Sara Akash

Sara Akash
Directed by	Basu Chatterjee
Produced by	Basu Chatterjee
Written by	Basu Chatterjee (screenplay),; Kamleshwar (dialogue); Rajendra Yadav (story)
Starring	Rakesh Pandey; Madhu Chakravarty,; Nandita Thakur,; A. K. Hangal,; Dina Pathak,; Mani Kaul,; Tarla Mehta,; Shaily Shailendra,; Jalal Agha,; Aarti Bole
Music by	Salil Choudhury
Cinematography	K. K. Mahajan
Edited by	Ishwar Chandra; Ashok Gaind
Release date	1969
Running time	100 minutes
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Sara Akash (English: The Whole Sky) is a 1969 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee, based on first part of novel Sara Akash (The Infinite Cosmos, 1951) by Rajendra Yadav. This was Yadav's debut novel, originally published as Pret Bolte Hain (Ghosts Speak), renamed in 1960, the title in turn was taken from a poem by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. The film starred Rakesh Pandey, Madhu Chakravarty, Nandita Thakur, A. K. Hangal and Dina Pathak in lead roles. Set in a traditional middle class joint family in Agra, the film deals with internal conflicts of a newly wed couple, both of whom find themselves unprepared for domestic life.

The film marked the debut of Basu Chatterjee as director, and was also the first film of cinematographer K. K. Mahajan, who won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his black-and-white camera work in the film. Along with Uski Roti and Bhuvan Shome other notable films of the year, it is regarded as one of the films which started the Indian New Wave.

Plot

Agra-based collegian, Samar Thakur (Rakesh Pandey), lives in a joint family consisting of his father (A. K. Hangal), mother (Dina Pathak), brother Amar (film director Mani Kaul, in his only major acting role) and his wife; as well as a married sister, Munni, estranged from her husband. His parents force him to marry Prabha (Madhu Chakravarty), a matriculate, much to his chagrin as this interferes with his future plans. The marriage does take place, and he soon finds that he is not only incompatible with her, she was well versed in household chores. Leading to arguments, abuse and neglect, which may result in the end of this marriage.

Cast

Rakesh Pandey - Samar Thakur
Madhu Chakravarty - Prabha S. Thakur
Nandita Thakur - Munni
A. K. Hangal - Mr. Thakur
Dina Pathak - Mrs. Thakur
Mani Kaul - Amar Thakur
Tarla Mehta - Mrs. Amar Thakur
Shaily Shailendra - Pandit
Jalal Agha - Diwakar
Aarti Bole - Mrs. Kiran Diwakar

Crew

Director - Basu Chatterjee
Story - Rajendra Yadav
Screenplay - Basu Chatterjee
Producer - Basu Chatterjee
Music Director - Salil Choudhury
Cinematographer - K. K. Mahajan
Production Company - Cineye Films

Production

The film was shot on location in Agra, and in Rajendra Yadav's old family house in Raja Ki Mandi area, Agra.^[2]^[6] In his foreword to the second edition of the novel, Yadav relates how it was a thrilling experience to go around the house with the director and cinematographer. Mahajan said to Chatterjee that the house was a "ready-made set", better than anything that could be built in Bombay. Yadav offered to make it available for the shooting.^[7]