Saptapadi (film)
Encyclopedia
Saptapadi Bengali Film is a 1961 film by Ajoy Kar, starring Suchitra Sen
, Uttam Kumar
, Chhabi Biswas
, Chaya Debi.
), a bright, young, athletic and Hindu Bengali youth falls in love with an equally talented and attractive but Christian Rina Brown (Suchitra Sen). Both of them were students in the National Medical College and they come close during their interaction in multitude of sports and cultural events (there is an interesting rendition of Othello
within the movie; that portion of the movie was directed by Utpal Dutt
). However their marriage is not on the cards due to the differences in religion (particularly opposed by Krishnendu's dad, a staunch, conservative Hindu) and they move each other ways only to clash unexpectedly again, later in life.
Most of the movie is shown in flashback mode; Krishnendu pondering over the past upon his sudden and unexpected interaction with a drunk and passed out Rina in a military hospital in rural Bengal.
Suchitra Sen
Suchitra Sen ; or Rama Dasgupta , is an Indian actress who acted in several Bengali films. In particular, the movies in which she paired opposite another legend in Bengali films, Uttam Kumar, became classics in the history of Bengali cinema. She now lives a life of a recluse rarely making any...
, Uttam Kumar
Uttam Kumar
Uttam Kumar is one of the most famous names of Indian Bengali Cinema.Born Arun Kumar Chatterjee in 1926 at Ahiritola, North Calcutta he is widely known as Uttam Kumar and Mahanayak . He remains as much of a cultural icon as he had been in his lifetime...
, Chhabi Biswas
Chhabi Biswas
Chhabi Biswas was a much revered Bengali character actor, primarily known for his performances in Tapan Sinha's Kabuliwala and Satyajit Ray's films Jalshaghar , Devi and Kanchenjungha .He is the best remembered for his numerous roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch, was himself the...
, Chaya Debi.
Synopsis
Its a love story with a twist set in Bengal in pre independent India (early 1940); the time when young Indian students were competing equally with British 'goras' in all fields whether it be education or sports. This was the time when barefooted Bengali football team defeated the booted British team to win the national football shield; this was the time when the ambitious and educated Calcutta students were matching their prowess in different fields of education with the British - be it law or medicine. It is in this time of rising nationalistic sentiments (1942 was when Gandhiji started the non violent Quit India movement) that Krishnendu (Uttam KumarUttam Kumar
Uttam Kumar is one of the most famous names of Indian Bengali Cinema.Born Arun Kumar Chatterjee in 1926 at Ahiritola, North Calcutta he is widely known as Uttam Kumar and Mahanayak . He remains as much of a cultural icon as he had been in his lifetime...
), a bright, young, athletic and Hindu Bengali youth falls in love with an equally talented and attractive but Christian Rina Brown (Suchitra Sen). Both of them were students in the National Medical College and they come close during their interaction in multitude of sports and cultural events (there is an interesting rendition of Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
within the movie; that portion of the movie was directed by Utpal Dutt
Utpal Dutt
Utpal Dutt was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali Theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the 'Little Theater Group' in 1947, which enacted many English, Shakespearean and Brecht plays, in a period...
). However their marriage is not on the cards due to the differences in religion (particularly opposed by Krishnendu's dad, a staunch, conservative Hindu) and they move each other ways only to clash unexpectedly again, later in life.
Most of the movie is shown in flashback mode; Krishnendu pondering over the past upon his sudden and unexpected interaction with a drunk and passed out Rina in a military hospital in rural Bengal.
Cast
- Chhabi BiswasChhabi BiswasChhabi Biswas was a much revered Bengali character actor, primarily known for his performances in Tapan Sinha's Kabuliwala and Satyajit Ray's films Jalshaghar , Devi and Kanchenjungha .He is the best remembered for his numerous roles as the quintessential aristocratic patriarch, was himself the...
... Krishnendu's Father - Chhaya DeviChhaya DeviChhaya Devi or Chhaya Debi was an Indian film actress. She has acted in hundreds of Bengali, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi language movies for over five decades and played many character roles...
... Rina's maid - Utpal DuttUtpal DuttUtpal Dutt was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali Theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the 'Little Theater Group' in 1947, which enacted many English, Shakespearean and Brecht plays, in a period...
... Othello (voice-over) - Tarun KumarTarun KumarTarun Kumar is an Indian film actor who primarily works in Telugu cinema and Tamil cinema. He frequently appears in Romantic comedy films.-Career:...
... Krishnendu's friend - Uttam KumarUttam KumarUttam Kumar is one of the most famous names of Indian Bengali Cinema.Born Arun Kumar Chatterjee in 1926 at Ahiritola, North Calcutta he is widely known as Uttam Kumar and Mahanayak . He remains as much of a cultural icon as he had been in his lifetime...
... Krishnendu - Padmadevi ... Krishnendu's mother
- Suchitra SenSuchitra SenSuchitra Sen ; or Rama Dasgupta , is an Indian actress who acted in several Bengali films. In particular, the movies in which she paired opposite another legend in Bengali films, Uttam Kumar, became classics in the history of Bengali cinema. She now lives a life of a recluse rarely making any...
... Rina Brown - Jeniffer Kapoor ... Desdemona (voice over)
Crew
- Music: Hemanta Mukherjee
- Director: Ajoy Kar
- Producer: Uttam KumarUttam KumarUttam Kumar is one of the most famous names of Indian Bengali Cinema.Born Arun Kumar Chatterjee in 1926 at Ahiritola, North Calcutta he is widely known as Uttam Kumar and Mahanayak . He remains as much of a cultural icon as he had been in his lifetime...
- Distributor: Alochaya Productions