Yamaleela(1994)
Yamaleela is a 1994 Indian Telugu-language fantasy comedy film written, directed, and composed by S. V. Krishna Reddy. The film stars comedian Ali in his debut lead role, alongside Indraja, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Manju Bhargavi, Brahmanandam, and Tanikella Bharani. The story follows Suraj, a young man who finds a magical book that predicts the future, which falls from heaven after Yama and Chitragupta misplace it. Suraj uses the book to become wealthy and reclaim his family's lost palace, but must protect his mother from her prophesied death. The film blends comedy, emotion, and fantasy, and was a major box office success on a budget of ₹75 lakh. It won a Nandi Award for Best Choreographer and was remade in Hindi as Taqdeerwala and in Tamil as Lucky Man.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Prime Video, Aha Video, Aha
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1994
- Director
- S. V. Krishna Reddy
- Language
- Telugu
- Runtime
- 2h 25m
- Rating
- 5.8/10
Storyline
A young man named Suraj finds a magical book that can predict the future. The book belongs to Yama, the god of death, who lost it. Suraj uses the book to become rich and win back his family's palace. But he learns that his mother is destined to die. He must fight Yama and a local rowdy to save her life.
“When a mortal holds the book of fate”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Yamaleela
Cast reunions in this film: Kota Srinivasa Rao & Brahmanandam (90 films together), Tanikella Bharani & Brahmanandam (86 films together), Brahmanandam & Ali (42 films together), Tanikella Bharani & Kota Srinivasa Rao (37 films together), Brahmanandam & Kaikala Satyanarayana (18 films together), and Kota Srinivasa Rao & Ali (16 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Yamaleela' is a playful portmanteau of 'Yama' (the god of death) and 'Leela' (divine play or drama).
- Director S.V. Krishna Reddy also composed the film's music, a dual role he often took in his early career.
- The movie was a major comeback for veteran actor S.V. Ranga Rao, who played Lord Yama, after a period of ill health.
- A key comedy scene where Brahmanandam's character gets stuck in a well was filmed using a real, deep well for authenticity.
- The film's plot involving a lost book of destiny was considered a novel fantasy concept in Telugu cinema at the time.
- It was one of the early films for actress Roja, who rose to fame through this and other 1994 releases.
- The movie was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in many theaters across Andhra Pradesh.