Chitralekha is a 1941 Indian Hindi-language film, directed by Kidar Sharma and based on the 1934 Hindi novel of the same name by Bhagwati Charan Verma.

Madhu and Bihari, two children from contrasting social backgrounds develops a deep friendship despite societal class divisions. Their innocent bond faces challenges and disapproval from elders as it evolves into love. Can their bond survive the harsh judgments of a class-conscious world and the trials of growing up?

Feudal melodrama: Veena (Jamuna), daughter of an exploitative landlord and wife of the drunkard Chunilal (Shivdasani), defies her family and fights for the exploited peasantry. In the process she falls in love with the poor Madhu (Nandrekar). When her evil husband cannot undermine the peasants' unity he commits suicide. The heroine is disinherited by her father, but remains committed to nationalism. The film prominently deploys Gandhian symbols (e.g. the spinning wheel), and contrasts an idyllic notion of erstwhile India to the penury of its people today.

Aziz, an unemployed graduate, turns to crime after his brother’s death and ends up in prison. Years later, he escapes, becomes a gang leader, and unknowingly falls in love with his long-lost sister, leading to a tragic confrontation with the police.