Chembaruthi (transl. Hibiscus) is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language teen romantic drama film written and directed by R. K. Selvamani and produced by Kovaithambi. The film stars Prashanth and Roja (in her Tamil debut), while Mansoor Ali Khan, Nassar, Radha Ravi, and Bhanumathi play supporting roles. It was partially re-shot in Telugu as Chamanti with Satyanarayana replacing M. N. Nambiar.[2] The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, while editing was done by V. Udhayashankar and cinematography by Ravi Yadav. The film released on 17 April 1992 and was a major box office success.[3] It was remade in Bengali Bangladesh as Ontore Ontore, in Hindi as Aao Pyaar Karen (1994).[4]
| Chembaruthi | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | R. K. Selvamani |
| Written by | R. K. Selvamani John Amirtharaj (dialogues) |
| Produced by | Kovaithambi |
| Starring | Prashanth Roja |
| Cinematography | Ravi Yadav |
| Edited by | V. Udhayashankar |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Motherland Movies |
| Distributed by | Balakrishna Pictures[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 146 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editRaja is the grandson of a rich businesswoman and is settled in London. He comes to a village in India to see his grandmother. Chembaruthi is the sister of a poor fisherman Pandi, who works in Raja's grandmother's house. The couple first sees each other during Raja's birthday party, and it is love at first sight for Raja. They meet often, and their love grows by leaps and bounds. Raja's grandmother wants him to marry Pinky, the daughter of a rich seafood exporter named Murugan. At the party, they announce Raja's interest in Pinky. Raja realises that his relationship with the daughter of a poor fisherman is not taken kindly by his eccentric grandmother, and when she discovers Raja's love for Chembaruthi, she accuses Pandi of using his sister's beauty and charm to trap Raja for his money. She even offers Pandi cash to have Chembaruthi stop seeing Raja. Pandi feels very humiliated by this accusation and reciprocates by insulting Raja's grandmother. Their conversation enters a deadlock, spelling doom for Raja and Chembaruthi's tender love.
Raja's grandmother then engages him to be married to Pinky in order to establish business ties with her rich father. Murugan also has his sister betrothed to a fisherman named Kumar, but Raja and Chembaruthi run away from home. Raja's grandmother announces a reward for anyone who can help find her grandson. Murugan decides that he wants the money. He and his goons find the lovers, abduct them, and lock them up in a boat. Raja fights for Chembaruthi and saves her from drowning in the sea. Raja's grandmother then realises that their love is very strong, and she does not want to stand in the way of their happiness. She and Pandi accept their love and give their blessings to the union.
Cast
edit- Prashanth as Raja Rathnam
- Roja as Chembaruthi (Voice over by Rohini)
- Bhanumathi as Raja's grandmother
- Nassar as Murugan
- Radha Ravi as Pandi
- Vaasavi as Malathi
- Mansoor Ali Khan as Kumar
- M. N. Nambiar as Raja Rathnam, Raja's grandfather
- Satyanarayana as Raja's grandfather (Telugu version)
- Vaishnavi
- Hemalatha
- Anitha
- Adeen Khan as Pinky
- John
- S. Rajasekar as Raja's father
Production
editAfter the success of Captain Prabhakaran (1991), director R. K. Selvamani decided to make a film completely with newcomers which became Chembaruthi. He initially cast debutants such as Raman Kapoor from Mumbai, Suchithra Krishnamurthy and Gayathri (of Aranmanai Kili) in lead roles; however after shooting half of the film, he was unimpressed and scrapped it. Selvamani eventually cast Prashanth and Roja in the lead roles.[5] During the production of Urudhi Mozhi, its producer Ravi Yadav approached Saravanan Sivakumar, later known as Suriya, to portray the lead role in Chembaruthi; however Saravanan's father Sivakumar refused the offer.[6]
Soundtrack
editThe music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.[7] He completed the soundtrack within 40 minutes.[8] The song "Chalakku Chalakku" is set to the raga Chakravakam, "Chembaruthi Poovu" is set to Kapi,[9] "Kadalila Ezhumbura Alaigala" is set to Sindhu Bhairavi,[10] "Nadandhal" is set to Keeravani,[11] and "Nila Kayum" is set to Sankarabharanam.[12]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chembaruthi Poovu" | Vaali | K. S. Chithra, Mano, Bhanumathi | 4:52 |
| 2. | "Chalakku Chalakku" | Vaali | S. Janaki, Mano | 4:54 |
| 3. | "Ada Vanjiram" | Piraisoodan | Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus | 1:12 |
| 4. | "Pattu Poove" | Muthulingam | S. Janaki, Mano | 5:06 |
| 5. | "Nadandhal" | Piraisoodan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:04 |
| 6. | "Nila Kayum" | Vaali | S. Janaki, Mano | 4:49 |
| 7. | "Kadalile Ezhumbura Alaigala" | Vaali | Ilaiyaraaja | 5:01 |
| 8. | "Kadile Thanimaiyile" | Piraisoodan | Nagore E. M. Hanifa, Mano | 5:06 |
| Total length: | 36:04 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chamanthi Pushpa" | Veturi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 5:55 |
| 2. | "Ide Rajayogam" | Rajasri | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 5:13 |
| 3. | "Chakkani Chikkani Chilaka" | Rajasri | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 5:00 |
| 4. | "Paala Ponge" | Rajasri | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 5:16 |
| 5. | "Kadale Neeku Thalli Thandri" | Rajasri | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | 5:11 |
| 6. | "Neekatha Needile" | Veturi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:14 |
| 7. | "Kadali Meeda Ontariga" | Rajasri | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, T. Srinivas | 5:16 |
| 8. | "Vanjaram – Bit" | Rajasri | Malaysia Vasudevan | 1:14 |
| Total length: | 38:23 | |||
Reception
editThe Indian Express wrote the film is "akin to formula Hindi film" and praised the performances, music and cinematography.[14] Supraja Sridharan of Kalki praised the director for conveying tender romantic feelings in an entertaining manner on the big screen while also praising the cinematography, editing and music.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Chembarutti". The Indian Express. 24 April 1992. p. 4. Retrieved 18 April 2024 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ Chamanthi | Telugu Full Movie | Prasanth | Roja | Vasavi | V9 Videos (in Telugu). v9 Videos. 14 November 2016. Event occurs at 9:44 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Prasanth". Sify. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ^ Arunachalam, Param. BollySwar: 1991–2000. Mavrix Infotech. p. 439. ISBN 9788193848210.
- ^ "செல்வமணி டைரக்ட் செய்த 'செம்பருத்தி'யில் ரோஜா அறிமுகம்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 7 September 2013. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "திக்... திக்... நிமிடங்கள்!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). 2 October 2005. pp. 20–23. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Chembaruthi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 1 January 1992. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Kamath, Sudhish (3 September 2012). "The MAESTro's MAGIC continues". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
- ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 126.
- ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 134.
- ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 145.
- ^ Sundararaman 2007, p. 148.
- ^ "Chamanthi". Spotify. August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "Chembarathi". The Indian Express. 1 May 1992. p. 7. Retrieved 8 January 2019 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ ஸ்ரீதரன், சுப்ரஜா (24 May 1992). "செம்பருத்தி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 46. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023 – via Internet Archive.
Bibliography
editExternal links
edit- Chembaruthi at IMDb