Laila Majnu (1949) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 11 Apr 2026
Laila Majnu (1949) Review
Released on 1 Oct 1949, Laila Majnu (1949) is a Telugu drama, history, musical movie starring Nageshwara Rao Akkineni, Bhanumathi, C S R Anjaneyulu. Directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. Khayas falls in love with Laila but her father refuses the alliance, which leaves Khayas heartbroken. Things take a turn when Laila then moves to Mecca. Our Rating: 3.25/5. Verdict: SUPER HIT. Runtime: 2h 51m.
Laila Majnu(1949)
Telugu · Drama, History, Musical
2h 51m · 1 Oct 1949
Writer: Samudrala Raghavacharya
Ratings
Our Rating
3.25
📖 Story
A cinematic adaptation of the legendary Persian tragic romance, the film follows the star-crossed lovers Qays and Laila. Despite their deep bond, family feuds and societal barriers separate them, leading Qays to wander the desert in madness as 'Majnun' until their tragic end.
Nageshwara Rao Akkineni: Delivered a career-defining performance as Majnun, establishing himself as a premier romantic lead in Telugu cinema with intense emotional depth.
Bhanumathi: Portrayed Laila with grace and poise, while also serving as the music director and playback singer, showcasing her multi-faceted talent.
C S R Anjaneyulu: Provided a strong supporting performance that added weight to the film's dramatic tension.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Iconic musical score by P. Bhanumathi and C.R. Subburaman
- ✓Powerful lead performances by ANR and Bhanumathi
- ✓Poetic dialogue and emotional narrative
- ✓High production values for the late 1940s
Weaknesses
- ✕Slow pacing typical of the era's theatrical style
- ✕The tragic conclusion may be overly melancholic for some audiences
🎬 Direction & Writing
P. S. Ramakrishna Rao's direction is noted for its sensitivity and focus on the lyrical quality of the tragic romance, successfully translating the Persian epic into a format that resonated with Telugu audiences.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 7.8 | |
| 0 | |
| 0 | |
| 8.2 | |
| 0 |
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 and ran for over 100 days in multiple centers.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 95% |
| Neutral | 5% |
| Negative | 0% |
Critics
Historically acclaimed as a masterpiece of early Telugu cinema. While modern numeric ratings from the specified sources are unavailable due to the film's 1949 release date, it is universally cited by film historians and archives as a landmark achievement in musical storytelling.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Laila Majnu release in theatres?▾
Laila Majnu released on 1 October 1949 (1949).
Is Laila Majnu a hit or flop?▾
Laila Majnu is declared a SUPER HIT at the box office.
Where to watch Laila Majnu online? OTT release date?▾
Laila Majnu is available on Eros Now. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Laila Majnu?▾
Laila Majnu directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. Produced by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao.
Who are the main cast members of Laila Majnu?▾
Laila Majnu stars Nageshwara Rao Akkineni, Bhanumathi, C S R Anjaneyulu.
What is the Tollybo rating for Laila Majnu?▾
Tollybo rates Laila Majnu 3.25/5. Verdict: SUPER HIT.
What is the genre and runtime of Laila Majnu?▾
Laila Majnu — Genre: Drama, History, Musical, Runtime: 171 minutes, Language: Telugu.