Chandraharam

Chandraharam is a 1954 Telugu-Tamil bilingual swashbuckler film directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao in his debut. It was produced by Nagi Reddy-Chakrapani under the Vijaya Productions banner. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Savitri and Sriranjani Jr., with music composed by Ghantasala. The film was not commercially successful.

Plot
The film begins in the kingdom of Chandana Desam. a baby boy, Chandanraju, is born to its king by the boon of Chandra with a necklace Chandraharam which preserves his life. At the age of five, Maali Chandan's mentor starts turning him into a jack of all trades with ethical & royal moralities. Years roll by, and Chandan must get nuptial lest his life is in danger; hence, his parents procure portraits of neighboring princesses. All the while, Chandan has a dream girl and affirms to knit her. The king edicts Maali to quest for the girl and sends Chandan to tour the country. Chandan's sly brother-in-law, Dhoomekatu, wants to usurp the kingdom and ploys to break Chandan's intention and sends his sidekick, Niksheparayudu, behind him. Niksheparayudu detects the girl Gauri and tricky hides her. Besides, Chanchala is an angel who entices Chandan, which he denies. So, she snatches his Chadraharam and says he will be alive only in the night. Meanwhile, Gauri absconds and collapses when Chanchala's sister Achala aids her land at Chandan, whom Maali splices. Dhoomketu threatens the king to crown him, and as inevitable, he agrees. During this time, Niksheparayudu detects Gauri's presence at Maali's residence, whom he put out of sight in a temple. Consequently, infuriated Chanchala kills Chandan when Dhoomketu incriminates and sentences Gauri to the funeral pyre. At last, Gauri's adoration retrieves Chandan to life. Chanchala is cursed by Indra by stripping her divinity. Dhoomekatu & Niksheparayudu also plead pardon. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with the crowning ceremony of Chadanraju.

Cast

 * N.T. Rama Rao as Prince Chandan
 * Savitri as Chanchala
 * Sriranjani Jr. as Gauri
 * S. V. Ranga Rao as Mali
 * Relangi as Dhumaketu
 * R. Nageswara Rao
 * Padmanabham
 * Balakrishna
 * K. V. S. Sarma
 * Joga Rao
 * Suryakantham
 * Rushyendramani as Maridamma

Music
Music was composed by Ghantasala. Lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao. Music released on Audio Company.

Tamil songs
Lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Arud Jyothi Daivam is a Thiruvarutpa by Vallalar Ramalinga Swamigal. Playback singers are Ghantasala, N. Lalitha, K. Rani, P. Leela, M. Sathyam and A. P. Komala.

Production
The film was produced by Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani under the banner Vijaya Pictures simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. This is the directorial debut for Kamalakara Kameswara Rao. The cinematography was by Marcus Bartley. Chakrapani wrote the story while Pingali Nagendra Rao wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Telugu version.

Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Tamil version.