Chaarulatha: Difference between revisions

| producer      = [[Dwarakish]] (Kannada) <br/> Ramesh Krishnamoorthy (Tamil)

| studio        = Global One Studios (Tamil),<br>Dwarakish Chithra (Kannada)

'''''Chaarulatha''''' (also spelled as '''''Charulatha''''') is a 2012 Indian [[horror film]] made in [[Kannada language|Kannada]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. The film was directed by [[Pon Kumaran]], a former associate to [[K. Bhagyaraj]] and [[K. S. Ravikumar]], and features [[Priyamani]] in the lead role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-27/news-interviews/31244097_1_siamese-twins-priyamani-horror|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204437/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-27/news-interviews/31244097_1_siamese-twins-priyamani-horror|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2014|title=Priyamani plays Siamese twins?|date=27 March 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=23 May 2012}}</ref> The film was an adaptation of the Thai horror film ''[[Alone (2007 film)|Alone]]'' which itself was based on My Brothers Keeper an episode of Tale From The Crypt season 2. [[Sundar C Babu]] composed the film's music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/priyamani-to-act-in-kannada-horror-film/264245-71-205.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105195255/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/priyamani-to-act-in-kannada-horror-film/264245-71-205.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 January 2014|title=Priyamani to act in Kannada horror film |publisher=CNN-IBN|date=4 June 2012|access-date=4 June 2012}}</ref> The film’s story is about conjoined twins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/priyamani-excited-801|title=Priyamani excited |work=DeccanChronicle|date=9 June 2012|access-date=9 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-priya-mani-to-play-conjoined-twins-in--charulatha/20120725.htm |title=Priya Mani to play conjoined twins in Charulatha |publisher=Rediff |date=25 July 2012 |access-date=4 August 2012}}</ref> Produced by Global One Studios and distributed by [[W. Hansraj Saxena|Hansraj Saxena]]'s [[W. Hansraj Saxena#Sax Pictures|Sax Pictures]], ''Charulatha'' released on 21 September 2012 with dubbed [[Malayalam]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] versions with the same title. It is based on ''[[Alone (2007 film)|Alone]]'' a thai language film. This film is also remade in Malayalam as ''[[Geethaanjali]]''.

* [[Aarthi (actress)|Aarthi]]

* [[R. N. Sudarshan]]

* Baby Gandhana as Child Latha

* [[P. Ravi Shankar]] as Samiyar

[[Priyamani]] was recruited to enact dual roles as conjoined twins in a film loosely based on the Thai horror film ''[[Alone (2007 film)|Alone]]''.<ref name=toi/> Malayalam actor [[Skanda Ashok]] was signed to play the male protagonist. Actors such as [[Saranya Ponvannan]], [[Seetha (actress)|Seetha]] and ''Vettaikaran'' Sai Sasi were signed on for crucial roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/82620.html|title=Priyamani is 'Chaarulatha'|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2 June 2012|access-date=2 June 2012}}</ref> Yoganand, Shabari and Kalidas penned the dialogues. The budget of the film was reported to be {{INRConvert|60|m}}.<ref name=toi/> Priyamani denied that the film was based on the Hollywood film ''[[Stuck on You (film)|Stuck on You]]'', asserting that it had an "original storyline".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/news-interviews/31350317_1_priya-mani-malayalam-film-women-centric-films | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411033128/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-17/news-interviews/31350317_1_priya-mani-malayalam-film-women-centric-films | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 April 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Priya Mani to essay her most difficult role | access-date=29 March 2013}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==

The audio and trailer release function of ''Charulatha'' was held at Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai. [[W. Hansraj Saxena|Hansraj Saxena]], Dhananjayan Govind, Priyamani, Saranya Ponvannan, composer [[Vijay Antony]], lyricist [[Madhan Karky]] alongside directors [[K. Bhagyaraj]], [[K. S. Ravikumar]] and [[R. Kannan]] graced the event. Ravikumar released the audio and Bhagyaraj received it.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}

==Release==

The film was released in Kannada and Tamil version. The film was also dubbed in [[Malayalam]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] languages.<ref name="toi">{{cite news | url=http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=27&edlabel=TOICH&mydateHid=02-08-2012&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Chennai+-+Chennai+Times&edname=&articleid=Ar02700&format=&publabel=TOI | title=No comparisons please! | date=5 August 2012 | access-date=5 August 2012 | last=Christopher | first=Kavya | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | location=Tiruchirappalli}}</ref> While the Malayalam version was dubbed from Kannada, the Telugu version was dubbed from the Tamil print.<ref name=toi/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/84351.html|title=Priyamani dubs in 4 languages for Charulatha!|publisher=IndiaGlitz|date=2 August 2012|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> The Tamil version received a "U" (Universal) certificate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/49421/sandalwood/different-certificates-for-charulatha-why-news-details |title=Different Certificates for 'Charulatha' - Why? |publisher=Supergoodmovies.com |date=14 September 2012 |access-date=19 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812024103/http://www.supergoodmovies.com/49421/sandalwood/different-certificates-for-charulatha-why-news-details |archive-date=12 August 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Later it was dubbed in [[Hindi language|Hindi]] with same title.

The film was released on 21 September 2012. The satellite rights of the Tamil Version of film were sold to [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]].<ref>https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/programmes/charulatha/params/tvprogramme/programmeid-30000000549822165/channelid-10000000000590000/starttime-201803301000</ref>

===Reception===

''Charulatha'' received mixed to positive reviews. ''In.com'' wrote that it "works in parts" and added that it was a "good movie in a horror genre".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/chaarulatha-works-in-most-parts-50135263-in-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924094632/http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/chaarulatha-works-in-most-parts-50135263-in-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2012 |title=Chaarulatha works in most parts! |publisher=In.com |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/09/21/347--Charulatha-Neither-scares-nor-entertains-Tamil-Movie-Review-.html |title='Charulatha' - Neither scares nor entertains |publisher=Newstrackindia.com |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> ''[[The New Indian Express]]''' reviewer A Sharadhaa days that director Pon Kumar "does show signs of his hold on film making", further adding that it did not "seem to keep up to the hype", although Priyamani was lauded for her "splendid" and "stellar" performance.<ref>{{cite web|author=A Sharadhaa |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/article1237927.ece |title='Charulatha' (Multilingual) |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=22 September 2012 |access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> Srikanth Srinivasa from [[Rediff]] labelled it as "Priya Mani's show all the way" and that it was is a "brilliant film that could have been more emotionally appealing".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-chaarulatha-is-priya-mani-s-show/20120921.htm |title=Review: Chaarulatha is Priya Mani's show all the way |publisher=Rediff |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> [[Sify]]'s critic noted that the film "turns out to be a watered down Indian remake which is neither spooky nor entertaining", going on to add: "The saving grace of the film is Priyamani’s twin role as otherwise the script and presentation is shoddy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/charulatha-review-tamil-15008320.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311041036/http://www.sify.com/movies/charulatha-review-tamil-15008320.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2014 |title=Movie Review : Charulatha |publisher=Sify |access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref> ''Behindwoods'' rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, saying "For a horror film, there is not much of spookiness or eeriness but for the oft-repeated 'spirit’ual sojourns. Nevertheless Charulatha gets its brownie points for the novelty factor, good performance and fitting visual effects coupled with a fairly engaging narration."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-reviews/reviews-2/sep-12-04/charulatha-review.html |title=Charulatha Review |publisher=Behindwoods |date=4 September 2012 |access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref>

The film below average mark at the box office ranging 20% - 35% occupancy on first day collected only {{INR}} 16.6&nbsp;million (Both versions).The film under performed during its first weekend grossed {{INR}} 40&nbsp;million (Both versions) despite having huge number of theaters.<ref>http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/charulatha/charulatha-box-office-oct-07.html</ref>