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10 Jul, 1904

Cinemaazi remembers Timir Baran on his birth anniversary

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Chandrasena (1935)

V Shantaram

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Release Date1935
GenrePuranic
FormatB-W
LanguageHindi
Censor RatingU

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An important epic from Ramayan, known to everyone. Ahi and Mahi the two mighty RAKSHASAS ruled over Mahikavati, a magnificent city in the Patal-Loke. They were good at black art and were allies of Emperor Ravana, who was then engaged at war with Rama.

Mahi kidnapped and married a Nag princess named Chandrasena who was a great devotee of Rama and had no fancy for her husband's manners and customs who used to offer human sacrifice to his goddess and was indulging intoxicating. She always used to avoid all these and never joined such festivities, which aroused jealousy in the minds of Mahadevi the wife of Ahi, who tried her best to set her brother-in-law against his pious wife.

Ravana during war with Rama sought the help of Ahi and Mahi asking them to kill outright Rama with their superfluous power. In compliance to Ravana's request they took away Rama and Laxman unaware and kept in their custody for offering them in sacrifice to their Goddess Bhadrakali.

Chandrasena on knowing all about this pursuaded her husband entreaties and said that Rama being the incarnation of God if he does such fowl things against him, the wrath of God will fall on them and result in ruin. Mahi being under the influence of wine began to brag that he was immortal and every drop of his blood which when fall on the ground will multiply himself thousand fold.

Chandrasena finding all her attempts futile resolved to set Rama free and with this end in view, went to their place of custody and requested to take her help and get released from the prison, which Ram resented on grounds of woman's help and her risks, ultimately the great entreaties of Chandrasena, melted the heart of Rama and he asked her to give them bows and quivers.

A maid servant of Mahadevi who had followed Chandrasena reported the matter to her mistress, who frustrated Chandrasena's scheme by informing Mahi. Chandrasena was caught red hand by Mahi, while she was in the act of giving bows and arrows to the enemies. Thus disappointed Chandrasena was given in charge if Mahadevi who ridiculed her for entertaining the foolish idea of destroying Mahi who was immortal and on whose blood drops the bees from Patal-Loke sprinkled nectar and multiplied him thousand fold. Mahi was shocked to see that Mahadevi was wantonly giving out the secret of his perpetual life, but it was no use crying over the split milk.

When the monkey followers of Rama came to know about the disappearance of Rama and Laxman they organized a search party. Hanuman the powerful, devotee and able lieutenant of Rama arrived at Mahikavati and forced entry in the temple of Bhadrakali and after killing Ahi supplied Rama with bows and arrows. Soon a battle ensued between Rama and Mahi but Mahi could not be filled as every drop of his blood gave rise to thousand Mahi at a time. Hanuman went to Chandrasena to get the secret of Mahi's perpetual life who as a devoted and faithful wife would not give thinking that the life of her husband will be endangered and by disclosing the secret she will fall in great sin, for her husband's death. Hanuman promised her to bring Rama to her apartment to expatiate her sin, thus Chandrasena gave out the secret of Mahi's life.

When the battle ended Hanuman told Rama of his promises to Chandrasena, but Rama would not go, as he had made a secret vow not to be alone in the company of a woman other than his own wife.

How interesting it would be to see what happens to Rama and his devotee Chandrasena and the sequences on the Dazzling, Puzzling, Jingling, Mingling Screen.

[From the official press booklet]