Harischandra (1935) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 25 Mar 2026
Harischandra (1935) Review
Harischandra (1935), a Telugu movie starring Addanki Srirama Murthy, P. Kannamba, Bheema Rao, is reviewed here. Directed by T. A. Raman. This 1935 Telugu film tells the story of King Harischandra. Our Rating: 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC. Released: 9 Nov 1935. Runtime: 1h 53m.
Harischandra(1935)
Telugu
1h 53m · 9 Nov 1935
Writer: Balijepalli Lakshmikantha Kavi
Ratings
Our Rating
4
📖 Story
The film depicts the legendary life of King Harishchandra of Ayodhya, who is renowned for his unwavering commitment to truth. To fulfill a promise made to Sage Vishwamitra, the King sacrifices his kingdom, sells his wife and son into slavery, and eventually works as a graveyard caretaker, facing the ultimate test of his virtues.
Addanki Srirama Murthy: Portrayed the titular role with a stoic and dignified presence, capturing the suffering of the truth-bound king.
P. Kannamba: In her debut film, she delivered a powerful and emotional performance as Chandramathi, marking the beginning of her legendary career.
Bheema Rao: Brought theatrical flair to the film, particularly noted for his musical contributions and stage-refined acting style.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Faithful adaptation of the popular mythological play
- ✓Strong debut performance by P. Kannamba
- ✓Significant historical importance as one of the early Telugu talkies
- ✓Memorable musical score for the era
Weaknesses
- ✕Primitive technical standards typical of the mid-1930s
- ✕Static and stage-like cinematography
- ✕Slow pacing compared to modern standards
🎬 Direction & Writing
T. A. Raman's direction was heavily influenced by the 'Padyanitakam' (musical play) format, focusing on capturing the theatrical essence of the story rather than cinematic innovation.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 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 commercial success during its time, drawing large audiences due to the novelty of sound and the popularity of the Harishchandra legend.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 90% |
| Neutral | 10% |
| Negative | 0% |
Critics
Historical accounts and retrospective reviews highlight the film as a landmark in Telugu cinema, primarily for introducing Kannamba and for its successful transition from stage to screen during the early talkie period.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Harischandra release in theatres?▾
Harischandra released on 9 November 1935 (1935).
Is Harischandra a hit or flop?▾
Harischandra is declared a CLASSIC at the box office.
Where to watch Harischandra online? OTT release date?▾
Harischandra is available on N/A. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Harischandra?▾
Harischandra directed by T. A. Raman.
Who are the main cast members of Harischandra?▾
Harischandra stars Addanki Srirama Murthy, P. Kannamba, Bheema Rao.
What is the Tollybo rating for Harischandra?▾
Tollybo rates Harischandra 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC.
What is the genre and runtime of Harischandra?▾
Harischandra — Runtime: 113 minutes, Language: Telugu.