Cheluvi(1992)
Cheluvi is a 1992 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Girish Karnad. The film stars Sonali Kulkarni in her debut role as the titular character, alongside Sushma, B. Jayashree, and Girish Karnad. The story follows a poor village girl who possesses the magical ability to transform into a flowering tree, a secret that is exploited by her family and village leaders. Based on the folk tale 'A Flowering Tree: A Woman's Tale', the film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation. It was also featured at the 24th International Film Festival of India in Delhi. The cinematography was handled by Rajiv Menon, and the film is noted for its folkloric tone and environmental message.
Cheluvi (1992) OTT release date is not officially announced yet — GudVibe tracks its streaming availability daily.
Where to watch:Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1992
- Director
- Girish Karnad
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 42m
- Rating
- 4.4/10
Storyline
A poor village girl named Cheluvi has a secret magical power: she can turn her body into a flowering tree. Her sister forces her to reveal this gift, and soon the greedy village headman takes control. Cheluvi is trapped between her human life and her tree form, and her world begins to fall apart.
“A girl who became a tree.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Cheluvi
Cast reunions in this film: Rajiv Menon & Girish Karnad (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film is based on a Kannada short story by writer and director Girish Karnad himself.
- It was one of the few Hindi films starring actress Madhuri Dixit that did not perform well at the box office.
- The movie's fantasy theme was unusual for its time, blending folklore with a modern narrative.
- Girish Karnad, primarily known as a playwright and actor, directed only a handful of feature films.
- The film's soundtrack was composed by Bappi Lahiri, known for his disco hits in the 1980s.
- The story uses the tree transformation as a metaphor for nature's exploitation and feminine resilience.
- Some promotional material highlighted it as a 'fantasy fairy tale' aimed at a family audience.