Chandni

It is hard to find a really good Indian film, but this film constitutes as good, even really good. It creates a haunting feel right from the start, and the theme of 'love never ends' is carried throughout the film by this haunting feeling with the use of Chandni (the character), and music. Extremely visual images of Chandni are given to the viewer in the opening of the film as Chandni dances around in misty scenery. These continues during the film with the use of the photographs that Rohit takes and are posted up on his wall, and through the songs that Rohit (with Chandni) and Lalit sing in the second half of the film; it is rare to find this type of usage of songs in Indian films. This film is really good and highly recommended because of the way that it establishes modes and memories, and later evokes them effectively. Well done.

Whenever the current crop of actresses is asked to list their dream roles, Chandni is almost always included at or near the top of the list. And yet when one considers the possibility of the role being performed by any but Sridevi, one cannot help but feel that she is the only one who could ever play the part with as much grace, humor, elegance, and restraint. Sridevi *is* Chandni, just as Dilip Kumar is Devdas, Amitabh Bachchan is Don, and Rekha is Umrao Jaan. These performances are so completely intertwined with the actors who embody the characters that it becomes all but impossible to imagine anyone else in the part. Because of this Chandni has become a romantic archetype, one that would inspire the generation of romantic heroines who were to follow (it will be obvious to anyone who has seen Juhi Chawla in "Darr", Madhuri Dixit in "Dil To Pagal Hai", Kajol in "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" or even Preity Zinta in "Veer Zaara" that these characters are derived from the "Chandni" mold). It is interesting, therefore, to consider that in the career of a woman who has nearly always played larger-than-life characters, she achieves one of her great successes in playing an average, middle-class girl, one who is not afflicted with any of the great dilemmas that burden her other characters, like ravaging insanity (Khudah Gawah), diabolical egomania (Laadla) or matrimonial self-destruction (Judaai). Chandni is a typical Punjabi girl: carefree and fun-loving, who falls for Rohit (Rishi Kapoor), an upper class heir who defies his conservative family and marries the girl of his choice. All seems relatively pleasant until Rohit is paralyzed in a helicopter accident. This strains the relationship, and Rohit declares that his love for Chandni has died. Thus the marriage is ended, and Chandni is left to live the life of a single working class woman. Thrown for the first time into the whirlwind of economic independence, she stumbles as she tries to relieve the tragedies of her past with the responsibility of the present. Eventually she catches the fancy of her boss, Lalit (Vinod Khanna), whose advances she rejects until Rohit reenters her life. The structure of the plot is not unlike other love triangles; where Chandni was different (and magnificently so) was in the way it presented this 'every woman': childlike but wise, suffering but sexual, this was a major multi-dimensional screen creation, and Sridevi infused her with her own brand of quiet dignity, raucous silliness and pert sexuality. Yash Chopra originally offered the role to Rekha (who had played a woman named Chandni in "Silisila" nearly a decade earlier) but she did not want to go back and play a character she thought she had already done. So she recommended Sridevi for the part. If the film proved one thing it was that even in the every-woman guise, Sridevi cut a larger-than-life figure. She was not a Hema Malini or a Madhuri or even a Rekha. She inhabited the 'normal' woman in such an abnormal way that at once we knew that though she was real, she would remain untouchable. 'Chandni' is a modern day icon to film actresses, proving that one need not sacrifice novelty for the sake of normalcy. The film boasts of incredible chemistry between Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor, especially in the first twenty minutes when Rohit romances Chandni, revealing her inherent vivacity that later becomes tempered when Life interrupts her hitherto ideal love story. "Chandni" is also important in that it was during the shooting of the film that Yash Chopra also came to realize that he had at last discovered the actress who would make possible the realization of a film he had been planning to make for nearly two decades, but had shelved the film because the theme was deemed too controversial. The film was "Lamhe".

Hello all,

I am here to point out an error on Anu Kapoor who has written the story of the triangle love story "Chandni".

Chandni is a story of a girl from a small town in Delhi who falls in love with the rich boy Rohit. But though their love blossoms, obstacles comes in the form of disapproval from Rohit's parents. When things get better fate plays a different game on them. Rohit meets with an accident and is left handicapped in a wheel chair. Chandni like a dutiful lover becomes his strength and pillar. But Rohit cannot bear seeing her waste her life on him as he cannot protect her. He breaks the relationship. A broken hearted Chandni finds solace in a new city with a new job. She slowly pecks her withered life.

Another man comes into her life in the form of Lalit, his boss and well wisher. Will she be able to accept his proposal? The movie is worth a watch.

If you did not find the story interesting enough. watch it for the sheer magic of Sridevi. She will never disappoint you. She is just magic.

Now, coming to the correction. I would like to tell that Chandni and Rohit is not married so there is no question of them going for a honeymoon as mentioned in the review of Mr Anu Kapoor. What he saw was just a dream sequence in the form of a song, nothing else.

I request to pay a little more attention while watching movies especially when you are going to write a review on it. Thank you.

Chandni is probably Sridevi's most popular film and it's easy to see why. Sridevi is positively luminescent and makes you want to fall in love with her. Her co-stars Rish Kapoor and Vinod Khanna pale in comparison. The songs composed by Shiv-Hari are quite good and there's some terrific dancing by Sridevi, specially in the number "Mere Haathon Mein". The plot is a standard Bollywood love triangle but Yash Chopra manages to make it feel fresh. The second half tends to drag though. The film is very long and could have been better edited. 'Chandni' is worth watching for lovers of Hindi film romances and specially for fans of Sridevi.

Overall 710

Chandni like its name,is one of the best and greatest movies of all time. I can define Chandni in just one word,Sridevi. Chandni is one the most iconic female characters of Indian cinema and it belongs to Sridevi. You can fall in love with Sridevi after watching her beauty,innocence,charm,performance and expressions in this classic. Sridevi in white shalwar kameez surrounded with red roses can make you sleepless. Sridevi in her iconic chiffon saris defines the true and divine beauty. Yash Chopra immortalized Sridevi by casting her in and as Chandni. No doubt Sridevi is the heart and soul of the movie. Her dance and expressions in the song "Mere hathon mein" and and tandav dance are just beyond perfection. Her ability to look romantic and emotional in same scene is something exceptional. Moreover,Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor also delivered good performances but are totally overshadowed by Sridevi. The cute scenes of Sridevi and Vinod Khanna are must watch. Overall Chandni is completely a Sridevi film. Chandni makes Sridevi everyone's sweetheart. Beautiful direction by Yash Chopra and outstanding music by Shiv-Hari. Go and watch Chandni,you will also fall in love with Sridevi. A standing ovation to Sridevi for giving us Chandni and Yash Chopra and his team for creating Chandni. Chandni o meri Chandni. An all time classic and greatest.

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