Directed by P. Bhanumathi | ||
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Produced by P. S. Ramakrishna RaoP. Bhanumathi Written by Samudrala Raghavacharya Starring N. T. Rama RaoP. BhanumathiRelangi Venkata RamaiahC. S. R. AnjaneyuluS.V.Ranga RaoAmarnath Music by C. R. Subburaman & M. S. Viswanathan Cinematography P. N. Selvaraj A. Vincent | ||
Chandirani (Telugu: చండీరాణి, Tamil: சண்டிராணி) is a 1953 drama film produced and directed by P. Bhanumathi. It is the first Indian film directed by a woman director. She also played double role in this film. It is simultaneously produced in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi languages by Bharani studios.
Contents
The plot
King Veerasimha (Amarnath) attracted towards court dancer during his birthday celebrations. She delivers twin girls after their union. The Senani Prachandudu (Ranga Rao), who also likes her, kills the dancer and imprisons the King. The minister saves one of the twins and send her to forest. Knowing this, Prachanda kills him and takes charge of the kingdom. The other twin stays in the kingdom. Champarani in the kingdom and Chandirani in the forest (Bhanumathi in double role) grown up as two different personalities. Son of the minister Kishore (NT Ramarao in Both Telugu and Tamil Versions and Dilip Kumar in Hindi Version) and Champarani loves each other. Mukund (Relangi) is son of Prachandadu. Kishore goes to the forest and came to know about Chandirani and she loves him. With the help of Mukund, Chandirani enters the fort and meets her father. She comes to know about the love between Champarani and Kishore. Meanwhile, Prachandudu arrests Kishore. Chandirani attacks the kingdom with the help of people. During the conflict Prachandudu and Chandirani dies. She unites Champarani and Kishore.
Cast
Crew
Soundtrack
The music was composed by C. R. Subburaman & M. S. Viswanathan.
Telugu songs
Lyrics by Samudrala Raghavacharya.
Tamil songs
Lyrics by K. D. Santhanam.
Hindi songs
Lyrics by Vishwamitra Adil.
Critical reception
An Article published in the Newspaper 'THE HINDU' reviewed about the movie: "Though there is nothing new in the story, the novelty lies in the manner it is narrated. Chandi’s sword fight and the fight sequences with the tiger, the exchange of places by the siblings, went well with the audience."
Chandirani earned decent profits for the producers. It also holds the record for being the only movie to be released in three languages on the same day (August 28, 1953) with over 100 prints across the length and breadth of the country.