The invention relates to a thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition essentially consisting of: a) a component MA comprising at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, b) a component MB comprising at least one chiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, c) a photoinitiator, and d) optionally a dye component, to anisotropic polymers and polymer films with a chiral mesophase obtainable from said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition and to the use of said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition, anisotropic polymers and polymer films for optical information storage, photomasks, decorative pigments, cosmetics, security applications, active and passive optical elements such as polarizers or optical retarders, color filters, scattering displays, adhesives or synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties.