# Sagarika (1956 film)

Sagarika is a 1956 Bengali romantic drama film directed by Agradoot. The film has music composed by Robin Chatterjee. The film stars Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen as the leads, with actors Jamuna Sinha, Namita Sinha, Kamal Mitra, Pahadi Sanyal, Jahar Ganguli, Anup Kumar in the supporting roles. The film became a huge successful at the box office.

## Plot

Arun, a bright medical student, wants to fulfill his dad's last wish to go to England and become a doctor, in order to come back to treat the people of his village. He stayed in Shipra's house. Shipra, a naughty and insensitive girl, wants to marry Arun. At college, Arun meets Sagarika and falls in love with her.
Later, a college student runs and makes fun of this, greatly offending Sagarika. Shipra, overcome with jealousy, sends Arun's poem to Sagarika with a love letter. Sagarika complains to the principal, who cancels the state scholarship which would have sent Arun to England. Arun understands Shipra's conspiracy and leaves. He goes back to his village to his uncles, and he is determined to go to England.
A repentant Shipra, confesses to Sagarika which made her to break down. Sagarika's uncle brings his daughter Basanti to her asking her about Arun who has gone to practice medicine in England. Arun had become engaged to Basanti, whose father had paid for the expenses. Sagarika in love with Arun takes up the responsibilities. She wrote to Arun in Basanti's guise and the couple comes close to each other through their correspondance. Meanwhile, Basanti is enticed by a conning cheat Ajit, who promises to marry her. Arun passes with flying colours but met with an accident and becomes blind. His hopes are dashed. He returns to India. Basanti refuses to marry a blind man.
Kedar, Arun's old friend takes Arun to his house and Sagarika pretends to be Basanti, and takes care of him . A famous doctor from Vienna agrees to operate Arun's eyes. At the prospect of Arun's recovery, Basanti's father wishes to revive the marriage proposal. Basanti agrees. Sagarika prepares to disappear after Arun's operation. Post-operation, Arun touches the real Basanti and knows her immediately not to be his beloved. The doctor fears that the excitement would cost his eyes again. Arun welcomes blindness if he gets Basanti. Kedar frightened, calls Sagarika, who Arun knows to be his Basanti immediately. He sees Sagarika in front of him. The couples are reconciliated.

## Cast

* Uttam Kumar as Arun
* Suchitra Sen as Sagarika
* Jamuna Sinha as Basanti
* Namita Sinha as Sipra
* Kamal Mitra as Professor of Medical College
* Jahar Ganguly as Basanti's father
* Pahadi Sanyal as Arun's uncle
* Anup Kumar
* Jiben Bose as Kedarda

## Production

During the shooting of the film producer Sukumar Kumar become ill, leading to shooting being stopped for a lack of money. Kamal Mitra, Pahadi Sanyal shot a portion of the film but was not able to continue. Director Agradoot told Uttam Kumar, then Kumar give to him 30,000 rupees to continue the shooting.

## Soundtrack

Robin Chatterjee composed the songs for the film with Gouri Prasanna Majumdar, Pranab Roy and Nitai Bhattachariya being songwriters.

## Reception

The film become an all-time blockbuster and ran for 24 weeks constantly, which is highest for any Uttam Suchitra film.

## Remakes

The film was remade in Hindi as Prem Patra in 1962, starring Sashi Kapoor and Sadhana. It was also remade in Telugu as Aradhana (1962 film), starring Akkineni Nageshwara Rao & Savitri (actress).