Chandramukhi (character)

Chandramukhi is a courtesan (tawaif) who lives in Calcutta (known as Kolkata after 2001). She is considered the most beautiful and richest prostitute in the area of Chitpur.^[4] She is first introduced to Devdas by Chunnilal, who returns to Calcutta heartbroken after the marriage of Parvati "Paro". Devdas, disgusted over Chandramukhi's profession insults her and leaves her kotha. Chandramukhi, impressed by Devdas's attitude, later falls in love with him after realizing his steadfast love for Paro. She leaves her profession for Devdas and convinces him to marry her; he, however, has to reluctantly reject her offer as he has devoted his life to Paro. In return, Chandramukhi does not force him to be with her but waits patiently for him. Subsequently, she also moves to Ashthajhari village, where she lives in a muddy house located at the bank of a river and helps the needy. After some struggle, she meets with Devdas again, who now accepts her love.

In most of the film adaptations of Devdas, the story of Chandramukhi is similar to the novel. However, in most of the films her humanitarian work in helping the needy is not depicted. Unlike in the novel, a scene in which Chandramukhi and Parvathi meet was added in Bimal Roy's 1955 version when Paro, played by Suchitra Sen riding in a human rickshaw, comes across Chandramukhi, played by Vyjayanthimala, who just stares at Paro without a single word being exchanged between them.^[5] The meeting scene of Paro and Chandramukhi in the 1955 version was still regarded as one of the memorable scene in Bollywood with the background music adding the impact to the scene.^[6] In the 2002 version, the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, extended the interaction between Paro and Chandramukhi, also showing them dancing together to the hit song "Dola Re Dola".^[7]

Chandramukhi is one of the first characters in an Indian novel to deal with prostitution.^[11] She was often depicted as a tawaif with a heart of gold.^[12] The character of Chandramukhi had paved the way for other portrayals of prostitutes and tawaifs in films like Pyaasa (1957), Sadhna (1958) and Pakeezah (1972).^[13]

Chandramukhi was well received in India by critics. In 2006, Rediff included Chandramukhi in their list of "Bollywood's Best Tawaif".^[14] Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India also ranked Chandramukhi at #5 in his list "Tart with a heart".^[15]

There are many actresses who have portrayed Chandramukhi in film adaptations of Devdas. The first notable award was won by Vyjayanthimala in 1956 when she won the Filmfare Awards^[16] in the Supporting Actress category. However, she was also the first person to decline the award, as she thought that her role was not a supporting one but was of equal importance and parallel to that of Paro in the 1955 version.^[17] Madhuri Dixit and Kalki Koechlin and also won the same award as Vyjayanthimala for their respective portrayals.

The following are awards and nominations received by actresses who have played the role of Chandramukhi in film:

• List of prostitutes and courtesans
• Hooker with a heart of gold