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Chandra Chakori
Chandra Chakori
Chandra Chakori
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Chandra Chakori
Promotional poster
Directed byS. Narayan
Screenplay byS. Narayan
Elakkian
Story byS. Narayan
Produced byH. D. Kumaraswamy
Anitha Kumaraswamy
StarringSriimurali
Priya
Naaz
Srinagara Kitty
CinematographyP. K. H. Das
Edited byP. R. Soundar Rajan
Music byS. A. Rajkumar
Production
company
Chennambika Films
Distributed byJayanna Films
Mars Distributors
Release date
  • 15 August 2003 (2003-08-15)
Running time
154 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Chandra Chakori (transl. A patridge enamored by the moon) is a 2003 Indian Kannada-language romance drama film directed by S. Narayan and produced by H. D. Kumaraswamy and Anitha Kumaraswamy under Chennambika Films. The film stars debutants Sriimurali, Priya, Naaz and Srinagara Kitty in the lead roles, while Sundar Raj, Doddanna and Ashok appear in supporting roles.[1][2]

Plot

[edit]

Sudha arrives at her village for her wedding with Mahesh, where she meets Puttaraju, a mute and kindhearted boy. Due to a prank, Sudha learns that Puttaraju was a talkative guy and is pretending to be mute. Sudha meets Puttaraju's relative Gajendrappa and learns about Puttaraju's past.

Puttaraju was in love with Sevanthi, whose father Boregowda held a condition for Puttaraju in order to marry Sevanthi. Due to unusual circumstances, Sevanthi is found dead and Boregowda was imprisoned on charges of killing Sevanthi. Puttaraju vows to never talk with anyone and pretended to be mute. After learning the past, Sudha falls in love with Puttaraju, but Puttaraju rejects her proposal.

Meanwhile, Mahesh and his mother learn about this, where they make Puttaraju and his mother to leave the village. Sudha leaves the wedding to meet Puttaraju after learning that Mahesh and his mother had sent Puttaraju away. Boregowda, who is released from prison, meets Puttaraju and reveals that Mahesh was the one who murdered Sevanthi as he lusts after Sevanthi and was jealous of Puttaraju and Sevanthi's relationship.

An enraged Puttaraju brutally thrashes Mahesh, but leaves him on request of the landlord Gowdru. Gowdru and Boregowda requests Puttaraju to marry Sudha, where a hesitant Puttaraju finally agrees and marries Sudha.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was initially planned to be simultaneously shot in Telugu.[3] The film was produced by Kumaraswamy, Narayan's friend who previously produced Surya Vamsha (1999) and Galate Aliyandru (2000).[4]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The music was composed by S. A. Rajkumar and the lyrics were written by S. Narayan.[5]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Andagaathi Kanna Thumba"S. NarayanHariharan05:10
2."Kuhu Kuhoo Kogile"S. NarayanHariharan, K. S. Chithra04:41
3."Bellam Belage"S. NarayanS. A. Rajkumar05:16
4."Jigari Dosth"S. NarayanMano, Sujatha Mohan, Manikka Vinayagam04:50
5."Aaha Jhum Taka Jhum"S. NarayanK. S. Chithra04:53
6."Kuhu Kuhoo Kogile (Pathos)"S. NarayanK. S. Chithra04:20

Release and reception

[edit]

The release of the film was delayed due to an issue between producers and distributors.[6]

A critic from indiainfo wrote that "A good film overall. Three hours of watching this film is a total paisa vasool (transl. money's worth).[7]

Box office

[edit]

The film ran for twenty-five weeks in several theatres, thereby becoming a silver jubilee film.[8][9] The success of this film and other films such as Raktha Kanneeru caused a lack of theatre screens for newer releases.[10] This film ran for a year in Prakash Theater in Belgaum.[11][12] Priya Pereira Chhabria, who made her debut with this film, later took a break from acting and opted for a career in dance.[13]

Awards

[edit]
  1. Best Third Best Film - H. D. Kumaraswamy and Anitha Kumaraswamy[15]
  2. Best Cinematographer - P. K. H. Das
  3. Best Art Direction - G. Murthy

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chandra Chakori

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Chandra Chakori is a Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed and written by . Produced by and under Chennambika Films, it stars debutants , Priya, Naaz, and in lead roles, with supporting performances by , Ashok, and . The film was released on 15 August and has a runtime of 154 minutes. The title translates to "A enamored by the ."

Synopsis

Plot

The film centers on Puttaraju, a villager in a rural setting who pretends to be mute out of profound grief following the murder of his beloved Sevanthi, which was initially blamed on her father Boregowda and led to his imprisonment. Puttaraju's pretense stems from the emotional trauma of their passionate romance, thwarted by familial opposition. Sudha enters the village to prepare for her arranged to Mahesh, a local figure, and soon encounters Puttaraju during her stay, drawn to his quiet kindness. Their interactions evolve from innocent pranks— one of which reveals that Puttaraju is pretending to be mute— and shared moments into a budding romance, as Sudha learns about his past from his relative Gajendrappa and gently coaxes him toward emotional openness. However, Puttaraju rejects her advances, haunted by memories of Sevanthi and fearing further heartbreak, which intensifies the tension amid preparations. The narrative weaves in the motif of the Chakori bird, a that yearns eternally for the , paralleling Puttaraju's unfulfilled longing. The story builds to escalating conflicts when Mahesh and his mother force Puttaraju and his mother out of the village, with Sudha following him. The truth surfaces upon Boregowda's release from , revealing that Mahesh, driven by lust and jealousy, was responsible for Sevanthi's and framed her father, shattering the village's perceptions. This leads to a fierce confrontation where Puttaraju, fueled by years of suppressed rage, thrashes Mahesh but ultimately spares him at the urging of village elder . Themes of love and loss intertwine with redemption as Puttaraju confronts his trauma head-on. In the resolution, Puttaraju stops pretending to be mute and speaks again through the of justice and newfound , allowing him to accept Sudha's devotion. At the urging of and Boregowda, the couple marries, affirming a hopeful arc of healing and renewal against the backdrop of rural traditions.

Cast

The principal cast of Chandra Chakori features debutant in the lead role of Puttaraju, a villager who pretends to be mute and serves as the central figure in the film's romance. Priya portrays the female lead Sudha, the bride whose affection develops toward Puttaraju, marking one of her notable early performances in . Srinagar Kitty plays the antagonist Mahesh, a key opposing force in the narrative. Supporting roles include Doddanna as Gajendrappa, Puttaraju's relative who shares details of his backstory. Ashok appears in a supporting capacity, contributing to the ensemble dynamics. Naaz enacts Sevanthi, Puttaraju's past love, adding emotional depth to his backstory. Sriimurali's portrayal of Puttaraju marked his debut as a lead actor in 2003, earning praise for its sincerity and helping establish his career in Kannada films.

Production

Development

The development of Chandra Chakori was spearheaded by , who served as director and also crafted the story, , and dialogues for the romance-drama. The project originated under the production banner of Chennambika Films, an independent venture established by and his wife , marking their entry into film production with a focus on regional storytelling. This family-backed initiative emphasized creative control and modest financing typical of early 2000s Kannada independent productions, allowing Narayan to introduce fresh talent without major studio interference. Initially, the film was planned as a bilingual production in and Telugu, with intentions to shoot versions simultaneously using different casts for each language, aiming to introduce Narayan to the Telugu industry. However, the project shifted to a -only release, aligning with the producers' roots in cinema and the story's cultural resonance in the region. Script refinement occurred during , incorporating Narayan's vision for a heartfelt centered on and longing, with song recordings commencing in early 2003 at Chamundeshwari Studios. Key casting decisions included selecting debutant for the male lead role, leveraging his familial ties to the industry for an authentic portrayal of youthful romance. This phase, spanning from conceptualization in 2002 to final script locks in late 2002 or early 2003, set the foundation for the film's emphasis on emotional depth over high-budget spectacle.

Filming

for Chandra Chakori commenced in mid-2002 and wrapped up in early 2003, capturing the film's rural village narrative through on-location shoots in . The production faced challenges in depicting the mute protagonist Puttaraju's emotions, relying heavily on non-verbal performances by debutant to convey the character's inner world. One key song sequence, "Kuhu Kuhu Kogile," was filmed at the scenic Venugopal Swamy Temple near the backwaters in , close to , to highlight the natural beauty of the region. Cinematography was led by P. K. H. Das, whose work focused on the authentic rural aesthetics of villages, earning him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best . Art direction by G. Murthy contributed to the film's visual authenticity, particularly in designing sets for pivotal wedding and confrontation scenes, for which he received the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Direction.

Soundtrack

Composition

The soundtrack of Chandra Chakori was composed by , a renowned in celebrated for his melodic compositions. The lyrics for all songs were penned by the film's director, , who incorporated themes of romance to align with the story's central love narrative. The album consists of six songs, designed to enhance key emotional sequences in the film, including background scores that underscore romantic and pathos-driven moments. Singer selections emphasized versatile vocalists suited to the film's rural and romantic tone; notable contributions include providing emotive female vocals and Hariharan joining her for a poignant . Recording sessions incorporated traditional folk influences through acoustic arrangements, though specific instrumentation details remain limited in available accounts. The soundtrack was well-received and became popular among audiences, contributing to the film's success.

Track listing

The soundtrack of Chandra Chakori consists of six songs composed by with lyrics by , and was released on June 1, 2003, by Anand Audio.
No.TitleSingersLengthNotes
1Bellam Belage Daari Bidu5:16Upbeat folk number picturized as a celebratory sequence involving the protagonist and supporting cast, highlighting the film's rural setting.
2Andagaathi Kanna ThumbaHariharan5:10Melodic romantic solo rendered by Hariharan, featuring the lead pair in an intimate visualization that underscores the central theme.
3Kuhu Kuhu KogileHariharan, 4:42Duet playback by Hariharan and , serving as a key romantic with choreography emphasizing the protagonists' budding romance in natural surroundings.
4Aha Jhumtaka4:53Playful duet with 's prominent vocals, picturized as a lively number tied to the female lead's expressive performance.
5Jigiri DostuMano, Manikka Vinayagam, Sujatha Mohan4:50Energetic wedding-themed track with ensemble vocals, featuring group choreography during a marriage celebration scene that advances the plot's familial dynamics.
6Kuhu Kuhu Kogile (Pathos)4:20Somber rendition by as a variation on the earlier duet, used in an emotional climax reflecting the story's tragic elements.

Release

Theatrical release

Chandra Chakori was released theatrically in on 15 August 2003, coinciding with 's Independence Day. The film received a U certification from the on 1 August 2003, indicating it was suitable for unrestricted public exhibition. Distribution was managed by the producer's banner, Chennambika Films, under the presentation of . The release took place amid a controversy between producers and exhibitors regarding issues, which resulted in limited publicity for the film. Initial screenings occurred primarily in theaters across , where the film achieved notable longevity, including a year-long run at Prakash Theater in .

Reception

Upon its release in 2003, Chandra Chakori garnered positive critical acclaim for its engaging romantic narrative and strong performances, particularly marking a promising debut for lead actor Sri Murali. Critics appreciated the film's ability to deliver emotional depth through its central romance arc, which resonated with viewers familiar with cinema's romantic traditions. A review highlighted the movie as providing full value for time invested, praising the chemistry between the leads and the overall entertainment quotient derived from heartfelt portrayals. Contemporary feedback also commended director S. Narayan's handling of the story's emotional layers, seamless integration of S. A. Rajkumar's that amplified key romantic moments, and the visually appealing that evoked a sense of rustic charm. While some observers noted the plot's twists as somewhat foreseeable within the genre's conventions, the film's strengths in character-driven storytelling overshadowed such concerns. The movie's reception contributed to its cultural footprint in , often recalled for blending tradition with accessible emotion, and retrospectively noted as a blockbuster that ran for two years. On aggregate platforms, Chandra Chakori holds a 9.5/10 rating on , derived from an enthusiastic set of 1,038 user votes as of November 2025, reflecting its enduring appeal among fans.

Performance

Box office

Chandra Chakori achieved significant commercial success, marking a breakthrough for its lead actor and establishing itself as a hit in the film industry. The film completed a 25-week theatrical run in multiple theaters, attaining status, which underscored its strong audience appeal in circuits. A notable highlight was its one-year continuous screening at Prakash Theater in , reflecting exceptional popularity in regional markets and serving as a rare benchmark for Kannada releases of the era. This extended run, along with 100-day screenings in several centers, confirmed the film's dominance in Karnataka's landscape. As an independent production, Chandra Chakori demonstrated profitability through its prolonged theatrical engagement, recovering its budget and contributing to the viability of low-to-mid-range films. Overall, reports described it as a runaway blockbuster that ran for up to two years in aggregate across re-releases.

Awards

Chandra Chakori received recognition primarily through the 2003–04 , where it was honored for its technical achievements rather than performances. The awards were announced on , 2005, and presented during a ceremony on July 16, 2005, at Ambedkar Bhavan in Bangalore. The film secured the Third Best Film award, presented to producers and under Chennambika Films. Additionally, director won the Third Best Director award for his work on the film. In the technical categories, cinematographer P. K. H. Das was awarded Best Cinematographer for his evocative visuals capturing the rural landscapes, while G. Murthy received the Best Art Direction award for the film's authentic set designs. These accolades highlighted the film's strong production values, contributing to its critical appreciation in . The success of Chandra Chakori marked a significant boost to lead actor Sriimurali's rising stardom, as he later reflected on the film running for nearly two years in theaters and establishing his early career momentum. No major national awards, such as South, were conferred upon the film or its cast.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30146825/
  2. https://chiloka.com/movie/chandra-chakori-2003
  3. https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/movies/chandra-chakori.html
  4. https://starsunfolded.com/srimurali/
  5. https://chiloka.com/celebrity/srinagar-kitty/filmography
  6. https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/movies/chandra-chakori/cast-crew.html
  7. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/its-been-a-wild-journey-lessons-learned-and-more-to-grasp-sriimurali/articleshow/121693270.cms
  8. http://www.viggy.com/english/current_chandrachakori.asp
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSLLfY1Uhpw
  10. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/p-k-h-das/IEIN042080
  11. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/chigurida-kanasu-bags-4-awards/articleshow/978068.cms
  12. https://open.spotify.com/album/7oaQCpuSJs2hs8SAANbQkj
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIibbkFnXKI
  14. https://gaana.com/album/chandra-chakori-kannada
  15. https://www.jiosaavn.com/song/bellam-belage/GRhfcz1BT3g
  16. https://music.apple.com/in/song/bellam-belage/1812417191
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sfX3SWtu6A
  18. https://music.apple.com/in/album/chandra-chakori-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1812417170
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QObGpibpFl8
  20. https://gaana.com/song/kuhu-kuhu-kogile-4
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lhp1TQ7Z7U
  22. https://gaana.com/song/jigiri-dostu-1
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUd5y5_aNeo
  24. https://www.jiosaavn.com/song/kuhu-kuhu-kogile-pathos/NjlachJfbX8
  25. https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/chandra-chakori-2003/
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l8E8Uvsn5s
  27. http://www.viggy.com/english/current_chandrachakori_43weeks.asp
  28. https://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/mar/07gopi.htm
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30146825/reviews/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30146825/ratings/
  31. http://www.viggy.com/english/current_2003_review.asp
  32. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/my-career-taught-me-a-lot-sriimurali-814622.html
  33. http://www.viggy.com/english/current_state_award03_04.asp
  34. http://www.viggy.com/english/current_state_award_2004_distribution.asp
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