Chandanamarangal: A Malayalam Drama Film
Chandanamarangal is a 2001 Malayalam drama film directed by Anand Krishna and written by Sethulekshmi. The film stars Madhupal, Sajini, Kannur Sreelatha and Narayanankutty in the lead roles. The film explores the lives and struggles of four characters who are connected by a common thread of fate.
Plot
The film begins with a flashback of Shesha Iyer (Madhupal), a Brahmin priest who lives with his wife (Kannur Sreelatha) and daughter in a village. He is respected by everyone for his knowledge and devotion. One day, he is invited to perform a ritual at the house of a rich landlord, who has a young and beautiful wife named Chandana (Sajini). Shesha Iyer is mesmerized by Chandana's beauty and falls in love with her. He starts visiting her frequently and they begin an affair. Chandana becomes pregnant with Shesha Iyer's child and decides to elope with him. However, they are caught by the landlord and his men, who beat up Shesha Iyer and kill Chandana. Shesha Iyer is left alive but mentally scarred.
The film then shifts to the present day, where Shesha Iyer is now an old and homeless man who wanders around the city. He meets a young boy named Ravi (Narayanankutty), who is an orphan and a petty thief. Ravi takes pity on Shesha Iyer and offers him food and shelter. They develop a bond of friendship and Ravi starts calling him Appa (father). Ravi also introduces Shesha Iyer to his girlfriend, Priya (Suneer), who works as a dancer in a bar. Priya is kind and compassionate towards Shesha Iyer and treats him like a father figure.
One day, Ravi steals a necklace from a rich man's house and sells it to a pawnbroker. However, he is chased by the police and gets injured in an accident. He manages to reach Priya's house, where he gives her the money and asks her to take care of Shesha Iyer. He then dies in her arms. Priya is devastated by Ravi's death and decides to leave the city with Shesha Iyer. She buys two tickets for a train to Kerala, where she hopes to start a new life with him.
On the way to the railway station, they encounter a group of thugs who try to molest Priya. Shesha Iyer tries to protect her but is overpowered by them. He then sees a vision of Chandana, who tells him to fight back. He suddenly regains his strength and courage and attacks the thugs with a knife. He kills them all but also gets fatally wounded in the process. He dies in Priya's arms, saying that he has finally found peace with Chandana.
Cast
Reviews
Chandanamarangal received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some praised the film for its realistic portrayal of human emotions and relationships, while others criticized it for its slow pace and melodramatic plot. The film was also noted for its bold depiction of adultery and violence, which was uncommon in Malayalam cinema at that time.
The film was not a commercial success at the box office, but it gained cult status among some viewers over the years. The film was also screened at some international film festivals, where it received appreciation from foreign critics and audiences.
Trivia
- The film was based on a short story by Sethulekshmi, who also wrote the screenplay and dialogues for the film.
- The film was the directorial debut of Anand Krishna, who had previously worked as an assistant director and editor in Malayalam cinema.
- The film was shot in various locations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, including Kochi, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Coimbatore and Ooty.
- The film's music was composed by SP Boopathy, who also sang one of the songs in the film.
- The film's title means "sandalwood trees" in Malayalam, which is a reference to Chandana's name and her fragrance.
References
Chandanamarangal (2001) - IMDb
Chandanamarangal (2001) Malayalam Movie - Title Credits Video - YouTube
ചന്ദനമരങ്ങൾ - Chandanamarangal M3DB
Chandanamarangal (2001) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
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