Lava Kusa (1963) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Lava Kusa (1963) Review
Lava Kusa (1963), a Telugu drama, family, musical movie starring N.T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi, Kanta Rao, is reviewed here. Directed by Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao, Chittajalu Pullayya. This movie deals with the later part of Ramayana written by Valmiki Maharshi and depicts the lives of the sons of Rama & Sita. Our Rating: 4.75/5. Verdict: INDUSTRY HIT. Released: 29 Mar 1963. Runtime: 2h 45m.
Lava Kusa(1963)
Telugu · Drama, Family, Musical
2h 45m · 29 Mar 1963
Music: Ghantasala, K. V. Mahadevan | Writer: Samudrala Raghavacharya
Ratings
Our Rating
4.75
📖 Story
Lava Kusa is a mythological drama based on the epic Ramayana, focusing on the story of Lord Rama's twin sons, Lava and Kusa. The film narrates their birth, upbringing, and eventual reunion with their father, highlighting themes of dharma, family values, and devotion.
N.T. Rama Rao: Powerful portrayal of Lord Rama with commanding screen presence and emotive depth.
Anjali Devi: Impressive debut performance as Lava/Kusa, showing promise and energy.
Kanta Rao: Graceful and convincing as Sita, delivering emotional scenes effectively.
Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao: Strong supporting role with good screen presence.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Epic storytelling faithful to the Ramayana
- ✓Strong performances by lead actors
- ✓Lavish production design and authentic costumes
- ✓Memorable music and songs
- ✓Emotional depth and cultural resonance
Weaknesses
- ✕Lengthy runtime may test modern audience patience
- ✕Some pacing issues in the second half
- ✕Limited technical innovation due to era constraints
🎬 Direction & Writing
Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao, Chittajalu Pullayya's direction is traditional and reverent, capturing the grandeur and spirituality of the epic. The screenplay stays true to the source material, balancing drama and devotional elements effectively.
📰 Ratings Sources
No rating sources available.
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
| Run | Centers |
|---|---|
| 50 Days Centers | 26 |
| 100 Days Centers | 26 |
| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Film Award | Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Telugu | Recognized for its artistic and cultural significance |
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - Ran successfully in multiple centers across Andhra Pradesh
- - Celebrated for long theatrical runs and audience acclaim
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | High appreciation for performances, music, and faithfulness to the epic |
| Neutral | Some noted pacing issues and length |
| Negative | Minimal negative sentiment given its classic status |
Critics
Critics have praised Lava Kusa for its faithful adaptation of the Ramayana and strong performances, especially by N. T. Rama Rao. However, numeric critic ratings from the specified sources are not available for this vintage film, limiting quantitative assessment.
Final Box-Office Result
🏟 Theatrical Centers Run
100 Days - Centers
| # | City | Theater | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vijayanagaram | Venkateswara Talkies | — |
| 2 | Visakapatnam | Ramakrishna Picture Palace | — |
| 3 | Bobbili | Srirama Talkies | — |
| 4 | Anakapalli | Ramakrishna Talkies | — |
| 5 | Kakinada | Lakshmi Talkies | — |
| 6 | Rajahmundry | Venkateswara Talkies | — |
| 7 | Amalapuram | Srinivasa | — |
| 8 | Eluru | Venkateswara Talkies | — |
| 9 | Tanuku | Veeranarayana Talkies | — |
| 10 | Bhimavaram | Maruthi Talkies | — |
| 11 | Thadepalligudem | Relangi Chitra Mandir | — |
| 12 | Vijayawada | Maruthi Cinema | — |
| 13 | Machilipatnam | Durga Mahal | — |
| 14 | Gudiwada | Sharath Talkies | — |
| 15 | Guntur | Krishna Picture Palace | — |
| 16 | Tenali | Satyanarayana Talkies | — |
| 17 | Cheerala | Prasad Picture Palace | — |
| 18 | Nellore | Sriram | — |
| 19 | Hyderabad | Basant | — |
| 20 | Secunderabad | Natraj | — |
| 21 | Warangal | Rajarajeswari Talkies | — |
| 22 | Khammam Mettu | Sunder Talkies | — |
| 23 | Nizamabad | Mohan Talkies | — |
| 24 | Kurnool | Saibaba Talkies | — |
| 25 | Kadapa | Rahath Talkies | — |
| 26 | Bellary | Mubarak Talkies | — |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lava Kusa release in theatres?▾
Lava Kusa released on 29 March 1963 (1963).
Is Lava Kusa a hit or flop?▾
Lava Kusa is declared a INDUSTRY HIT at the box office.
Where to watch Lava Kusa online? OTT release date?▾
Lava Kusa is available on Sun NXT, Vi Movies and TV, MX Player from 13 May 2017.
Who directed Lava Kusa?▾
Lava Kusa directed by Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao, Chittajalu Pullayya. Produced by Allareddy Shankar Reddy.
Who are the main cast members of Lava Kusa?▾
Lava Kusa stars N.T. Rama Rao, Anjali Devi, Kanta Rao.
What is the Tollybo rating for Lava Kusa?▾
Tollybo rates Lava Kusa 4.75/5. Verdict: INDUSTRY HIT.
Who composed the music for Lava Kusa?▾
Music for Lava Kusa composed by Ghantasala, K. V. Mahadevan.
What is the genre and runtime of Lava Kusa?▾
Lava Kusa — Genre: Drama, Family, Musical, Runtime: 165 minutes, Language: Telugu.