Chandralekha - 1948

Produced by Gemini studios Chandralekha, released in the year 1948, is the most expensive Indian film of its time. The film was originally made in Tamil language and was released in 609 screens worldwide with subtitles. Directed by S.S. Vasan, the film features M.K. Radha, Ranjan, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Madhuram in lead roles.

It took five years to finish the production works of this film. Circus was used extensively in the film which later became popular all over India as Gemini circus. The drum dance and sword fight sequence are some of the unforgettable scenes from the film. The sword fight sequence in the film is considered as the longest in Indian film.

S.S. Vasan termed the movie a “pageant of peasants.” The film’s heroine T.R. Rajakumari came to known as Dream Girl of Indian cinema after this film.