Satyajit Ray’s ‘Ashani Sanket' to be screened for free at the NFDC-National Film Archive of India

On the 50th anniversary of the release of Satyajit Ray’s ‘Ashani Sanket’, the National Film Development Corporation-National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI) has announced that it is going to hold a public screening of this iconic movie’s 4K restored version.

The film explores the realities of the Bengal famine through the lives of Gangacharan Chakrabarty (played bySoumitra Chatterjee) and his young wife (played by Babita). The film won the Golden Bear for Best Film at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival in 1973.

Under the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM), the diligent efforts of the NFDC-NFAI are making these decades-old hits accessible to the public. Earlier this year, NFDC-NFAI celebrated Dev Anand’s centenary by screenings “C. I. D.” (1956), “Guide” (1965), “Jewel Thief” (1967), and “Johny Mera Naam” (1970).

Shri. Prithul Kumar, Managing Director of the NFDC-NFAI said, “The NFDC-NFAI has preserved two 35mm release prints of Ashani Sanket in its collection, one with subtitles embossed and one color faded, both sources unsuitable for restoration. The original camera negative has not been traceable for quite some time. Even the producer’s family had little idea about the whereabouts of the negatives. Thankfully, the Information and Cultural Affairs (I&CA) Department of the West Bengal Government preserved a good-quality 35mm release print of Ashani Sanket. Like the NFDC-NFAI had previously collaborated with the I&CA Dept. W. B. Govt. to restore other Satyajit Ray movies, once again the two organizations worked together to make this restoration possible. The 35mm release print of the film was scanned in 4K resolution for this restoration. Among all the Ray films, perhaps Ashani Sanket has been available in the worst quality on various online platforms. Hence, this 4K restoration acquires even more significance.”

The screening will be hosted at the main theater of the NFDC-NFAI, Law College Road, premises in Pune on Saturday, December 30th, at 6 p.m. The screening is in Bengali with English subtitles and it is non-commercial and on a first-come, first-served basis.