Last updated: 26 Mar 2026
Telugu · Drama, Fantasy
2h 52m · 28 Dec 1949
Writer: Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao (screen adaptation), Pingali Nagendra Rao (dialogue), Kadiri Venkata Reddy (screen adaptation)
Ratings
Our Rating
3
Loosely based on William Shakespeare's King Lear with a folkloric twist, the story revolves around King Ugrasena and his three daughters. When the youngest daughter, Gunasundari, claims she loves her father as much as salt, she is banished. The narrative follows her struggles, her marriage to a cursed prince, and her eventual redemption and reunion with her father.
Sriranjani: Delivered a soulful and dignified performance as Gunasundari, capturing the innocence and resilience of the character.
Kasturi Sivarao: Notable for his dual-shaded role as the prince who is transformed into a bear, balancing the tragedy and the fantasy elements.
Govindarajula Subba Rao: His comedic timing was a major highlight, establishing him as a premier comedian in the industry.
Govindarajula Subba Rao: Portrayed the role of King Ugrasena with the necessary gravitas and emotional conflict.
Strengths
Weaknesses
K.V. Reddy's direction is considered legendary; he successfully adapted a Western tragedy into a relatable Indian folk tale, focusing on human values and emotions while maintaining high production standards.
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Our Rating
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| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Recognition | Classic Cinema | Regarded as one of the best films in the history of Telugu cinema by various film societies. |
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 95% |
| Neutral | 5% |
| Negative | 0% |
Historically acclaimed as a masterpiece of the Golden Age of Telugu cinema. While modern numeric ratings from the specified sources are not available for this 1949 release, it is universally cited by film historians and archives as a landmark film.
Final Box-Office Result
Gunasundari Katha released on 28 December 1949 (1949).
Gunasundari Katha is declared a INDUSTRY HIT at the box office.
Gunasundari Katha is available on YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Gunasundari Katha directed by Kadri Venkata Reddy. Produced by Kadri Venkata Reddy.
Gunasundari Katha stars Sriranjani, Kasturi Sivarao, Govindarajula Subba Rao.
Tollybo rates Gunasundari Katha 3/5. Verdict: INDUSTRY HIT.
Gunasundari Katha — Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Runtime: 172 minutes, Language: Telugu.
