Last updated: 10 Apr 2026
Telugu · Drama
2h 1m · 17 Dec 1939
DOP: Jiten Bannerjee | Writer: Y. V. Rao, Balijepalli Lakshmikantha Kavi
Ratings
Our Rating
4
A progressive social drama that advocates for widow remarriage. The story revolves around a young widow and the societal challenges she faces, eventually finding support from a reformist who believes in her right to a second life and happiness.
Kanchanamala: Delivered a poignant and emotionally charged performance as the young widow, solidifying her status as one of the earliest superstars of Telugu cinema.
Y. V. Rao: Balanced his roles as both the lead actor and director effectively, portraying the reformist character with conviction.
Balijepalli Lakshmikantha Kavi: Provided a strong supporting performance that added depth to the social conflict presented in the film.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Y. V. Rao showed great courage in picking a controversial subject like widow remarriage in the 1930s. His direction focused on realism and social reform, making the film a landmark in Telugu social cinema.
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Our Rating
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| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Historical Recognition | Social Reform Cinema | Recognized by film historians as a pioneer in the social drama genre of Telugu cinema. |
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 95% |
| Neutral | 5% |
| Negative | 0% |
Historically, the film was hailed as a revolutionary step in South Indian cinema. While modern numeric reviews from the requested sources do not exist for this 1939 release, film historians regard it as a masterpiece of the social reform genre.
Final Box-Office Result
Malli Pelli released on 17 December 1939 (1939).
Malli Pelli is declared a CLASSIC at the box office.
Malli Pelli is available on Vi Movies and TV, Eros Now, Hungama Play. OTT date will be updated soon.
Malli Pelli directed by Y. V. Rao.
Malli Pelli stars Kanchanamala, Y. V. Rao, Balijepalli Lakshmikantha Kavi.
Tollybo rates Malli Pelli 4/5. Verdict: CLASSIC.
Malli Pelli — Genre: Drama, Runtime: 121 minutes, Language: Telugu.
