Chandni (1989) User Reviews

A tribute to Yash Chopra, the Kind of Romance

[jmathur_swayamprabha · 8/10 · 21 October 2012]

Yash Chopra passed away. The 80 years old movie-making maestro whose last directorial venture - Jab Tak Hai Jaan is going to hit the screen shortly, has left for his heavenly abode without seeing its release and public response. As my tribute to the great director who is better known as the King of Romance in the Indian cine-circles, I am reviewing a superhit movie directed by him. It's Chaandni (1989).

Chaandni is the story of a jovial but down-to-earth girl who respects the elders and believes in the Indian social and family values. She is as the title is - Chaandni (Sridevi) who is a simple middle class girl living in Delhi and happens to come across a rich boy, Rohit (Rishi Kapoor). Love blossoms between them and despite his family members looking upon Chaandni in a derogatory way, Rohit decides to unite with her. However destiny has other plans. Rohit meets with an accident and thereafter life is not the same either for himself or for the love of his life, i.e., Chaandni. Adjusting with the completely negative attitude of Rohit's family members on one hand and now handicapped Rohit's depressive mindset on the other, one day Chaandni gets fed up and gets out of Rohit's life as well as the city.

Now in a different city, Chaandni happens to get a job in a company whose boss Lalit (Vinod Khanna) is a widower. Lalit falls for Chaandni's charms and his mother (Waheeda Rehman) is also too happy to see this simple, heart-conquering girl as her would-be daughter-in-law. The thing that they are not aware of is that Chaandni's heart is not hers now. It's Rohit's. And a typical Indian girl cannot love again so easily and so soon. The memories of the first love are still fresh and she lives with them. However she gets ready to marry Lalit as a compromise with her life and not out of love for him. Here comes another twist in this love-triangle.

Rohit's friend-cum-relative Ramesh (Anupam Kher) elevates his spirits and propels him to come out of his depressive shell. Once Rohit starts seeing the status of the things in a different way, he gets ready for his proper medical treatment and after fully recovering, to search his lost love, i.e., Chaandni. While being abroad for different reasons, Lalit and Rohit cross paths and become good friends. Now both have a sweetheart individually but don't know that it's the same girl. Rohit comes to attend the engagement ceremony of Lalit and stunned to find that Lalit's betrothed is Chaandni only. And Chaandni ? She is at a crossroad now. Whom to choose ? But destiny and heart work in tandem and allow the story to conclude in the desired way.

Yash Chopra possessed the rare knack of portraying male-female romance on the screen in the most realistic manner. We know that real life is quite different from reel life. However Yash Chopra was always able to make the audience believe that what's on the reel was close to the real. While watching the movie, we love the lovers, we love their inner feelings and external romance and we love their union in the end. At the same time, we are also sympathetic towards the loser in love because the King of Romance has made us rely his sentiments and feel his grief and we wish that he gets another girl to apply the ointment of her true love on his wounds and heal them in due course of time.

With technical superiority and high production value on one hand, the movie scores very high on the music front on the other. Yash Ji availed the services of music maestros - Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, the eminent Santoor player and Pandit Hari Prasaad Chaurasiya, the virtuoso flautist who made perhaps the best music album of their career as cine-music directors. The movie contains nine songs and all boasts of superior quality. Chaandni O Meri Chaandni, Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyaan and Main Sasuraal Nahin Jaaungi became chartbusters overnight. However the relatively less talked about songs viz. Tere Mere Hothon Pe Meethe Meethe Geet Mitwa, Tere Kadmon Mein Saara Jahaan Rakh Doon and Parbat Se Kaali Ghata Takraai are also highly melodious and ear-soothing. Male songs viz. Sheheron Mein Ek Sheher Mila Bhai Sheher Mila Tha Dilly and Tu Mujhe Suna Main Tujhe Sunaaun Apni Prem Kahaani are quite hilarious. My most favourite song from this album is Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki Phir Woh Jhadi Hai which has been sung by Suresh Waadkar (with Anupama Deshpande). Whenever I listen to this song while being alone, my tears refuse to stay in my eyes. The beautiful lyrics of this album have been penned by ace-lyricist Anand Bakshi.

Rishi Kapoor was always at his best when he had to romance. None could beat him in romancing with lovely ladies on the screen. Even after 16 years from Bobby (1973), the romantic skills of Rishi Kapoor are the same as visible in Chaandni. I regard Vinod Khanna as one of the best actors of his time and he has delivered a mature performance in his low-footage role. The supporting cast has also done well.

But Chaandni is Sridevi's movie by all means. Right from the title, the complete story belongs to her and her only and she is at the zenith of her career in this movie. Yash Ji brought the best out of this natural actress whose charms have always been able to knock out the males. She appears so gorgeous that it's difficult for any young male not to fall in love with her.

Chaandni is a heart-conquering love story with immense repeat value. Watch it again and again and you will never feel tired of watching it. It's an immortal romantic love story presented by the King of Romance in Hindi cinema, Yash Chopra. May his soul rest in peace.

Haunting memories

[Sweta_B · 7/10 · 28 March 2005]

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.

Chandni Meri Chandni

[Ibuk · 7/10 · 26 June 2009]

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.

Chandni: Birth of the Modern Romantic Archetype

[akbarnali · 10/10 · 6 November 2005]

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".

I Fall in love with Sridevi after watching Chandni.❤❤❤

[faribhai-46006 · 10/10 · 22 April 2020]

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.

❤❤❤

Sridevi is the only reason to watch this film

[Peter_Young · 5/10 · 6 July 2009]

Despite the great success of this film, Chandni is quite frankly one of Yash Chopra's weakest films in terms of script. I mean, it's too typical to be convincing: 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 all of a sudden is no longer invalid, and as expected they become friends. That's when we get a very typical love triangle and some annoyingly melodramatic proceedings, more tears than real emotion. The climax and the ending are predictable to the core, and in many instances throughout the film the dialogues are quite cheap ("Oh my love for her made me a normal person again").

But the film is not that bad after all and has good points too. It flows well, the music is beautiful and the film is well-located. Sridevi is the main highlight of the film with her natural acting, trademark saris and well danced song numbers. One particular instrumental dance number to which she dances in the fields is astonishing, and she looks so smashing hot! The film is considered to be a classic today, and I do understand why. This clearly is not because the film is 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 musicals which were 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.

Terrific Sridevi in standard Bollywood love triangle

[long-ford · 28 February 2009]

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

A Sridevi classic at the peak of her career.

[dbhattac · 9/10 · 8 April 2013]

A remarkable film with Sridevi as the winner. She is just amazing. This movie showed her acting skills at its paramount. Be it a village belle, a westernized dancing girl, a assertive young women handling opponents as a matured adult, she took the film acting at a different level. This is a movie about three people, Chandni ( Sridevi), Rohit ( Rishi Kapoor ) and Lalit ( Vonod Khanna ) entangled in a triangular love story. Yash Chopra, famous film maker and younger brother of the legendary B.R. Chopra created a masterpiece of a love story surrounding these three human beings. Both Chandni and Rohit's encounter at the beginning of the movie kept us entertained with some good songs and frolics of two young lovers, the story took the turn to more serious situations with Rohits accident and eventual separation from Chandni. Sridevi showed some magnificent dance performance specially the one in white clothing in the open field without any song. That was a super show. The movie has quite a few songs but they were all very well placed in the story and performed very well both in playback and actual playing. Rishi Kapoor showed a lot of enthusiasm and zeal in portraying young Rohit as also Vinod Khanna in his more serious role. Sridevi expressed her self so well in all the different moods specially when she meets Rishi Kapoor at the door of her house first time after their separation, she expressed her surprise and emotions extremely well. It was a special surprise to see Waheeda Rehman as the mother of Vinod Khanna in a very well deserved role. Overall this a great movie of the late eighties Bollywood and it is a must see for all Sridevi fans. I gave it a nine out of ten.

A correction

[bobbybabu · 9/10 · 18 February 2005]

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.

A Beautiful Love Story.

[mirmahmood · 9/10 · 13 May 2020]

Chandni movie has an amazing performance by everyone in the cast especially the three main leads,love the performance of the late sridevi,she really looks so much pretty in the movie,the movie has amazing choreography,and is shot beautifully.Miss you Sridevi.

Sridevi is the soul of this film

[ravikiran-kothapalli · 9/10 · 31 August 2019]

In an author backed role, Sridevi excelled like a master and owned the screen like a goddess. She held her own and emoted so well in each of the situations she comes across playing the character. Such is the grit and determination with which she played the role that we cannot ever imagine anybody else fitting in the role of Chandni.

Watch this movie only for her and you will be disappointed.

Beautiful

[shivakumarvishwa · 10/10 · 28 June 2008]

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

Chandni is a cinematic gem

[sanahashamkhan · 8/10 · 20 September 2023]

"Chandni," directed by Yash Chopra, is a classic Bollywood romance that takes audiences on an enchanting journey through the power and importance of love. Released in 1989, the film has continued to captivate audiences with its memorable characters, melodious music, and timeless message. Seamlessly blending elements of passion, heartbreak, and redemption, "Chandni" stands as an enduring testament to the enduring power of love in all its forms.

Plot and Characters: The story of "Chandni" revolves around the lives of Rohit, played by Rishi Kapoor, and Chandni, portrayed by Sridevi. Their paths cross when fate brings them together on a trip to Switzerland, where they find themselves falling deeply in love. However, tragedy strikes, and their love story takes an unexpected turn, testing their commitment to one another. As the narrative unfolds, viewers are drawn into a compelling tale of love's ability to endure through the most challenging circumstances.

Importance of Love: "Chandni" beautifully illustrates the significance of love in multiple dimensions. Firstly, it emphasizes the transformative power of love, how it has the ability to heal and inspire individuals to become their best selves. Throughout the film, we witness the characters' personal growth as they navigate the highs and lows of their relationship. Love acts as a catalyst, bringing out their innate strengths and pushing them to overcome obstacles.

Moreover, "Chandni" delves into the importance of unconditional love. The film emphasizes that love should not be restricted by societal norms, age, or physical appearance. It promotes the idea that true love transcends external barriers, highlighting the depth of emotions shared between two souls. It encourages viewers to embrace love in its purest form and celebrate the beauty of emotional connection. Another essential aspect highlighted in the movie is the significance of forgiveness and second chances. Love in "Chandni" is portrayed as a force that allows individuals to forgive past mistakes, learn from them, and rebuild relationships. It underscores the notion that love is not about perfection, but about acceptance and understanding. The film demonstrates the transformative impact of forgiveness and how it can lead to profound personal growth and reconciliation.

Technical Brilliance: Yash Chopra's direction shines in "Chandni," with breathtaking cinematography that transports viewers to the stunning landscapes of Switzerland. The film's iconic song sequences, composed by Shiv-Hari, evoke a myriad of emotions, seamlessly blending into the narrative and becoming timeless melodies that are cherished to this day.

Performances: Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi deliver stellar performances, infusing their characters with genuine emotion and depth. Kapoor portrays Rohit's journey with vulnerability and conviction, while Sridevi embodies Chandni's strength and resilience with grace and charm. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable, making their love story all the more compelling and memorable. "Chandni" remains an iconic film that beautifully portrays the significance of love. Through its captivating narrative, memorable characters, and soul-stirring music, the movie leaves a lasting impact on the viewers. It teaches us that love is a powerful force capable of healing, forgiveness, and personal growth.

"Chandni" will continue to be cherished, reminding us of the timeless importance of love in our lives.

Yash Chopra's best romantic film!

[nadkarnisumeet · 8/10 · 15 September 2022]

Chandni review :

After his mega-budget action packed multistarrer Vijay (1988) flopped badly, producer director Yash Chopra decided to make a simple sweet love triangle. The '80s hadn't been too kind to him with Silsila (1981), Mashaal (1984) and Faasle (1985) underperforming at the box office. Chopra desperately needed a hit and he decided to go back to his roots instead of catering to the action based trend of those times.

Sridevi was signed as the titular character with the evergreen romantic hero Rishi Kapoor and macho Vinod Khanna completing the love triangle. Chandni became an instant moneyspinner and gave a new lease of life to Yash Chopra who then stuck to the romantic genre right till his last Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) . Shiv Hari's melodious music, mesmerizing Swiss locales and the gorgeous Sridevi in chiffon sarees wowed the then audience which was somehow fed up of being served the same maar-dhaad grub and looking for a change. Chandni came as a breath of fresh air for them!!

The film's success catapulted Sridevi to the top and her next release Chaalbaaz (1989) affirmed that status. Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna were perfectly cast as her two suitors. Chopra was pressurized by distributors to add an action scene for Vinod but he didn't relent. Thank goodness.. Chandni remains his best romantic movie till date!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

The reason I believe in love.

[ohmerichandni · 10/10 · 9 June 2023]

This movie is so beautiful. In my opinion this is by far Sridevi's best movie ever as well as Yash Chopra's best movie ever! Just by watching it you can tell. This movie is all very romance based, typical romantic bollywood movies have cheating or fight scenes and blood and action but this movie is very sweet and soft and feminine and all romance which I LOVE. So many sweet things, romantic words. Especially the rose scene, it truly melted my heart. No matter how many times I have seen this movie whether if it was as a child or as of right now I could never ever ever get tired of it. Sridevi's outfits and sarees are just astonishing. Honestly, nobody would think that the color scheme of white would be good for a big movie but Sridevi pulled it off and I honestly think it gave it a very angelic, soft, and beautiful touch to it. The songs I could listen to forever. "Tere mere honthon pe/mitwa "and "aa meri jaan" are my two top favorites. They are very soft and romantic and beautiful. This entire soundtrack is very beautiful and soft and whimsical it all goes together without all sounding the same or played out, it's very beautiful and just words cannot even explain how beautiful. The outfits I cannot get over it, her yellow engagement outfit, her "main sasural nahin jaungi" outfit, her "chandni" outfit, the saris, everything makes my heart melt. I could go on and on about this movie. It just makes my heart happy and it makes me want to be more feminine because of the character Chandni itself. I thank Yash chopra for making this movie, at the time it was out it was not as big as dilwale dulhania le jayenge or veer zaara and such but it should have been. Wow just wow. I hope this convinces you on how amazing this movie is.