It is Split Personalities & Multiple Personalities pouring in Tamil Cinema today. But the concept of such personality disorders have already been talked about in a few most popular television serials like Vidaathu Karuppu much long ago.
Unlike Baba which greatly disappointed not only the Rajni fans but also every Gollywud filmy, after the previous mammoth rap of Rajni + Ramya Krishnan in Padaiyappa, Chandramukhi has turned out to be a tremendous combined success of Rajni + Jyothika, at this most longed-for juncture! Thank God, Rajni is back with a Bang & still has a future in Gollywood !!
Chandramukhi – The Story
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Prabhu and Jyothika are married and they acquire a very old palace which is believed to be containing the soul of a dancer called ‘Chandramukhi’ which hangs about in the palace together with a gargantuan Snake Cobra in order to take revenge against a King who had killed Chandramukhi’s Lover (who was also a dancer) right in front of her eyes and had burnt her as she was not in favor of the King’s idea to be his Mistress.
After Prabhu and Jyothika move into the Palace with Prabhu’s relatives, they come across very strange and unpredictable incidents and Prabhu’s close friend Rajnikanth, a world famous Psychiatrist from US, comes to their rescue. The US return doctor succeeds in identifying the real culprit behind these bizarre` and ultimately turns successful in curing Jyothika, who’s been found to be suffering from a Split Personality disorder.
Our Superstar
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• No Punch Dialogues
• No Superstar’s Styles
• No Politics
Still Chandramukhi shines as a Superstar’s movie.
To the contentment of the fanatical Rajni Groupies, P. Vasu has included the “Devuda Devuda …..” Song which resembles the typical Rajni’s kind of introductory songs. The special highlights “Sabhashe!”, “RRRRRRRRepeat !!” in between the Devuda song makes it very fascinating and in the beginning itself, the spectators are guaranteed to see an energetic and youthful Rajni unlike ‘Baba’.
Rajni has seriously concentrated on his make-up and costumes at least this time which is a great relief !
Comedy
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Rajni Films are usually popular for their guaranteed comedy and thank God, Chandramukhi equally contains finest comedy scenes. Rajni and Vadivelu coerce even the gloomy chaps to laugh aloud.
Scenes where :
• Vadivelu smolders by his beautiful wife Sorna’s intimate behaviour with Rajni with a sisterly affection,
• The first time when Vadivelu takes Rajni to the Old Palace which is believed to hold Chandramukhi’s Soul,
• The midnight time when both Vadivelu and Rajni don’t get sleep due to their fear of the banshee
are real comedy scenes which gets great applause from us !!
The Pillars :
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Rajni as Dr. Saravanan – He prospers exceptionally in comedy and, as a Psychiatrist done his part very well. The serious idea of the Director in showing Rajni as a very efficient mind reader even without looking at the concerned persons has fortunately or unfortunately turned out intensely comical. Rajni appears in modern outfits almost throughout the movie and especially in the songs, he proves to the audience that his same old charm is still there with him !
Jyothika Err… sorry, Ganga, Hats Off to you ! You would indeed be required to thank Simran for having given you such a great opportunity. Jyothika looks beautiful with attractive costumes and striking make-up. Influenced by a split personality, Jyothika really really by God threatens us as Chandramukhi. Her wonderful face expressions while forcing Nayanthaara to get the keys for the South side room and the “Laka Laka Laka Laka” are a damn break for her in Gollywood. An outstanding performance !
Mallu Actor Vineeth’s climax song sequence with Jyothika is excellent and a must-see!!
Nayanthaara, the Mallu Beauty Queen straight from Kerala has been utilized only as a Beauty Queen. She performed much better with Sharath in Aiyya. Unfortunately Rajni locks her up in a room in one scene and after that, she appears only towards the climax scenes. But undeniably she looks great in “Konja Neram ……” Song, otherwise not even her make-up has been adequately taken care of! Her sudden stammering only before the song “Athindhom …” is a bit unacceptable !! A pitiable (so called) heroine.
Prabhu is yet another, waaat to say, a very pitiable character. He has not absolutely been given any chance to act. Though he is present in most of the scenes, he has nothing to do but to stand with the crowd.
You find a big bunch containing of popular actors like Naazar, Vijaykumar, Avinash, Maalavika and Sorna – Unfortunately all these people are just for filling up the spaces, none of them have been really utilized.
Music
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Music Director Vidyasagar has given greatly mesmerizing songs……. The first to mention is the melodious music of “Konja Neram Konja Neram …….” which leaves us humming and humming... My God, I still can't forget the stunning costumes of Rajni and Nayanthaara in this melodic love song and the beautiful picturisation !!
“Athindhom thinduyum …” is yet another profoundly melodious rhythmic as well as meaningful song that continues to ring in our ears …. The lyrics are greatly appealing too!
“Kokku Para Para ……” is peppy and Gosh, I really love it !
“Devuda Devuda …..” is the usual Rajni kind of song and shines greatly with the melting voice of SPB.
“Raa Raa Sarasukku Raa Raa……” is a very pleasing classical Telugu song.
A few general thoughts :
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Pros
•Jyothika and her Character
•Rajni’s youthful looks
•Screenplay is pretty fast and there are not much of dragging scenes
•Story
•Cinematography
•The Great Thrill
•RaaRaa Climax & RaaRaa Choreography
Cons
• No Rajni Styles & his customary punch dialogues
• Too much of Rajni’s teasing Nayanthaara which only irritates us after a certain extent
• How just imagination of another character would educate Ganga (Jyothika) with Telugu – honestly speaking, her speaking fluent Telugu while acting as Chandramukhi is highly unacceptable
On the whole, how could Chadramukhi not be a Charming-Mukhi with massive pillars like Rajni + Jyothika……… do watch it if not for anything else, at least for the great thrilling Climax!!
