" Chandralekha "

Chandralekha is a 1948 Indian epic film directed and produced by S. S. Vasan. It features an ensemble cast consisting of M.K.Radha, Ranjan, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan and Maduram. Made on a lavish budget of $600,000 ($28 million in 2010 prices) it held the record of the most expensive Tamil film of its time.

Begun in 1943, the filming was completed over five years, mainly in the famous erstwhile Gemini Studios while at the same time, Uday Shankar's famous movie - Kalpana was also shot here. The film tells the story of rivalry between two princes for power and the love of a dancer named Chandralekha. The villainous prince tries to force the village dancer to marry him, and she agrees on one condition — that there be a gigantic drum dance (which turn out to be a Trojan horse).

Its producer and distributor, Gemini Studios became the first Tamil studio to attempt an all-India distribution. The film was released in Hindi. Establishing the new pan-Indian popular tradition of film-making, and a national existence outside of Bombay's output, it is still remembered as a cultural extravaganza for its array of costumes and use of many extras, its famous drum–dance sequence and long sword–fight sequence. The circus used extensively in the film's plot became famous as the Gemini Circus as a result and is in existence till today. The film was noted for its production values then and gave rise to what is known as the "formula" movie.