Keelu Gurram (1949) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 11 Apr 2026
Keelu Gurram (1949) Review
Keelu Gurram (1949) (Telugu drama, fantasy) — directed by Raja Saheb of Mirzapuram. Starring Nageshwara Rao Akkineni, Anjali Devi, Relangi Venkata Ramaiah. A young man after knowing his past through his queen mother who has been abandoned from the kingdom by the king for some false complaints against her, tries to make the things get better in the kingdom with the help of a magical horse. Our Rating: 3.75/5. Verdict: INDUSTRY HIT. Released: 19 Feb 1949. Runtime: 2h 52m.
Keelu Gurram(1949)
Telugu · Drama, Fantasy
2h 52m · 19 Feb 1949
Writer: Tapi Dharma Rao Naidu
Ratings
Our Rating
3.75
📖 Story
The story follows Prince Vikrama, whose life is endangered when his father, the King, marries a woman who is actually a demoness in disguise. With the help of a magical mechanical horse (Keelu Gurram), Vikrama embarks on a journey to expose the demoness and reclaim his kingdom.
Nageshwara Rao Akkineni: Delivered a charismatic performance as the folklore hero, establishing his image in the fantasy genre.
Anjali Devi: Exceptional in a dual-shaded role, particularly as the manipulative and menacing demoness Mohini.
Relangi Venkata Ramaiah: Provided effective comic relief which was a staple in early Telugu cinema.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Iconic music score by Ghantasala
- ✓Engaging folklore narrative
- ✓Anjali Devi's powerful performance
- ✓Pioneering visual effects for the late 1940s
Weaknesses
- ✕Lengthy runtime by modern standards
- ✕Technical limitations of the era in sound and lighting
🎬 Direction & Writing
Raja of Mirzapuram demonstrated a strong grasp of the folklore genre, successfully blending fantasy elements with emotional drama and musical sequences.
📰 Ratings Sources
No rating sources available.
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - The film was a massive commercial success
- - Celebrated 100-day runs in several major centers
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 95% |
| Neutral | 5% |
| Negative | 0% |
Critics
Historically acclaimed as a trendsetter in the folklore (Janapada) genre of Telugu cinema. While modern numeric ratings from the specified sources are unavailable for this 1949 release, it is universally cited by film historians and archives as a classic.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Keelu Gurram release in theatres?▾
Keelu Gurram released on 19 February 1949 (1949).
Is Keelu Gurram a hit or flop?▾
Keelu Gurram is declared a INDUSTRY HIT at the box office.
Where to watch Keelu Gurram online? OTT release date?▾
Keelu Gurram is available on Vi Movies and TV, YuppTV. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Keelu Gurram?▾
Keelu Gurram directed by Raja Saheb of Mirzapuram.
Who are the main cast members of Keelu Gurram?▾
Keelu Gurram stars Nageshwara Rao Akkineni, Anjali Devi, Relangi Venkata Ramaiah.
What is the Tollybo rating for Keelu Gurram?▾
Tollybo rates Keelu Gurram 3.75/5. Verdict: INDUSTRY HIT.
What is the genre and runtime of Keelu Gurram?▾
Keelu Gurram — Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Runtime: 172 minutes, Language: Telugu.