Mahiravana (1940) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 25 Mar 2026
Mahiravana (1940) Review
Mahiravana (1940) — a Telugu musical, drama movie directed by Chitrapu Narayana Rao. The cast includes Kanchanamala, Vemuri Gaggaiah. Our Rating: 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC. Released: 27 Jan 1940.
Mahiravana(1940)
Telugu · Musical, Drama
0 · 27 Jan 1940
Music: Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao | DOP: Govindrao Bhadsavle | Writer: N/A
Ratings
Our Rating
4
📖 Story
Based on the mythological tale from the Ramayana, Mahiravana, the king of Patala Loka and brother of Ravana, kidnaps Rama and Lakshmana to sacrifice them to Goddess Kali. The story follows Hanuman's journey into the netherworld to rescue them and defeat the powerful sorcerer Mahiravana.
Kanchanamala: Delivered a powerful and menacing performance as the antagonist Mahiravana, known for his commanding screen presence and theatrical dialogue delivery.
Kanchanamala: Portrayed the role of Chandrasena with grace and emotional depth, contributing significantly to the film's dramatic appeal.
Chitrapu Narayana Rao: Played the role of Hanuman with great devotion and physical vigor, which was highly appreciated by the audience of that era.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Groundbreaking special effects and trick photography for the 1940s
- ✓Strong theatrical performances by the lead cast
- ✓Faithful adaptation of the mythological source material
- ✓Memorable musical score and classical songs
Weaknesses
- ✕Slow pacing in the narrative
- ✕Technical limitations inherent to the early era of sound cinema
- ✕Lengthy runtime by modern standards
🎬 Direction & Writing
Chitrapu Narayana Rao demonstrated visionary direction by integrating complex mythological themes with available technology, making it one of the most sophisticated Telugu films of the pre-independence era.
- - Innovative use of trick photography to depict supernatural elements
- - Elaborate set designs representing Patala Loka
- - Classical music compositions that became popular among the masses
📰 Ratings Sources
No rating sources available.
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Recognition | Landmark Film | Recognized as a pioneering work in the mythological genre of Indian Cinema. |
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - The film was a major commercial success during its original release in 1940, running for several weeks in major centers.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 95% |
| Neutral | 5% |
| Negative | 0% |
Critics
Historically, the film was hailed as a masterpiece of Telugu mythological cinema. Critics of the time praised the 'trick' scenes and the high-caliber performances, particularly that of Vemuri Gaggayya. It is often cited in film history as a landmark for its technical ambition.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mahiravana release in theatres?▾
Mahiravana released on 27 January 1940 (1940).
Is Mahiravana a hit or flop?▾
Mahiravana is declared a CLASSIC at the box office.
Where to watch Mahiravana online? OTT release date?▾
Mahiravana OTT release date not announced yet.
Who directed Mahiravana?▾
Mahiravana directed by Chitrapu Narayana Rao. Produced by Ghantasala Balaramayya.
Who are the main cast members of Mahiravana?▾
Mahiravana stars Kanchanamala, Vemuri Gaggaiah.
What is the Tollybo rating for Mahiravana?▾
Tollybo rates Mahiravana 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC.
Who composed the music for Mahiravana?▾
Music for Mahiravana composed by Gali Penchala Narasimha Rao.
What is the genre and runtime of Mahiravana?▾
Mahiravana — Genre: Musical, Drama, Language: Telugu.