Chandramukhi
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| Chandramukhi | |
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| Directed by | P. Vasu |
| Produced by | Sivaji Productions |
| Starring | Rajnikanth Jyothika Nayanthara Prabhu Vineeth Malavika Nassar Vinaya Prasad Vadivelu Sonu Sood Vijayakumar |
| Music by | Vidyasagar |
| Release date(s) | April 14, 2005 |
| Running time | 166 mins |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | Rs. 22 crores (US $5 million) |
| IMDb profile | |
Chandramukhi (Tamil : சந்திரமுகி) is a 2005 horror, comedy, family, and mystery Kollywood film. A remake of the critically acclaimed Malayalam movie Manichitrathazhu, it became popular breaking several Bollywood and other Indian film industry box office records. It is currently one of the highest grossing movies ever in the Indian film industry, running for over 700 days in one particular theatre in Tamil Nadu.
The movie stars Rajinikanth, Jyothika, Prabhu, Nayanthara, Vineeth, and Malavika. Produced by actor Prabhu under his home banner, Sivaji Productions, which is named after his father and actor Sivaji Ganesan. Chandramukhi was directed by P. Vasu and the is composed by Vidyasagar. Released on the eve of the Tamil New Year, April 14, 2005, it was subsequently dubbed into Telugu on December, 29 2005 as Chandramukhi.
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[edit] Plot
The movie opens with Saravanan (Rajnikanth) returning from the U.S.A. after studying to become a psychiatrist. He meets up with his friend, Senthilnathan (Prabhu), and his wife, Ganga (Jyothika). He learns that they have bought the Vettayapuram Palace, despite a fear of the place and attempts by the elders to dissuade them. Saravanan and his entire family move in with them.
When they go to a temple, a priest reveals why everyone is frightened. When King Vettayan lived in the palace, he took a trip to Andhra Pradesh and met the dancer Chandramukhi, instantly falling in love with her beauty. However, she would not return his love because her heart was already set on the dancer Gunasekaran. Vettayan kidnapped her and brought her back to his palace. Chandramukhi, without letting the king know, had Gunasekaran stay in a nearby house. When the king found out, he killed Gunasekaran on 'Durgashtami' and burned Chandramukhi alive. Chandramukhi continued to remain in the palace as a spirit so she could take revenge on the king. Legend has it that her soul is locked up in the southern room along with a king cobra.
When Ganga learns of this story, she wants to go to Chandramukhi's room. She gets the key and opens the door. Subsequently, strange things begin happening in the household: a ghost is scaring the people in the house, things are inexplicably breaking, and Ganga's sari catches on fire. Suspicion turns towards Durga (Nayantara), the gardener's granddaughter. Senthil calls Saravanan for help with the mysterious events. As someone tries to kill Senthil, a mysterious voice sings in the middle of the night, and Saravanan tries to figure out what's happening.
[edit] Cast
- Rajnikanth as Dr.Saravanan/Vettayan Raja
- Jyothika as Ganga/Chandramukhi
- Nayantara as Durga
- Vineeth as Viswanathan/Gunasekaran
- Malavika as Priya
- Prabhu as Senthilnathan
- Nassar as Kandaswamy
- Vinaya Prasad as Sorna
- Vadivelu as Murugesan
- Vijayakumar as Vechappan
- Sonu Sood as Oomayan
[edit] Crew
- Director : P. Vasu
- Producer : Prabhu and Ramkumar
- Music Director : Vidyasagar
- Art Director : Thotta Tharani
[edit] Similar Stories
Chandramukhi talks about Split Personality Disorder, also known as MPD or Multiple Personality Disorder. However, this was not the only work in Tamil to deal with MPD. Other stories that have MPD in their plots include:
- Anniyan (2005 film starring Vikram directed by S. Shankar)
- Marmadesam (1997-1998 Tamil novel and succesful television serial)
- Kadhal Kirukkan
- Shock (2004 Tamil horror film starring Prashanth)
Other films that portrayed characters with Psychiatric / Neurological problems include
- Ghajini (Short Term Memory Loss) (2005)
[edit] Trivia
- As of March 15, 2007 the film has run for over 700 days in Shanti Theatre.[1] It is expected to create a record for the longest running Tamil movie ever by beating the record of Haridas(1943) which ran for 768 days. Chennai.[1]
- Chandramukhi' is the 50th film for director P. Vasu and Jyothika's 30th film.
- Simran Bagga was offered the role of Ganga and Chandramukhi, but later given to Jyothika.
- The film revived the reputation of Rajinikanth since his previous film Baba was a considered failure. The actor also claimed he would not act thereafter.
- The film was critically panned. But it was able to connect with the masses and it became a mega-hit. Jyothika's acting in this movie was critically acclaimed, however, by the local Tamil media.
- The film has had a very great impact on the popular culture of Tamil Nadu, and spawned a number of comedy tracks and spoofs.
- Some scenes in the movie clash with logic, as there are several loopholes in the movie. The hero of the movie, Rajnikanth, is portrayed as a demi-god in the movie, his introduction including scenes of him throwing men single-handedly. This was criticized by the educated audience. Foreign audiences criticised Rajnikanth as a "show-off" for that.
- The production house, Sivaji Productions, was in dire straits and the producer was almost bankrupt. Banking on the success of this movie, the producer revived his fortunes. His production house is now one of the richest in the Tamil industry.
- The comedy in this movie was enjoyed by all members of the audience. With this movie, Vadivelu became the undisputed King of comedy for Tamil cinema.
[edit] Records
- This was the film which was to be sold out for a record Rs.75 Crores. even before its release now beaten by Rajinikanth's next film Sivaji: The Boss.
- This is the biggest ever South Indian Film to be released with the film releasing in more than 400 prints and in 415 screens across 32 countries.
- In this film Rajnikanth has been paid a new record of Rs. 17 Crores.
- This film received the biggest ever opening in Tamil history then grossing a jaw dropping Rs. 32 cr. in its opening week.
- This is the first ever Indian film to be in No.1 position in both Malaysia and South Africa box office.
- This film is the Highest Ever grosser in Kollywood history by grossing Rs. 110 Crores in its 700 days of running.
