Geethanjali (1989) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Geethanjali (1989) Review
Geethanjali (1989) — a Telugu drama, romance film directed by Mani Ratnam. Starring Nagarjuna Akkineni, Girija Shettar, Vijayakumar. Prakash, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and Geethanjali, an equally ill patient, fall in love with each other. However, when she learns about his illness, she decides to move out of his life. Our Rating: 3.5/5. Verdict: HIT. Released: 19 May 1989. Runtime: 2h 17m.
Geethanjali(1989)
Telugu · Drama, Romance
2h 17m · 19 May 1989
Music: Ilaiyaraaja | DOP: P. C. Sreeram | Writer: Rajasri, Mani Ratnam
Ratings
Our Rating
3.5
📖 Story
Geethanjali is a romantic drama about a carefree young man who falls in love with a vivacious woman suffering from a terminal illness. Their journey explores themes of love, life, and mortality as they cherish the moments they have together.
Nagarjuna Akkineni: Natural and heartfelt portrayal of a loving and optimistic young man.
Girija Shettar: Expressive and poignant performance as a spirited woman confronting her fate.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Strong emotional narrative
- ✓Memorable music score by Ilaiyaraaja
- ✓Beautiful cinematography capturing scenic locales
- ✓Convincing performances by lead actors
Weaknesses
- ✕Pacing slows down in the second half
- ✕Some melodramatic moments
🎬 Direction & Writing
Mani Ratnam's direction blends sensitive storytelling with artistic visuals, crafting an emotional and engaging romantic tragedy.
📰 Critic Reviews
First half of the film is entertaining and the interval point makes us to look forward for the second half with a great interest. The revelation in second half takes the horror factor out of the proceedings. But there is a twist in the tale. The second half should have been handled well. The entertainment in the first…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3 |
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 | High |
| Neutral | Medium |
| Negative | Low |
Critics
Critics praised Geethanjali for its heartfelt narrative, strong performances, and technical finesse. The film is considered a classic romantic tragedy in Telugu cinema with enduring appeal.
Final Box-Office Result
🏟 Theatrical Centers Run
100 Days - Centers
| # | City | Theater | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyderabad | Devi | — |
| 2 | Tirupati | Mini Pratap | — |
| 3 | Kurnool | Nataraj | — |
| 4 | Kakinada | Devi | — |
| 5 | Visakhapatnam | Chitralaya | — |
| 6 | Guntur | Manga | — |
| 7 | Vijayawada | Jayaram | — |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Geethanjali release in theatres?▾
Geethanjali released on 19 May 1989 (1989).
Is Geethanjali a hit or flop?▾
Geethanjali is declared a HIT at the box office.
Where to watch Geethanjali online? OTT release date?▾
Geethanjali is available on Jio Cinema, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Geethanjali?▾
Geethanjali directed by Mani Ratnam.
Who are the main cast members of Geethanjali?▾
Geethanjali stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Girija Shettar, Vijayakumar.
What is the Tollybo rating for Geethanjali?▾
Tollybo rates Geethanjali 3.5/5. Verdict: HIT.
Who composed the music for Geethanjali?▾
Music for Geethanjali composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
What is the genre and runtime of Geethanjali?▾
Geethanjali — Genre: Drama, Romance, Runtime: 137 minutes, Language: Telugu.