Savitri (1933) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 25 Mar 2026
Savitri (1933) Review
Directed by Chittajalu Pullayya, Savitri (1933) is a Telugu n/a film starring Surabhi Kamalabai. Princess Savitri marries Prince Satyavan despite a curse that foretells his death within a year. Our Rating: 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC. Released: 1 Aug 1933. Runtime: 2h 5m.
Savitri(1933)
Telugu · N/A
2h 5m · 1 Aug 1933
Writer: N/A
Ratings
Our Rating
4
📖 Story
Based on the mythological legend of Savitri and Satyavan from the Mahabharata. The story follows Savitri, a devoted wife who uses her wit and devotion to confront Yama, the God of Death, to save her husband Satyavan's life after his untimely demise.
Surabhi Kamalabai: Delivered a poised and emotionally resonant performance as Savitri, becoming one of the earliest icons of Telugu cinema.
Chittajalu Pullayya: His portrayal of Yama is considered legendary; his powerful dialogue delivery and stage-influenced acting style set a benchmark for the character.
Surabhi Kamalabai: Provided a steady performance as Satyavan, complementing the lead actress effectively.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Powerful performance by Vemuri Gaggayya as Yama
- ✓Faithful and engaging mythological storytelling
- ✓Historical significance as an early Telugu talkie
- ✓Popularity of the padyams (poems) and songs
Weaknesses
- ✕Technical limitations inherent to the early 1930s
- ✕Stage-like presentation which may feel dated to modern audiences
🎬 Direction & Writing
Chittajalu Pullayya demonstrated visionary leadership for the time, successfully adapting a popular stage play into a cinematic format while maintaining the emotional core of the myth.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
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Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honorary Mention | Historical Significance | Recognized by film historians as a foundational work of Telugu cinema. |
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - A massive commercial success for its time
- - Ran for several weeks in major centers like Vijayawada and Rajahmundry
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 95% |
| Neutral | 5% |
| Negative | 0% |
Critics
The film was a massive sensation upon release. While modern digital critics do not have contemporary reviews, film historians regard it as a milestone that helped establish the commercial viability of Telugu cinema.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Savitri release in theatres?▾
Savitri released on 1 August 1933 (1933).
Is Savitri a hit or flop?▾
Savitri is declared a CLASSIC at the box office.
What is the budget of Savitri?▾
Budget of Savitri is approximately ₹75000 Crore.
Where to watch Savitri online? OTT release date?▾
Savitri is available on N/A. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Savitri?▾
Savitri directed by Chittajalu Pullayya.
Who are the main cast members of Savitri?▾
Savitri stars Surabhi Kamalabai.
What is the Tollybo rating for Savitri?▾
Tollybo rates Savitri 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC.
What is the genre and runtime of Savitri?▾
Savitri — Genre: N/A, Runtime: 125 minutes, Language: Telugu.