MEGHE DHAKA TARA (Cloud-Capped Star)
Supriya Choudhury, Anil Chatterjee, Bijon Bhattacharya
Gita De, Gita Ghatak
Dwiju Bhawal, Niranjan Roy, Gyanesh Mukherjee, Ranen Roy Choudhury
Story by Shaktipada Rajguru
Photographed by Dinen Gupta
Film editing by Ramesh Joshi. Music by Jyoiirindra Moiira
Production, scenario and direction by Ritwik Ghatak
Tell your father you owe us for two months. It's getting difficult
Yes, I will
I can't do without a shave, so please shave me
Any idea what you owe?
A dark girl
A dark complexion
Get off to school now
Her tuitions should be over; she'll be hurt if she overhears
Such a responsible girl
Studying and giving two tuitions, bringing home forty rupees a month
I heard at the meeting that there are more and more evictions
They might even stop school grants
Would you like a mat, to sit and gossip on?
Your sandal is torn, Khuki
I'll have it mended
Teacher, about your tax...
What a good thing I bumped into you. Now, about your dramatic society...
The bumblebee flew humming into the room
Bathe, you're late for college
A love letter!
"L didn't appreciate your worth, I thought you were like the others
"But now I see you in the clouds...
"...perhaps a cloud-capped star, veiled by circumstances...
"...your aura dimmed"
Sanat. That idiot! I haven't seen him for ages
Poking your nose into personal affairs
If you're a "person", then I'll be a genius one day
You know that's true, hence your pride
If only the barber would understand what a genius I am
Can you spare some money? The beards itching
Two annas, or maybe four...
...or maybe eight - I'd like some tobacco
Or why not a whole rupee. You've got your tuition money, haven't you?
Why not get a job, Brother?
It's beneath an artist's dignity
In a couple of years, cash will rain down on me
Do you know how much Amir Khan Sahib gets for a concert?
Remember what I said about the rupee
Ma, Manashi in our college has a sari with a beautiful motif...
...a cow-girl
Ma, don't listen to her
It's the college's football final tomorrow
I can't wear these awful saris any more
The "heiress" has spent three years in the same class
I must have studded boots by tomorrow
He can't afford food, but he makes demands like a prince
Half the month we can't afford a second course
It's the first of the month - sister will have been paid
You didn't buy sandals, did you?
I'll buy them later. I bought material for brothers shirt
After all these years... isn't that Father's pupil Sanat?
Don't you recognize me?
It's Montu, isn't it?
What are you gawping at?
You've changed so much. You were only a girl, and now...
- Who? - Neeta
You write letters, but you don't come to see us
I know that handwriting; I give those letters to Neeta
She's hardly at home, what with college and tuitions
Let's go home. Ma will be cross
Geeta has grown into quite a beauty
A beauty... but she can't afford decent clothes
Neeta, I need some cash to have the diagrams printed
It's all gone this month, Sanat
I can't even buy my brother and sister what they ask
I know, but I still bring my woes to you. One feels powerless
It's your struggle. Can't we share it?
I'll find a way next month
Please visit us. Father often speaks of you
Yes, but only when I’ve some money
Your spoilt darling will spend it by the fistful
After all, ifs her money
The hussy must have spent it all, my entire month's budget
I ought to give, but I don't. How can I say no?
No sympathy in the whole world, and no one who'll understand
Khuki, won't you eat?
I'm not feeling well
Don't be angry with Ma
Deprivation... ifs destroyed her mind
I’m not angry
Remember that poem by Yeats, Khuki?
A bad headache
Here's another precious prodigy
A god in a devil's clan. Shear it off
You've bought nice material
Going to bed already? Won't you eat?
Mother must have said something
Ignore what people say. Your motto should be: Do what you think best
Eyes full of tears? They'll fall at the slightest provocation
I'll utter a spell. All right?
- I'm not feeling well - So I’m uttering it
Mother, your girl's such a Khuki. She wants to catch the moon
She can't make out anything
She's such a Khuki, mother
- A rupee tomorrow, please - There's nothing left
All right, next month, then
Next month it all goes straight to Ma
Whoever gives up money is a full-scale idiot
Where are you going, all dressed up?
I couldn't wait till morning to wear it
Slightly bovine
There's pleasure in practice
New month, very busy right now
Please send last month's bill
You'll settle it? What did you want?
Just the bill
Not going to college?
Flunking exams for novels and films
Everything's scarce in this house, you don't have anything you need
So create a paradise
Dress like fairies, all of you
I'll rest, wriggling my big toe, in perfumed splendour
This year you and Shankar just have to sing for us
I've given up singing, and Shankar's maestro won't give him permission
But we'll invite lots of guests. We must talk this over
All right, I'll call in at the library and see you
Well, how are the rehearsals?
Not making much progress
Progress indeed!
The tuition money
All of it?
I asked Banshi to send his bill. He's so rude every day
Keep five rupees for pocket-money
Have you no shame, living off your old father?
The girl works to fool your bills
I'll be earning, too
Since the radio audition I get lots of calls, my maestro's furious
He won't let me perform until I’ve studied for another two years
Hasn't your maestro a hennaed beard?
Why not just grab it and hang on like a midget? Why come here?
Does any young man sit at home?
My bread doesn't come cheap
How can I look people in the eye? No food for you, unless you pay up
- Going off without eating? - You told Ma I’m a glutton
He can't make out anything. He's such a Khuka, mother
Why destroy the future because of such simple bickering?
Grit your teeth and hang on for two years
Khuki, only you know my worth
Going off like that... don't you know what's on tomorrow?
It's Jagatdhatri Puja
It's your birthday
Father's taking me out, like he used to
Where to?
Anywhere, ifs not decided
All right. I'll come, too. Don't tell him
Brother, you're such a child
Father would refuse if I told him
Sunrise
Didn't Keats have a poem?
This flourishing field... ii costs nothing to perceive its beauty
There is no money, but this is here
Appreciating life is an art
Don't overdo it, you'll get indigestion
Will you always be this greedy?
You shouldn't say such things
Anything for us?
Sir, your tax is three months overdue
Come tomorrow morning, I'll see what I can do
Aren't you in that group of...
I left. I wasn't getting any parts
An actor, is it?
Who are you?
I’m Sanat, sir
You got a good second in pure physics
Someone told me... Khuki told me
Yes, we meet sometimes
What's happened? You're so pale and drawn
What are your plans?
I'm looking for a scholarship to do doctoral research
Monkey!
- For a D.Sc? - D.Phils are all too common
Swine!
What's the subject of your thesis?
The Reynolds number of the Supersonic Vibration of the Lower Gangetic Plain
Ape!
Not you, I mean Shankar. I was comparing you two
He's done nothing
Son, have a bite to eat
So you're immersed in studies?
No other way out in life
What a lovely place
I haven't time
Give Sanat some tea
ls Sanat here?
What are you staring at? Take this, I’m late
How do you manage to sit indoors all evening?
Drink the tea. I'll go late for tuition, as you're here
Let's go for a walk
A walk, I said. Miles away, weren't you?
Where is everyone?
What's this? Get out at once!
Dear me, what's going on?
Come inside
You know the guru I told you about
When was that?
Bring home all the vagabonds! Can't feed yourself...
Beginning's a bit troublesome
Such a lovely voice. You'd be spellbound
If you bring such a nuisance again...
Quick, bring some money
Don't tell your mother. We're busy. Lessons to be taught
We're going out. I'll do the tuition on the way back
It won't work. I can't manage without a job
No, you mustn't
But I can't get a scholarship
After so much work
Just a few more months
And then?
Then I'll get a job
And with your earnings...
It makes no difference
You're so gifted
- That picture in my room... - The two kids?
Me and Brother
Once we went up to the hills
We got up before dawn to see the sunrise from a peak. How hard it was
But when the sun came... I can't explain the thrill
Brother used to tease me: "She wants to catch the moon"
He still teases me
Neeta, you're just not cut out to endure all this
Then keep me in a glass case, like a wax doll
I'll be late for tuition
That's why I come to you, you make my worries vanish
No cause for alarm, just a broken bone
Neeta, a word with you
Such an injury in old age... it'll take long to mend
You'll have to run the household from now on
I'll give a sedative, it'll last until morning
What brings you here? Weren't you finishing your studies this year?
I couldn't. I’ve had to take a job
You'd better spin a new yarn about your rent
- I said yesterday... -"You'll get it as soon as I do"
Do you take us for your benefactor, to rest on our shoulder?
Why not get a job? Settle down in life
You'll never understand suffering for an ideal
I asked your friend Saroj what could be done about it
What did he say?
National Chemical, Joy Engineering, Jagat Hosiery
Three jobs just waiting for you...
...and you're researching hot air in the atmosphere
Sir, the lady's here
Your ideal is here
What a time I’ve had. Luckily, I got a job
The way things are after Father's accident...
I can't say I like it. Why abandon your studies?
What can I do?
So many at home, all counting on me
Walk me to the station
Praise to the Goddess of Learning, bestower of perseverance
And four annas for me, for a shave
Goddess of Learning, Mother of the Universe
It will be unbearable if I do research while you work
I'll work and you study. I can easily get a job
Then our wedding...
Can't happen now
How can it? If I leave the household...
My father, brothers and sister...
Shankar's a rascal, why support him?
You don't understand him at all
One day he will be big, and you will, too
I pin my hopes on both of you
Then my time will come
That means, until then...
We must wait
Why should we wait?
Don't be silly
I'll drop by in a day or two
I have a question
Come along
A singer can certainly afford a shave
Have you shorn off your sense of shame, too?
What shame?
The lot of you living off one sister, destroying her future
Everyone's talking about it. Aren't you the elder brother?
Banshi, just because you give credit it doesn't mean you can criticize
I call Neeta "Sinbad the Sailor"
They're all on her shoulders, like the old man of the sea
That'll be her fate until she drops dead
Wasting all my days
I've come to the river at a bad time. I don't know your name, boatman
Who shall I call out to?
Who will row me across?
The boat is here, but no boatman
No! a soul to be seen
Sir, I’ve finished the lesson
It's late. You'd better go home, son
Montu has skipped college for a month. I heard today that he's failed
He's been struck off the roll because he couldn't pay the fees
What good would college do him, anyway?
It's just as well that girl has a job
Father, do you know about Montu?
No need to tell me. Bad news travels fast
Everyone knows you're the happiest to see us harmed
You and your young man
Wife!
Because he's known as a sportsman, Montu's been given a factory job
He was frightened to tell you. He's brought home his first pay
Everything's kept secret from me, as if I were an enemy
Like father, like children
I won't touch this money. You can run the household and face the music
A job in a factory? Labour!
So what? These jobs have better prospects nowadays
See what the middle classes have sunk to?
Help me into the next room
You all think I just pick fault
Time has taken a heavy toll of my mind and spirit
Somethings come over me
You needn't explain, Ma
I can't take the burden of this household any more. Set me free
If Shankar had been a man, you wouldn't have to shoulder the burden
Brother is very nice
Don't count on your father any more. Maybe he will stand and walk again
But I think his mind is becoming confused
He won't be able to earn again. I’ve known him since I was seven
Don't worry, Ma... I’m here
You, too, have your hopes... lots of things, I expect
Anyway, you're all I have
Yes, but I can't help thinking
You're my sole support... that's the truth
But even you scare me
My own daughter, yet I don't know you
What if you go away, too?
I still don't know you
- Oh, it's you - Just listening
- What is it? - Come and eat, it's late
- Why haven't you eaten? - Because you haven't eaten
I bother you all the time, don't I?
- How sentimental - Not really
Your whole future... your marriage...
People are turning nasty
It hurts your manhood?
- Haven't you an ego? - Something much bigger: my music
Right now I’m exploiting you
But deep down it really disturbs me
Are you serious?
I love you all to distraction
We all love each other, but we shy from saying so
If anyone else loves me, he'll surely wait for me
It doesn't worry me
I won't marry right now
I'll many when you become really famous
Won't I survive until then?
All my suffering will vanish then
Don't you vanish, too
Will you take me to the hills then? "She's such a Khuki, mother"
I will. You're such a child
Banish sadness and poverty, bring happiness to all
Sadarang makes a plea
O Being! I shall worship You, Supreme Being
What have you done to yourself?
Don't fall. I spoke like Father
Why haven't you come for so long?
I can't seem to make it
- The question you were going to ask? -l don't feel the need
I'll be back after tuition
He's sitting all alone. Should I talk to him?
OT Perhaps go out?
I don't know, whatever you like
Why are you gawping?
Shall we go for a stroll? Sister won't be coming, you know
Firefly, man has no pity for you!
I’ve kept them waiting. A friend of mine works there
If ifs a good job, take it
Leave the hostel, find a nice flat and many a nice girl
Let's see
The way you are, your life will pass in gawping
My sandals. Take them off
Mine are unwearable. I went to a concert with my maestro...
Work, and wear what you like
Dear Montu, give me some money
Eight annas, four... How much can you scrounge off Neeta? My hair's so long...
Shouldn't a beggar look like a beggar?
Brother, go to your room
You're upset, aren't you?
"I’ve raised you since you were kids"
Let him talk
Get some clothes made
Get a haircut and look decent. Buy a pair of sandals
No, you'll suffer. Those who suffer for others, suffer for ever
You're a complete idiot. In the words of Banshi Dutt:
"Sinbad the Sailor" - or how could a fool like me make a fool of you?
What sort of boy is Sanat?
Why?
That boy has no principles
Where does all the money go?
Your salary, the tuition money, Montu's salary...
It's difficult
You'll end up with no home, no money
Sister, herds the money
- Only fifty? -l had to pay a month's hostel fee
He's decided to live in the factory hostel from now on
Leaving home?
Yes, ifs hard to get there from here, and a sportsman needs good food
We could arrange it here
No, I'll come and give you whatever I can spare
Young chap, he has his needs
And his old folks just sit and eat
Go and get the shopping
I saw Sanat at our head office today
He's in the Stores Department. Imagine that, a science student
- What salary? - Three hundred at least
The boss is his pal, you see
Sanat isn't here, he left last month
You'd like to have his address, I suppose
I took a job
Are you leaving?
Have you thought of getting Geeta married?
No, Neeta first. One should think serially
You've educated her, that's why she can run the household
It's less difficult to find a groom for a working girl
Get her married. You'll have time enough to twiddle your thumbs
What will happen here if she leaves?
You can't exploit the poor girl all her life
So what will you eat?
- Where have you been? - Out for a stroll
- Your exams are soon - Exams are beyond me
- What, then? - Marriage
- To whom? Does Ma know? - Sanat
Rushing into the noon sun won't help
Not everyone has patience; something you ought to know
- Any news of Montu? - He's playing a match in Delhi
Geeta was talking about your ear-rings and bangles - you know her
She needs them more than I do
Listen, I didn't really want it like this
- How much yoghurt? - Whatever you think
In the past they married daughters off to the dying. They were barbarians
Now we are educated, civilized
We educate our girl, wring her dry and destroy her future
That's the difference
It's time for tea. I'll get it for you
Childhood seems so far away
And those hills... they don't seem to be of this earth
No one climbs hills any more; they plumb the depths instead
I've got a job in a music school. Don't tell Ma
Continue your studies, too. I'll organize the funds
Will you teach me one of Tagore's songs?
Soft-hearted idiots like you get hurt most!
Then keep me in a glass case, like a wax doll
I’m leaving home
Even though I’m a nobody
I can't take it any more
I’m leaving in protest
You'll go on suffering in silence and gel smothered
Want to learn a song?
I'll have to sing at the wedding
The night the storm blew open my doors
Little did I know that you would come in
Everything went dark
The lamp dimmed
I reached up to the heavens, not knowing why
Little did I know that you would come in
In darkness I lay dreaming
Could t know that the storm was the pennant of your triumph?
In the morning did I see
You standing there
Standing in what was an empty room
Haven't you gone to work?
I’m not well. I’m feverish
You've stopped going to the library
- A letter from Montu's factory - What about?
Last night's shift... he's badly hurt
The machine caught him. This was expected
I’m going to the hospital
This was expected. How else could it end?
The surgeon said he'll need a blood transfusion
Will it cost a lot?
Yes. The crisis isn't over yet
Your skin's very warm. You're running about with such a fever?
- I'm often like this - Every evening? Get an X-ray
She's terribly withdrawn, doctor
She won't say what's on her mind. I sense trouble
She's feverish
All because of Montu's accident
All this running about these last two days
If you can spare the time, please take a look at her
I’ve come to see Geeta
I haven't eaten. Can I have some water?
- Where has she gone? - To bed
Not at the office?
I don't go quite often. I don't like it
And your office?
Montu is in hospital after an accident
I’ve been in a terrible state
He needs a blood transfusion. I hadn't even time to inform you
Neeta's here
So I see. How long have you been here?
It's getting late. I must go
- You let her go? - She didn't come to see me
You're jumping to conclusions
No need
Montu's in hospital after an accident
Neeta came with something on her mind
What's your name, dear girl?
It would be wise to have an X-ray. I can easily arrange it
What if I’m really ill? I’m the family breadwinner
Anyway, please pay for the transfusion
- How's Montu? - All right
What about some tea?
Can you help me to get some money for blood and medicines?
I can't raise any. That's why I came to see Geeta
- How much? - About 150 rupees
I feel dizzy
Rest a little, for your own sake
My own sake... looking like a corpse. It's hard, earning one's bread
I'll give you the money here tomorrow
- There were 150 rupees here -l gave them to Ma
You mean Neeta
-I did. It's my money - An old flame
Getting nasty won't help. I’m warning you
Come to me, my daughter Uma
Let me garland you with flowers
You are the soul of my sad self, mother deliverer
Let me bid you farewell, my daughter
You leave my home desolate. How can I endure your departure?
Heard about Shankar? They say he's made a name for himself in Bombay
What's happened? Making your bed so late, in the outer room?
Inner or outer, what does it matter in this forlorn house?
You won't tell me anything, will you?
Time was, mother, but you didn't hear
There's such a void between us
My life seems unsupportable
Hence this barrier
Must you wail now?
I must work tomorrow
Going to work?
Something I wanted to say
- What can you do about it? -l can't put on an act
Not an act
Penance maybe
Penance? What have you done?
I've never protested against any injustice
That's my sin
I shouldn't have accepted it, surely
Go home
Have you nothing to say?
What can I say?
I’m removed from it all
There's only work now
Neeta, you're whole again. I want to be whole, too
I'll leave my job...
...go back to a life of struggle
I'm not completely lost to a sense of...
I can't bang my head on the wall for ever
Give her this medicine in the evening. Keep an eye on her
She fainted
Are you feeling ill?
I can ask for you to have leave
No, it's useless
A poor Brahman in Mathura
Who had never known happiness
Once begged for a whole day
And returned without a grain
He sat beneath a tree, downcast
He sat beneath a tree and wept
Then the sage Satyanarayana
Approached in the guise of a fakir
Let's have a look
Go away
God doesn't overwhelm you all at once. In time you learn to bear up
The boss himself brought him home
My Montu still has a job
They'll pay good compensation, too. More than 1,000 rupees, isn't it?
On this auspicious day, you're happy with your friends
It's Shankar, isn't it?
Your picture's in the papers. Made it big in Bombay, have you?
You're the pride of Bengal, lad
Let 'em know that Bengal has tigers, too
You get 500 per concert?
No, I don't accept less than 1,200
Your perfumed body, your forehead marked with sandal-paste
Doe-eyed, with sweeping lashes
May your wisdom be for your people
And be happy with your lord and friends
Lots of people talk about you
You must give me a necklace, if it's a boy
Will you never live at home?
If this house is so bad, change it
Will we ever lose the fear of eviction?
Yet here people strike roots, build a nest, forget their troubles
Tell him. I’ve always wanted a two-storey house
Demolish this and build two storeys
The clay-walled room can stay and be restored
My mind... can you restore that, too?
So that I can read Wordsworth again and be fulfilled
Where's Khuki?
In that room. Goes to work, then stays in there. Eats there, too
Talks to no one. Keeps everything hidden
Feverish, ill... she doesn't tell
Even washes her own dishes
Hiding love letters even now?
I was just thinking...
...how each of you has found a niche
Now as in childhood...
...l have no responsibilities
What's the matter?
Khuki has T.B. It's serious
My poor sister
I accuse!
Whom?
No one
I'll arrange treatment for her. I'll stay here tonight
I’ve packed your things
You go away
They dream of two storeys
You've been successful
You've put them on their feet, dear
What would they be without you?
They pity you today
You weren't up to carrying the burden, but you had to
You're the burden yourself now
There's poison in your breath
This room is for the newborn
Go away, dear
Come to me, my daughter Uma
Let me garland you with flowers
You are the soul of my sad self, mother deliverer
Let me bid you farewell now, my daughter
You leave my home desolate, going to your husband's house
How can I endure your departure, my daughter?
Where are you going?
I’ve made the arrangements. A sanatorium in Shillong
And then...
You'll see the hills at last
Does she like the hills?
"Cloud-capped star"
Sanat's letter
I wonder why I kept it so long
Our house has a second storey now. Geeta's son is toddling about
ls he naughty?
Does he jump about a lot?
He's made life hell for father
He climbs the stairs all by himself
The kid's so full of life
He loves climbing the stairs
I wanted to live!
Tell me just once that I'll live
I want to go home, Brother. I want to live!
Did you visit your sister? How is she now?
Why don't you say something?
No one remembers her here any more
She went by every day, sandals flapping
Such a quiet girl. Why did she suffer so much?
Come to me, my daughter Uma
Let me garland you with flowers
You are the soul of my sad self, mother deliverer
Let me bid you farewell now, my daughter
You leave my home desolate, going to your husband's house
How can I endure your departure, my daughter?