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Chandni (1989) More at IMDbPro »
7 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
Chandni: Birth of the Modern Romantic Archetype, 6 November 2005
Author: akbarnali from United States
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".
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Terrific Sridevi in standard Bollywood love triangle, 28 February 2009
Author: long-ford from India
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
2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Haunting memories, 28 March 2005
Author: Sweta from Ontario, Canada
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.
3 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Love never ends, 28 September 1999
Author: Anu kapoor (tandon@tandon.screaming.net) from London, england
Chandni is a good film because it has drama and comedy. Sridevi puts her magic on screen again,as for Rishi Kapoor he plays the charming hero, Vinod Khanna doesn't play his role as a "Teenage Heart-throb" and not as a "Ladies Man" but just a guy who gets in love but his acting still has affect as he used to.
The film is about a girl and a boy meeting for the first time in their lives and it's love at first sight and those two want a happy life together but Rohit's parents hate Chandni and don't wish for her to be part of their family but Chandni's parents are happy for her later on they go on their honeymoon is Switzerland and so have the time of thier lives. they come back and Rohit has an helicopter accident after showing his love and soon goes home in a wheelchair and soon after he backs her off and chandni is heartbroken and then the Intermission proceeds.
Chandni decides to move away to her friend,Kiran. after she settles down she decides to get a job and gets a job in a travel agency and her boss turns out to be Vinod Khanna(Lalit Khanna)and one day they both have a fight after he tells her to take his position and take his clients for dinner and politely says that's not her job and so he raws away with a lecture. when she gets home there's a Raid on her place and so her friend Kiran and her husband go out and manage to bump into Lalit and it's pouring and he invites them to his house and after everybody makes themselves comfortable in his home he explains to Chandni why he's feeling down because of rain and so Confides in her and tells her about his love who had died after being ill. next day they apologize for their fight and the day after that he announces he'll be away for a few days in Switzerland and so is Rohit because he wants to get better and wants to win Chandni back. The two become friends and explain to each other about the girls they love and don't know they have their sights on one girl. Lalit says to Chandni he loves her and he asks her to marry him but will she say yes? after that Rohit asks do they want to get back together again what does she say? will she go for her boss or Rohit? she's in love with two guys, what's a girl to do?
Sridevi is the only reason to watch this film, 6 July 2009
Author: peter_young from Australia
Not much to say about this film. It is quite frankly one of Yash Chopra's weakest films in terms of script. I mean, it's too simple and typical: a girl loves a guy, then he has an accident and becomes invalid, he doesn't want her anymore because he thinks she is too good for him, she leaves, she meets another guy who falls for her. Before they marry, the second guy meets the first guy, who, meanwhile all of a sudden is no longer invalid, and as expected they become friends. Well, the dialogues are quite cheap ("Oh my love for her made me a normal person again").
But the film has good points too. It flows well, the music is beautiful and the film is well-located. Sridevi was the main highlight of the film with her natural acting, trademark saris and well danced song numbers.
The film is quite a classic today. And I do understand why. This clearly wasn't because the film was exceptionally good, but the fact that it brought a huge welcome change to commercial Hindi cinema after several years of mindless and violent action films. The film re-introduced romantic musical films, which are endearing and visually beautiful, and were somehow lost and assimilated in the 1980s. It's great that the one who reintroduced them is Yash Chopra, the one who actually makes them best.
Chandni Meri Chandni, 26 June 2009
Author: ibuk from United Kingdom
The 80's was by far the worst decade for Yash Chopra, none of his movies did well(Mashaal,Vijay,Faasle even Silsila flopped on release and made money through reruns). Then suddenly in 89 came Chandni and became a massive blockbuster and resurrected Yash Chopra's career. The plot follows Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi who meet and fall in love much to his parents disapproval and get married. Everything is going well until Rishi Kapoor severely injures himself and becomes disabled. Worried of becoming a burden on his wife he divorces her. Heartbroken Sridevi starts a new life and then Vinod Khanna comes into her life who immediately takes a shine to her. They eventually decide to get married. Before they get married Vinod Khanna bumps into Rishi Kapoor(who is now fully recovered)and they become friends. Naturally Rishi Kapoor finds out who his friend is marrying. Who will Sridevi choose,Vinod Khanna or Rishi Kapoor?(I am not telling, watch movie to find out). The real attraction is not the cast nor is in the storyline but is the magnificent songs. Mere Haaton Mein Nau Nau became an instant chartbuster and is a favourite at weddings. My personal favourite is Laagi Aaj Sawan(sung by Suresh Wadkar). Chandni reminds me of a more simpler time where movies with real soul and great music ruled the box office and when I look at the stuff Bollywood is mass producing these days it makes me so sad.
Sridevi makes it a blockbuster, 19 September 2008
Author: ThugAngel1984 from United Kingdom
Story in the nutshell: -
Rohit and Chandni, meet each other, during a wedding in Delhi. Rohit is moved by the charm of this elegant lady and falls in love with her. Soon, their families come to know and both of them are engaged. After engagement, Rohit meet with an accident while showering flowers on Chandni from a helicopter. As a result, Rohit is paralysed for life. Now, the mother and sister of Rohit, targets Chandni and held her responsible for the accident. Chandni tolerates all the insult inflicted upon her. But Rohit won't take it and one fine day he asks Chandni to leave and humiliates her. Chandni, heart-broken, leaves Delhi and moves to Bombay, hunting for a job. As it is destined, she comes in contact with Lalit, who is a widower. Lalit starts liking her and finally they are engaged, with the consent of their parents. Meanwhile, Rohit goes to Switzerland where he's attended by a team of doctors, as a result of which, he gets rid of paralyses. Just few days before Chandni and Lalit's wedding, Rohit come into the scene. What will happen now? If Chandni has to make a choice whom she'll choose, are the few questions that you have to find! So watch out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Performances: - Sri Devi: - Sri Devi is the soul of the movie. She never looked as beautiful as in Chandni. She doesn't play the character but live it. She looks amazing in her white "salwar kameez". As everyone knows she excels in all spheres of acting, may it be romance, comedy, emotional scene, she does them all brilliantly. And this movie showcases her talent in this field. She looks vulnerable throughout but latter half presents her as a lady of substance. Her dance steps are again beautiful and her classical dance leaves u half-dead.
If I think of Chandni, then the only face that comes in my mind is that of SRI DEVI. She's the 'hero' of this movie.
Direction: - What to say about the show-man, Yash Chopra. He presents simple things in such a way that they no more appear simple. He's always entitled as the leader than the follower. And with his CHANDNI, he started the era of romance. CHANDNI, is not the movie of any actor nut the director. He knows to get best out of artists. He challenges, his skills and challenges the artists.
Direct from my heart: - This is not just an ordinary movie, it's the collection of emotions in solitude. Beautiful movie with supers locales. A movie that will cherish you for life. Just watch and let the feelings pour.
Beautiful, 28 June 2008
Author: shivakumarvishwa from India
The movie is beautiful and well created and madde.The cinematography is beautiful.Swizterland is shoot beautifully.The chereography is excellent.The chemistry is beautuful.The title is wonderful.The movie does not drag at all.The music is beautiful.The singers do a fine job.Lyrics are wonderful.Picturisations are colourful.Sridevi is fantastic.Rishi is great.Vinod did goo.Waheeda did well.Sushma supporeted well.Mita did good.Beena did good.Anupham was good in his role.The weakness in this movie has to be the story.Same old story of a love triangle.Sometimes bollywood will make same old stories for excuse.The story gets 0/10.One last thing Juhi acted good in her cameo which lasted only for 5-7 minutes.Anyway the movie is a pure entertainer
0 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
A correction, 18 February 2005
Author: bobbybabu from India
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.
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