Tholi Prema (1998) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Tholi Prema (1998) Review
Tholi Prema (1998) is a Telugu drama, romance film directed by A. Karunakaran, starring Pawan Kalyan, Keerthi Reddy, Vasuki Anand. Balu falls in love with Anu who has come to her grandfather's house from the US. He even saves her life during an accident, but he is still not able to express his love to her. Our Rating: 3.5/5. Verdict: BLOCKBUSTER. Released: 24 Jul 1998. Runtime: 2h 16m.
Tholi Prema(1998)
Telugu · Drama, Romance
2h 16m · 24 Jul 1998
Writer: Ramana Chintapally, A. Karunakaran
Ratings
Our Rating
3.5
📖 Story
Tholi Prema is a romantic drama that narrates the story of Balu, a carefree and jovial young man, who falls in love with Anu. The film explores their journey through love, misunderstandings, and emotional growth, highlighting the innocence and intensity of first love.
Pawan Kalyan: Charismatic and heartfelt portrayal of Balu, capturing youthful exuberance and emotional depth.
Keerthi Reddy: Graceful and expressive performance as Anu, effectively conveying the nuances of love and vulnerability.
Vasuki Anand: Supporting role with limited screen time but impactful presence.
A. Karunakaran: Comedic timing added light moments to the narrative.
Pawan Kalyan: Provided comic relief with energetic performance.
Keerthi Reddy: Supporting role with steady performance.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Engaging romantic storyline
- ✓Strong performances by lead actors
- ✓Memorable music and soundtrack
- ✓Emotional connect with audience
- ✓Effective screenplay and dialogues
Weaknesses
- ✕Pacing issues in the second half
- ✕Some predictable plot elements
🎬 Direction & Writing
A. Karunakaran's direction is sensitive and focused on the emotional core of the story, successfully bringing out the innocence of young love with a balanced narrative and well-crafted scenes.
📰 Critic Reviews
Movies starts off in a sluggish mode, but gets enjoyable as the story shifts to college and progresses well till interval. The first half sticks to story and has a different orientation. Director incorporates some regular elements in second half to cater to family crowds and masses. Climax is wrapped up in a simple man…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
| Run | Centers |
|---|---|
| 50 Days Centers | 53 |
| 100 Days Centers | 17 |
| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National Film Award | Best Feature Film in Telugu | Recognized for excellence in Telugu cinema |
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Actor – Telugu | Pawan Kalyan won for his performance |
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Music Director – Telugu | Awarded for the film's music |
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | High |
| Neutral | Low |
| Negative | Minimal |
Critics
Critics widely praised Tholi Prema for its fresh take on romance and the chemistry between the leads. The film was noted for its melodious music and relatable storytelling, which resonated well with the youth audience.
Final Box-Office Result
🏟 Theatrical Centers Run
100 Days - Centers
| # | City | Theater | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vizag | Leela Mahal | 100 |
| 2 | Anakapalli | Gopalakrishna | 100 |
| 3 | Srikakulam | Murali | 100 |
| 4 | Hyderabad | Sandhya 35 mm | 100 |
| 5 | Rajahmundry | Swamy | 100 |
| 6 | Kakinada | Sridevi | 100 |
| 7 | Amalapuram | Venkataramana | 100 |
| 8 | Eluru | Satyanarayana | 100 |
| 9 | Bheemavaram | Mahalakshmi | 100 |
| 10 | Palakollu | Gajalakshmi | 100 |
| 11 | Vijayawada | Sailaja | 100 |
| 12 | Guntur | Liberty | 100 |
| 13 | Tenali | Asha | 100 |
| 14 | Nellore | Kaveri | 100 |
| 15 | Cuddapah | Amir | 100 |
| 16 | Kurnool | Navrang | 100 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Tholi Prema release in theatres?▾
Tholi Prema released on 24 July 1998 (1998).
Is Tholi Prema a hit or flop?▾
Tholi Prema is declared a BLOCKBUSTER at the box office.
What is the budget of Tholi Prema?▾
Budget of Tholi Prema is approximately ₹70000 Crore.
Where to watch Tholi Prema online? OTT release date?▾
Tholi Prema is available on JioHotstar, YouTube, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Tholi Prema?▾
Tholi Prema directed by A. Karunakaran. Produced by G.V.G Raju.
Who are the main cast members of Tholi Prema?▾
Tholi Prema stars Pawan Kalyan, Keerthi Reddy, Vasuki Anand.
What is the Tollybo rating for Tholi Prema?▾
Tollybo rates Tholi Prema 3.5/5. Verdict: BLOCKBUSTER.
What is the genre and runtime of Tholi Prema?▾
Tholi Prema — Genre: Drama, Romance, Runtime: 136 minutes, Language: Telugu.