Saleem Anarkali directed by N.T. Rama Rao. Produced by N.T. Rama Rao.
Who are the main cast members of Akbar Saleem Anarkali?▾
Akbar Saleem Anarkali stars N.T. Rama Rao, Jamuna, Nandamuri Balakrishna.
What is the Tollybo rating for Akbar Saleem Anarkali?▾
Tollybo rates Akbar Saleem Anarkali 3/5. Verdict: HIT.
Who composed the music for Akbar Saleem Anarkali?▾
Music for Akbar Saleem Anarkali composed by C. Ramchandra.
What is the genre and runtime of Akbar Saleem Anarkali?▾
Akbar Saleem Anarkali — Genre: Drama, History, Musical, Runtime: 139 minutes, Language: Telugu.