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{{About|the 1995 film|other uses|Chandralekha (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Chandralekha
| image          = Chandralekha (1995 film).jpg
| image          = Chandralekha_(1995_film).jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| caption        = Release Poster
| director      = [[MGR Nambi|Nambirajan]]
| director      = [[Nambirajan]]
| writer        = Nambirajan
| producer      = N. Sreedevi
| producer      = N. Sreedevi
| writer        = Nambirajan
| starring      = [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]<br />[[Vanitha Vijayakumar]]
| starring      = [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]]<br>[[Vanitha Vijayakumar]]<br>[[Sindhu (actress)|Sindhu]]<br>[[Jaishankar]]<br>[[Sarath Babu]]<br>[[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]]<br>[[Senthil]]<br>[[Vadivelu]]<br>[[Karan (actor)|Karan]]
| music          = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| cinematography = K. S. Selvaraj
| cinematography = K. S. Selvaraj
| editing        = R. Bhaskaran
| editing        = R. Bhaskaran
| studio        = Shri Sairam Arts (P) Ltd.
| music          = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| distributor    = Shri Sairam Arts (P) Ltd.
| studio        = Shri Sairam Arts
| released      = 23 October 1995
| released      = {{film date|1995|10|23|df=y}}
| runtime        = 136 minutes
| runtime        = 136 minutes
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Tamil
| language      = Tamil
| budget        = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
}}
}}


'''''Chandralekha''''' is a 1995 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic action film]], directed by [[Nambirajan]]. Starring [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] and [[Vanitha Vijayakumar]] in her debut,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jointscene.com/movies/kollywood/Chandralekha_-_1995/1162 |title=Chandralekha - 1995 |work=Joint Scene |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316152343/http://www.jointscene.com/movies/Kollywood/Chandralekha_-_1995/1162 |archivedate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinesouth.com/cgi-bin/filmography/allCast.cgi?id=1868 |title=Filmography of chandralekha |work=Cinesouth |date=1995-10-21 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407003148/http://www.cinesouth.com/cgi-bin/filmography/allCast.cgi?id=1868 |archivedate=2012-04-07}}</ref> the film had music composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>http://vijayfilmsongs.blogspot.com/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozMlujUjKkc</ref> The film was released on 23 October 1995 on Diwali clashing with [[Rajinikanth]] film ''[[Muthu (film)|Muthu]]'', and ''Chandralekha'' performed mediocre at the box office, even though the film songs were a hit.<ref name="Sify">{{cite web | title=Kollywood's craze for hit titles 1 | website=Sify | url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kollywoods-craze-for-hit-titles-imagegallery-1-kollywood-sdmpkQidjbghi.html | access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref> The film is about Hindu-Muslim marriage riots. The film's title was also titled after the hit song ''Chandralekha'' from ''[[Thiruda Thiruda]]'' (1993) film.
'''''Chandralekha''''' is a 1995 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama film]], directed by [[MGR Nambi|Nambirajan]]. Starring [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] and [[Vanitha Vijayakumar]] in her debut,<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 October 2019 |title=Vanitha Vijayakumar announces her TV debut with Chandralekha; see video |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/vanitha-vijayakumar-announces-her-tv-debut-with-chandralekha-see-video/articleshow/71808114.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/Avqj3 |archive-date=23 February 2026 |access-date=23 February 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> the film revolves around an orthodox [[Brahmin]] girl falling in love with a [[Tamil Muslim|Muslim]] boy, Rahim, but their families do not accept it. The lovers try to elope and are caught by militants in the forest. ''Chandralekha'' was released on 23 October 1995,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chandralekha ( 1995 ) |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/cgi-bin/filmography/allCast.cgi?id=1868 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407003148/http://www.cinesouth.com/cgi-bin/filmography/allCast.cgi?id=1868 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |access-date=15 September 2011 |website=Cinesouth |language=en}}</ref> during [[Diwali]], and did not perform well at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajaveebeeshika |date=29 October 2018 |title=Sarkar Diwali release: 11 other times Vijay's films released during the festival |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/sarkar-diwali-release-11-other-times-vijays-films-released-during-the-festival/306099 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730003025/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/sarkar-diwali-release-11-other-times-vijays-films-released-during-the-festival/306099 |archive-date=30 July 2019 |access-date=23 February 2026 |website=[[Times Now]] |language=en}}</ref>
 
== Plot ==
Chandralekha, a sheltered girl from an orthodox [[Brahmin]] community, meets Rahim, a free-spirited [[Muslims|Muslim]] boy, at a local bookstore, and the two form a strong connection. Rahim's friend Salima, who is secretly in love with Rahim, is disappointed to learn of his feelings for Chandralekha. Jealous, Salima confides in her older brother Jamal and asks for his assistance in securing Rahim's love for herself.
 
Jamal and Mustafa, Rahim's older brother, plan to establish an engagement between Rahim and Salima without Rahim's knowledge. Believing that Rahim would eventually accept the engagement, they thought it was the best way to preserve family honour and preserve the social order.
 
Rahim and Chandralekha's families discover their relationship and vehemently oppose it. Bound by the traditions and religious beliefs of their respective communities, they refuse to accept an [[interfaith marriage]] between a Brahmin and a Muslim.  


==Plot==
Rahim and Chandralekha decide to escape the disapproval of their families and elope. On their journey, Rahim and Chandralekha are captured in the forest by a group of militants. They are eventually freed by the police and return home. Meanwhile, Mustafa, moved by Rahim and Chandra's love, urges the families to accept the marriage.  
Chandralekha, an orthodox Brahmin girl, falls in love with, Rahim, a Muslim boy. Whereas, Salima loves Rahim since her childhood. Mustafa, Rahim's brother, and Jamal, Salima's brother, agrees to engage Salima and Rahim without Rahim's permission. Their families discover the love between Rahim and Chandralekha and don't accept it. Meanwhile, the lovers try to run away from everybody but are caught by militants in the forest. Salima becomes mentally unstable unable to bear her love failure. Rahim and Chandralekha are rescued from the militants by the police and brought safely to the village. Mustafa transforms and agrees for their wedding. Jamal, upset that her sister has gone mad, kills Chandralekha and Rahim at the railway station. Immediately, policemen kill Jamal. In the end, Chandralekha makes a wish that she and Rahim's dead body are to be buried together.


==Cast==
The pain over Rahim's rejection has pushed Salima to the brink of insanity. Overwhelmed by his sister's suffering, Jamal attacks and kills Rahim and Chandralekha. In her final moments of life Chandralekha expresses her wish to be buried beside Rahim. The policemen, who are present at the murder, shoot and kill Jamal.
{{colbegin}}
 
* [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] as Rahim
The people of the village honour Chandralekha's wish, burying Rahim and Chandralekha side by side.
* [[Vanitha Vijayakumar]] as Chandralekha<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/bigg-boss-tamil-3-vanitha-vijayakumar-thalapathy-vijay-work-experience-chandralekha-tamil-news-245118|title=VANITHA ON BEING VIJAY'S HEROINE|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref>
 
* [[Sindhu (actress)|Sindhu]] as Salima
== Cast ==
* [[Jaishankar]] as Ibrahim
{{cast listing|
* [[Sarath Babu]] as Shankar
* [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] as Rahim Rowther
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as Mustafa
* [[Vanitha Vijayakumar]] as Chandra
* [[Karan (actor)|Karan]] as Jamal
* [[Sindhu (actress)|Sindhu]] as Suhara Raziya
* [[Jaishankar (actor)|Jaishankar]] as Ibrahim Rowther
* [[Sarath Babu]] as Sathyaraj Iyer
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as Mustafa Rowther
* [[Karan (actor)|Karan]] as Jamal Rowther
* [[Senthil]] as Ulaganathan
* [[Senthil]] as Ulaganathan
* [[Vadivelu]] as Sundaram
* [[Vadivelu]] as Sundaram Iyer
* [[Sabitha Anand]] as Fathima
* [[Sabitha Anand]] as Fathima
* [[Kalaranjini]] as Chandralekha's mother
* [[Kalaranjini]] as Chandralekha's mother
Line 44: Line 50:
* [[LIC Narasimhan]] as Ramachandran
* [[LIC Narasimhan]] as Ramachandran
* [[Pasi Narayanan]] as Village Man
* [[Pasi Narayanan]] as Village Man
* [[Sanjeev (Tamil actor, born 1975)|Sanjeev]] as Rahim's friend
* [[Sanjeev Venkat|Sanjeev]] as Salim, Rahim's friend
* Karnaa Radha
* Karnaa Radha
{{colend}}
}}
 
== Production ==
The film was shot in Delhi, Agra, Kulu Manali, and Talakonam.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kummar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=20 October 1995 |title=Big screen bonanza |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951021/03/2041a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961222033105/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951021/03/2041a.html |archive-date=22 December 1996 |access-date=8 July 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |pages=41 |language=en}}</ref> Before the filming of the song "Allah Un Unnai", Vijay refused to film due to being discontent over his costume, until his mother [[Shoba Chandrasekhar|Shoba]] persuaded him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 June 2020 |title=Vijay refused to come out for shooting, reveals Vanitha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-refused-to-come-out-for-shooting-reveals-vanitha/articleshow/76301733.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223124516/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-refused-to-come-out-for-shooting-reveals-vanitha/articleshow/76301733.cms |archive-date=23 February 2026 |access-date=23 February 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
== Soundtrack ==
The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/album/T0000554.html|title=Chandralekha Songs|accessdate=2013-09-17|work=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref>
The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chandralekha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1995) |url=https://www.raaga.com/tamil/album/chandralekha-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-songs-T0005480 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712050136/https://www.raaga.com/tamil/album/chandralekha-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-songs-T0005480 |archive-date=12 July 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=[[Raaga.com]] |language=en}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! No. !! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length (m:ss)
! Song !! Singers !! Lyrics !! Length
|-
|-
| 1 || "Adikkadi Thudikum" || [[Swarnalatha]] || Kamakodiyan || 5:28
| "Adikkadi Thudikum" || [[Swarnalatha]] || [[Kamakodiyan]] || 5:28
|-
|-
| 2 || "Adi Aathadi" || [[K. S. Chithra]] || Panju Arunachalam || 5:03
| "Adi Aathadi" || [[K. S. Chithra]] || [[Panchu Arunachalam]] || 5:03
|-
|-
| 3 || "Allah Un Aanai" || [[P. Unni Krishnan]], Preethi Uttamsingh || [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] || 6:02
| "Allah Un Aanai" || [[P. Unnikrishnan]], Preethi Uttamsingh || [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] || 6:02
|-
|-
| 4 || "Andanil Vaazhnthidum" || [[Bhavatharini]] || Kamakodiyan || 6:00
| "Anal thanil vaadidum" || [[Bhavatharini]] || Kamakodiyan || 6:00
|-
|-
| 5 || "Arumbum Thalire" || Arun Mozhi || Vaali || 4:49
| "Arumbum Thalire" || [[Arunmozhi]], Geetha || rowspan=2|Vaali || 4:49
|-
|-
| 6 || "Sangili" || [[Mano (singer)|Mano]], K. S. Chithra || Muthulingam || 5:35
| "Arumbum Thalire II" || P. Unnikrishnan || 0:47
|-
|-
| 7 || "Tharai Varamal" || Arun Mozhi, P. Unni Krishnan || Vaali || 1:48
| "Sangili" || [[Mano (singer)|Mano]], K. S. Chithra || [[Muthulingam (poet)|Muthulingam]] || 5:35
|-
|-
| 8 || "Vanji Ponnu" || K. S. Chithra || Panju Arunachalam || 5:19
| "Tharai Varamal" || P. Unnikrishnan, Geetha, [[Arunmozhi]] || Vaali || 1:48
|-
| "Vanji Ponnu" || K. S. Chithra || Panchu Arunachalam || 5:19
|}
|}


==References==
== Reception ==
Thulasi of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' wrote that the director seems to have thought he was dealing with a huge thing. The story is about love beyond religion. In this one thing, the man has felt too happy but left all the other things together with the fort, the wall, and the trench.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=துளசி |date=3 December 1995 |title=சந்திரலேகா |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1995-12-03/page/n65/mode/2up |access-date=11 February 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=64 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> D. S. Ramanujam of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote that the director "banks mostly on Vijay [...] to produce the results with his  youthful looks and fighting abilities,"  although Vanitha "does not put sufficient efforts in to acting the role of a heroine".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=3 November 1995 |title=Cinema: Muthu/Chandralekha/Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951104/03/0326b.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961222014659/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951104/03/0326b.html |archive-date=22 December 1996 |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]] |pages=26 |language=en}}</ref>
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
*{{IMDb title|0318357}}
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandralekha (1995 Film)}}
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1995 films]]
[[Category:1995 films]]
[[Category:1995 Indian films]]
[[Category:1995 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:1995 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by MGR Nambi]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:1990s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in forests]]
[[Category:Films shot in Agra]]
[[Category:Films shot in Delhi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Manali, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian interfaith romance films]]
[[Category:Indian interfaith romance films]]
[[Category:1995 romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]

Latest revision as of 18:24, 28 March 2026

Chandralekha
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Theatrical release poster
Directed byNambirajan
Produced byN. Sreedevi
Written byNambirajan
StarringVijay
Vanitha Vijayakumar
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyK. S. Selvaraj
Edited byR. Bhaskaran
Production
company
Shri Sairam Arts
Release date
  • 23 October 1995 (1995-10-23)
Running time
136 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Chandralekha is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film, directed by Nambirajan. Starring Vijay and Vanitha Vijayakumar in her debut,[1] the film revolves around an orthodox Brahmin girl falling in love with a Muslim boy, Rahim, but their families do not accept it. The lovers try to elope and are caught by militants in the forest. Chandralekha was released on 23 October 1995,[2] during Diwali, and did not perform well at the box office.[3]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Chandralekha, a sheltered girl from an orthodox Brahmin community, meets Rahim, a free-spirited Muslim boy, at a local bookstore, and the two form a strong connection. Rahim's friend Salima, who is secretly in love with Rahim, is disappointed to learn of his feelings for Chandralekha. Jealous, Salima confides in her older brother Jamal and asks for his assistance in securing Rahim's love for herself.

Jamal and Mustafa, Rahim's older brother, plan to establish an engagement between Rahim and Salima without Rahim's knowledge. Believing that Rahim would eventually accept the engagement, they thought it was the best way to preserve family honour and preserve the social order.

Rahim and Chandralekha's families discover their relationship and vehemently oppose it. Bound by the traditions and religious beliefs of their respective communities, they refuse to accept an interfaith marriage between a Brahmin and a Muslim.

Rahim and Chandralekha decide to escape the disapproval of their families and elope. On their journey, Rahim and Chandralekha are captured in the forest by a group of militants. They are eventually freed by the police and return home. Meanwhile, Mustafa, moved by Rahim and Chandra's love, urges the families to accept the marriage.

The pain over Rahim's rejection has pushed Salima to the brink of insanity. Overwhelmed by his sister's suffering, Jamal attacks and kills Rahim and Chandralekha. In her final moments of life Chandralekha expresses her wish to be buried beside Rahim. The policemen, who are present at the murder, shoot and kill Jamal.

The people of the village honour Chandralekha's wish, burying Rahim and Chandralekha side by side.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

The film was shot in Delhi, Agra, Kulu Manali, and Talakonam.[4] Before the filming of the song "Allah Un Unnai", Vijay refused to film due to being discontent over his costume, until his mother Shoba persuaded him.[5]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[6]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Adikkadi Thudikum" Swarnalatha Kamakodiyan 5:28
"Adi Aathadi" K. S. Chithra Panchu Arunachalam 5:03
"Allah Un Aanai" P. Unnikrishnan, Preethi Uttamsingh Vaali 6:02
"Anal thanil vaadidum" Bhavatharini Kamakodiyan 6:00
"Arumbum Thalire" Arunmozhi, Geetha Vaali 4:49
"Arumbum Thalire II" P. Unnikrishnan 0:47
"Sangili" Mano, K. S. Chithra Muthulingam 5:35
"Tharai Varamal" P. Unnikrishnan, Geetha, Arunmozhi Vaali 1:48
"Vanji Ponnu" K. S. Chithra Panchu Arunachalam 5:19

Reception[edit | edit source]

Thulasi of Kalki wrote that the director seems to have thought he was dealing with a huge thing. The story is about love beyond religion. In this one thing, the man has felt too happy but left all the other things together with the fort, the wall, and the trench.[7] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote that the director "banks mostly on Vijay [...] to produce the results with his youthful looks and fighting abilities," although Vanitha "does not put sufficient efforts in to acting the role of a heroine".[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Vanitha Vijayakumar announces her TV debut with Chandralekha; see video". The Times of India. 29 October 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Chandralekha ( 1995 )". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  3. ↑ Rajaveebeeshika (29 October 2018). "Sarkar Diwali release: 11 other times Vijay's films released during the festival". Times Now. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  4. ↑ Kummar, S. R. Ashok (20 October 1995). "Big screen bonanza". The Hindu. p. 41. Archived from the original on 22 December 1996. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Vijay refused to come out for shooting, reveals Vanitha". The Times of India. 10 June 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Chandralekha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1995)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  7. ↑ துளசி (3 December 1995). "சந்திரலேகா". Kalki (in தமிழ்). p. 64. Retrieved 11 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ Ramanujam, D. S. (3 November 1995). "Cinema: Muthu/Chandralekha/Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge". The Hindu. p. 26. Archived from the original on 22 December 1996. Retrieved 1 March 2024.

External links[edit | edit source]

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