Bhookailas (1940) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 25 Mar 2026
Bhookailas (1940) Review
Directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni, Bhookailas (1940) is a Telugu drama, musical film starring Subbaiah Naidu, R. Nagendra Rao, Rayaprolu Subramanyam. Ravana, the king of Lanka attains " Athma Linga " from Shiva and later he gets tricked by various people on his way back to home. Telugu adaptation of famed Kannada stage play Bhookailasa by Sri Sahitya Samrajya Nataka Mandali of Mysore. Our Rating: 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC. Released: 15 Dec 1940. Runtime: 3h 5m.
Bhookailas(1940)
Telugu · Drama, Musical
3h 5m · 15 Dec 1940
Writer: Balijepalli Lakshmikantha Kavi
Ratings
Our Rating
4
📖 Story
A mythological epic based on the story of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. Driven by his mother's desire, Ravana performs intense penance to obtain the Atma Linga from Lord Shiva. The story follows his journey, the intervention of Lord Vishnu and Narada, and the eventual establishment of the sacred Gokarna temple.
Subbaiah Naidu: Delivered a legendary performance as Ravana, characterized by powerful dialogue delivery and a commanding screen presence that defined the role for decades.
R. Nagendra Rao: Gave a dual performance as Kaikesi and Mandodari, showcasing emotional depth and poise.
Rayaprolu Subramanyam: Notable for her graceful portrayal of Maya.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Vemuri Gaggayya's iconic acting
- ✓Classical musical score by R. Sudarsanam
- ✓Faithful adaptation of the stage play
- ✓Historical significance in early Telugu cinema
Weaknesses
- ✕Technical limitations of the 1940s era
- ✕Slow pacing compared to modern standards
- ✕Primitive visual effects
🎬 Direction & Writing
Sundar Rao Nadkarni successfully transitioned the popular stage play to the silver screen, focusing on dramatic intensity and character-driven storytelling that resonated with the audience of the time.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
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Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - A major commercial success for Saraswathi Cinetone
- - Ran for several weeks in major centers across the Madras Presidency
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 95% |
| Neutral | 5% |
| Negative | 0% |
Critics
Historically acclaimed as a masterpiece of early Telugu mythological cinema. Critics often highlight the film as the definitive version of the Ravana story, primarily due to the theatrical brilliance of the lead cast.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Bhookailas release in theatres?▾
Bhookailas released on 15 December 1940 (1940).
Is Bhookailas a hit or flop?▾
Bhookailas is declared a CLASSIC at the box office.
Where to watch Bhookailas online? OTT release date?▾
Bhookailas is available on N/A. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Bhookailas?▾
Bhookailas directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. Produced by A. V. Meiyappan.
Who are the main cast members of Bhookailas?▾
Bhookailas stars Subbaiah Naidu, R. Nagendra Rao, Rayaprolu Subramanyam.
What is the Tollybo rating for Bhookailas?▾
Tollybo rates Bhookailas 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC.
What is the genre and runtime of Bhookailas?▾
Bhookailas — Genre: Drama, Musical, Runtime: 185 minutes, Language: Telugu.