Year: 1994
Runtime: 150 mins
Language: Telugu
Director: S.V. Krishna Reddy
After the god of death Yama and his clerk Chitragupta lose the prophetic book Bhavishyavaani, it ends up with Suraj, a mischievous young man. Brahma warns them they must recover it within a month or lose their supernatural powers, prompting Yama and Chitragupta to descend to Earth in pursuit of the missing manuscript.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Yamaleela yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Yamaleela (1994), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Suraj is a mischievous young man who often leaves his mother disappointed with his reckless behavior. When he learns about his family’s past, he discovers that his father was a zamindar and the owner of the grand Swarna Palace, a estate that fell into ruin after he died burdened by debts. This revelation fuels Suraj’s determination to restore his family’s name and happiness, and he makes a vow to reclaim the palace at any cost. Along the way, he finds himself drawn to Lilly, a petty thief with formidable ambitions, but she does not return his affections, setting off a complicated love triangle that soon collides with danger.
The story takes a fantastical turn when the celestial world arrives with a twist of fate. Yama, the god of death, and his aide Chitragupta misplace the Bhavishyavaani, a book that foretells the future. The wayward book lands on the roof of Suraj’s house, and with its predictions at hand, Suraj begins to accumulate wealth rapidly. This sudden windfall astonishes Thota Ramudu, a local rowdy who harbors a grudge against Lilly and senses that something otherworldly is at play. Back in the heavens, Lord Brahma warns Yama and Chitragupta that they must retrieve the book within a month or they will lose their supernatural powers forever.
On Earth, Suraj fulfills his vow in a surprising and personal way: he buys back Swarna Palace and takes his mother to live there, hoping to restore her happiness and dignity. When she expresses a wish for him to marry, Suraj checks the Bhavishyavaani to see whether Lilly might become his wife. The oracle, however, reveals a harsher truth: his mother is doomed to die at 10 PM that very night. To honor her last wish, Suraj stages a fake wedding with Lilly, hoping to grant her a moment of joy. Yet the plan leads to an unexpected turn when his mother survives the night. Lilly, furious at the deception, confronts Suraj and his mother’s anger grows so intense that she refuses to speak to him until he truly marries Lilly.
Meanwhile, Yama and Chitragupta descend to the mortal world in search of the missing book, but their arrival is marred by misunderstandings, with the public mistaking them for drama artists. Suraj becomes aware of their true identities and realizes that his mother’s survival hinges on the fact that the Bhavishyavaani remains inaccessible to divine hands. In a bid to shield his mother from further danger, Suraj creates a trap for Yama with the aid of a woman named Latha. Yet Yama uncovers the deception and learns that Suraj is in possession of the book, setting the stage for a tense confrontation.
Yama confronts Suraj and demands the return of the Bhavishyavaani, but Suraj refuses to yield. The two celestial beings try to reclaim the book through several failed schemes, while Thota Ramudu presses hard to uncover Suraj’s secret of success. In a dramatic moment, Yama intervenes when Thota Ramudu brutally assaults Suraj, and Suraj explains that his actions have been driven by an unwavering devotion to his mother. This candid confession earns Yama’s reluctant respect. Yama visits Suraj’s house in disguise, blessing the family with a stroke of luck that extends the mother’s life, yet without fully revealing his identity to the family.
As the plot thickens, Lilly and Thota Ramudu intensify their schemes to uncover Suraj’s secret. Lilly pretends to fall for Suraj in order to coax the truth from him, but her efforts falter. When faced with a choice between Lilly and his mother, Suraj makes the unwavering decision to protect his mother, a choice that reshapes Lilly’s perception of his character and reveals the depth of his love and loyalty.
In a climactic turn, Thota Ramudu kidnaps Suraj’s mother and demands the book in exchange for her safety. To save her, Suraj hands over the Bhavishyavaani, surrendering it to the threat. Yama seizes the opportunity to strike down Thota Ramudu and recovers the book. Yet, in a final twist, when Yama returns to claim the life of Suraj’s mother, he discovers that she now enjoys a long life because of the blessing he had previously granted—an unexpected mercy that alters the fate of the entire family.
The film closes on a note of vindication and quiet triumph: Suraj’s steadfast devotion to his mother, the revelation of his true intentions, and the celestial intervention that saved them all weave a story about sacrifice, loyalty, and the power of a family’s love. The dual threads of earthly struggle and divine interference converge to affirm that sometimes the bravest act is simply choosing the well-being of a loved one over personal gain, even when the cost is steep and the future uncertain.
Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:13
Don't stop at just watching — explore Yamaleela in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Yamaleela is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Yamaleela with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Yamaleela that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Yamaleela (1994) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Yamaleela (1994) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Yamaleela (1994) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Yamaleela – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se (2018) Story Summary & Characters
Dharma Prabhu (2019) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Yemaali (2018) Story Summary & Characters
Yajamana (2000) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Yamadonga (2007) Complete Plot Breakdown
Yateem (1988) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Yamudiki Mogudu (1988) Full Movie Breakdown
Adharvam (1989) Film Overview & Timeline
Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989) Full Summary & Key Details
Nadhikalil Sundari Yamuna (2023) Full Movie Breakdown
Yejaman (1993) Complete Plot Breakdown
Yeshwant (1997) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Taqdeerwala (1995) Detailed Story Recap
Yamagola (1977) Movie Recap & Themes