Pathala Bhairavi (1951) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 11 Apr 2026
Pathala Bhairavi (1951) Review
Released on 15 Mar 1951, Pathala Bhairavi (1951) is a Telugu action, adventure, family movie starring N.T. Rama Rao, S. V. Ranga Rao, K. Malathi. Directed by Kadri Venkata Reddy. Thota Ramudu faces opposition when he falls in love with a princess. He then seeks the help of a sorcerer, who secretly plans to sacrifice Thota Ramudu to Goddess Pathala Bhairavi. Our Rating: 4/5. Verdict: INDUSTRY HIT. Runtime: 3h 15m.
Pathala Bhairavi(1951)
Telugu · Action, Adventure, Family
3h 15m · 15 Mar 1951
DOP: Marcus Bartley | Writer: Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao, Kadri Venkata Reddy
Ratings
Our Rating
4
📖 Story
A brave gardener's son, Thota Ramudu, falls in love with Princess Indumathi. To prove his worth and win her hand, he is manipulated by a wicked Nepalese sorcerer who plans to sacrifice him to the goddess Pathala Bhairavi to obtain a magic statuette that grants universal power.
N.T. Rama Rao: A career-defining role that established him as a superstar; his portrayal of the courageous Thota Ramudu was heroic and charismatic.
S. V. Ranga Rao: Iconic performance as the Nepala Mantrikudu; his dialogue delivery and screen presence made the character one of the greatest villains in Indian cinema.
K. Malathi: Provided a graceful and dignified performance as Princess Indumathi.
Kadri Venkata Reddy: Excellent comic timing as the sidekick, providing essential levity to the fantasy drama.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Masterful storytelling and screenplay by Pingali Nagendra Rao
- ✓Groundbreaking visual effects and cinematography for the 1950s
- ✓Legendary performances by NTR and SVR
- ✓Timeless music score by Ghantasala
- ✓High production values by Vijaya Vauhini Studios
Weaknesses
- ✕Lengthy runtime by modern standards
- ✕Technical limitations inherent to the early 1950s era
🎬 Direction & Writing
Kadri Venkata Reddy's direction is considered a benchmark in Indian fantasy cinema. His ability to blend folklore with human emotions and high-stakes drama created a template for the genre.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 8.5 | |
| 3.7 | |
| 0 | |
| 92 | |
| 67 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International Film Festival of India | Official Selection | The only South Indian film selected for the first IFFI held in 1952. |
| CNN-IBN Poll (2013) | 100 Greatest Indian Films of All Time | Ranked among the top Indian films during the centenary of Indian cinema. |
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - First Telugu film to run for 100 days in 28 centers
- - First South Indian film to be screened at the International Film Festival of India (1952)
- - Huge commercial success across Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi languages
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 98% |
| Neutral | 2% |
| Negative | 0% |
Critics
Widely regarded by historians and retrospective critics as a masterpiece. It is frequently cited as one of the greatest films ever made in Telugu cinema, praised for its technical sophistication and cultural impact.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pathala Bhairavi release in theatres?▾
Pathala Bhairavi released on 15 March 1951 (1951).
Is Pathala Bhairavi a hit or flop?▾
Pathala Bhairavi is declared a INDUSTRY HIT at the box office.
What is the budget of Pathala Bhairavi?▾
Budget of Pathala Bhairavi is approximately ₹12.5 Crore.
Where to watch Pathala Bhairavi online? OTT release date?▾
Pathala Bhairavi is available on ETV Win. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Pathala Bhairavi?▾
Pathala Bhairavi directed by Kadri Venkata Reddy. Produced by B. Nagi Reddy, Chakrapani.
Who are the main cast members of Pathala Bhairavi?▾
Pathala Bhairavi stars N.T. Rama Rao, S. V. Ranga Rao, K. Malathi.
What is the Tollybo rating for Pathala Bhairavi?▾
Tollybo rates Pathala Bhairavi 4/5. Verdict: INDUSTRY HIT.
What is the genre and runtime of Pathala Bhairavi?▾
Pathala Bhairavi — Genre: Action, Adventure, Family, Runtime: 195 minutes, Language: Telugu.