Siva 1989 (1989) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 1 May 2026
Siva 1989 (1989) Review
Siva 1989 (1989) is a Telugu action, crime, drama film directed by Ram Gopal Varma, starring Nagarjuna Akkineni, Amala Akkineni, Raghuvaran. Siva is a new student in the community college. He is welcomed by a group of collegians, including the lovely Asha, to whom Shiva is instantly attracted. Shiva notices that there is violence within the college, perpetrated by people who are not even students. When he decides to find out their motive... Our Rating: 3.75/5. Verdict: CLASSIC. Released: 5 Oct 1989. Runtime: 2h 25m.
Siva 1989(1989)
Telugu · Action, Crime, Drama
2h 25m · 5 Oct 1989
Music: Ilaiyaraaja | DOP: S. Gopala Reddy | Writer: Ram Gopal Varma, Tanikella Bharani, Iqbal Durrani
Ratings
Our Rating
3.75
📖 Story
Siva follows the story of a young man who arrives in the city for higher education and gets entangled in the violent world of college politics and local mafia. He takes a stand against corruption and crime, leading to a clash with powerful antagonists.
Nagarjuna Akkineni: Powerful and intense debut performance that established him as a leading actor.
Amala Akkineni: Strong and convincing portrayal of the female lead.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Innovative direction and storytelling
- ✓Realistic portrayal of college politics and crime
- ✓Strong performances by lead actors
- ✓Memorable background score and soundtrack
- ✓Crisp screenplay and editing
Weaknesses
- ✕Some scenes may feel dated to modern audiences
- ✕Limited female character development
🎬 Direction & Writing
Ram Gopal Varma's direction was groundbreaking for Telugu cinema at the time, introducing a gritty and realistic style. The writing was tight, with a focus on raw and intense narrative.
📰 Critic Reviews
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 8 | |
| 3.6 | |
| 0 | |
| 64 | |
| 73 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
| Run | Centers |
|---|---|
| 100 Days Centers | 22 |
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | High appreciation for direction and performances |
| Neutral | Mixed views on pacing and dated elements |
| Negative | Criticism on female character depth |
Critics
Critics praised Siva for its fresh approach to storytelling, realistic depiction of violence, and strong performances. It was noted as a cult classic that redefined Telugu cinema's narrative style and technical standards.
Final Box-Office Result
🏟 Theatrical Centers Run
100 Days - Centers
| # | City | Theater | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyderabad | Devi | — |
| 2 | Vijayawada | Raj | — |
| 3 | Visakhapatnam | Jagadamba | — |
| 4 | Tirupati | PGR Movie Land | — |
| 5 | Anantapur | Santhi | — |
| 6 | Kurnool | Anand | — |
| 7 | Madanapally | Krishna | — |
| 8 | Eluru | Kalpana | — |
| 9 | Palakollu | Annapurna | — |
| 10 | Warangal | Gemini | — |
| 11 | Nellore | Krishna | — |
| 12 | Kakinada | Chandragupta | — |
| 13 | Rajahmundry | Kumari | — |
| 14 | Amalapuram | Venkatadri | — |
| 15 | Chilakaluripet | Viswanath | — |
| 16 | Chittoor | Raghava | — |
| 17 | Kadapa | Royal | — |
| 18 | Proddutur | Sudha | — |
| 19 | Bheemavaram | Satyanarayana | — |
| 20 | Tanuku | Narendra | — |
| 21 | Tadepalligudem | Lakshminarayana | — |
| 22 | Guntur | Manga | — |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Siva 1989 release in theatres?▾
Siva 1989 released on 5 October 1989 (1989).
Is Siva 1989 a hit or flop?▾
Siva 1989 is declared a CLASSIC at the box office.
Where to watch Siva 1989 online? OTT release date?▾
Siva 1989 is available on ZEE5, Vi Movies and TV, Eros Now, MX Player from 5 January 2019.
Who directed Siva 1989?▾
Siva 1989 directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Produced by Surendra Yarlagadda.
Who are the main cast members of Siva 1989?▾
Siva 1989 stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Amala Akkineni, Raghuvaran.
What is the Tollybo rating for Siva 1989?▾
Tollybo rates Siva 1989 3.75/5. Verdict: CLASSIC.
Who composed the music for Siva 1989?▾
Music for Siva 1989 composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
What is the genre and runtime of Siva 1989?▾
Siva 1989 — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 145 minutes, Language: Telugu.