Chandralekha (1995 film)

Chandralekha is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film, directed by Nambirajan. Starring Vijay and Vanitha Vijayakumar in her debut, 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, during Diwali, and performed poorly at the box office, even though the songs were a hit.

Plot
Chandralekha, an orthodox Brahmin girl, had led a sheltered life within the confines of her community. Rahim, on the other hand, was a free-spirited and Muslim boy. Their paths crossed one fateful day when they both happened to visit a local bookstore, drawn to the power of literature. They struck up a conversation, sharing their thoughts and dreams, and a deep connection began to form between them.

Unknown to Chandralekha and Rahim, Salima, a childhood friend of Rahim, had harbored strong feelings for him since they were young. Salima had always envisioned a future with Rahim and was devastated to discover his growing affection for Chandralekha. Consumed by jealousy and unable to accept his choice, she confided in her older brother, Jamal, seeking his help to secure Rahim's love for herself.

Meanwhile, Mustafa, Rahim's elder brother, and Jamal devise a plan to engage Salima and Rahim without Rahim's consent. Believing that Rahim would eventually come around and accept the arrangement, they thought it was the best way to preserve family honor and keep the social fabric intact. They failed to realize the depth of Rahim and Chandralekha's love for each other.

As their families discovered the blossoming relationship between Rahim and Chandralekha, they vehemently opposed it. Bound by the traditions and religious beliefs of their respective communities, they refused to accept a union that crossed societal boundaries. Faced with strong resistance and familial pressure, Rahim and Chandralekha decided to escape the clutches of their families and seek a life of freedom and love.

Their plan to elope took them deep into the forests, hoping to find solace and refuge in the wilderness. However, their dreams of a peaceful existence were shattered when they encountered a group of militants operating in the area. The militants captured them, intending to use their predicament as leverage against their families.

Back in the village, Salima's heartbreak over Rahim's choice drove her to the brink of madness. The pain of losing the man she had loved all her life, coupled with the betrayal she felt from her brother's involvement in the scheme, pushed her fragile mind to the edge of sanity.

In a dramatic turn of events, the police were tipped off about the militants' presence in the forest. They launched a rescue operation to save Rahim and Chandralekha from their captors, ensuring their safe return to the village. The encounter with danger and the subsequent rescue left Rahim and Chandralekha with a renewed appreciation for life and the strength of their bond.

During this time, Mustafa underwent a profound transformation. Witnessing the lengths to which Rahim and Chandralekha had gone for their love, he realized the injustice and heartache that had been inflicted upon them. With a change of heart, he approached both families, urging them to accept the union and put an end to the cycle of pain and suffering.

However, Jamal's anguish over his sister's deteriorating mental state proved too much for him to bear. Overwhelmed by his despair, he sought retribution for what he saw as the cause of Salima's suffering. In a fit of rage and madness, Jamal confronted Rahim and Chandralekha at the railway station, where they had sought refuge, and tragically ended their lives.

Witnessing this horrific act, the policemen who were present immediately reacted and shot Jamal, putting an end to the violence. The village was left in shock and grief, unable to comprehend the series of tragic events that had unfolded before them.

In the final moments of her life, Chandralekha made a heartfelt wish that her and Rahim's bodies be buried together a testament to their eternal love and the bond they shared. The villagers, moved by the intensity of their love story, granted her final request, laying them to rest side by side, forever united in death.

The tragedy that unfolded within the village left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its inhabitants. It served as a stark reminder of the consequences of intolerance, the power of love, and the importance of understanding and acceptance across cultural and religious divides. The memory of Chandralekha and Rahim's love story will forever be etched in the village's collective consciousness, inspiring future generations to strive for a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Production
The film was shot in Delhi, Agra, Kulu Manali, and Talakonam.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Reception
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. 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".