Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri (now restored in 4K), starring Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore, Simi Garewal, Samit Bhanja, Aparna Sen, and others in lead roles, is based on the novel of the same name by Sunil Gangopadhyay. The film will be screened in the Cannes Classics section. Sharmila Tagore, who played the cool and intellectual Aparna in the film, will attend the special screening at the French Riviera. Along with her, Purnima Dutta, the producer of the film, was initially expected to attend the festival. Previously, Ray’s Pratidwandi, also produced by her, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022. Film Heritage Foundation’s Shivendra Singh Dungarpur will also be joining the screening.
“I have known about this wonderful news for the past month, but the official announcement came on Wednesday. I had thought I would attend the festival, but given the current global situation, I am not in the mental state to participate in anything—it feels like a battlefield all around, and I’ve lost all interest. Still, I’m delighted by the news. Pratidwandi, our previous film, was screened at this prestigious festival, and now this. Our third film, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, has gone for restoration, and we are hopeful it will make it to Cannes next year—then the circle will be complete,” said Purnima with a smile.
She added, “Rinku (Sharmila Tagore) will be attending the festival, and I’m sure the audience will have many questions. Rinku will be able to answer them, as she was associated with the film from the beginning. I could have answered them too, but I’m not going. My daughter and daughter-in-law will be attending the festival on my behalf. The restored version of Aranyer Din Ratri is beautiful to watch, and I’m confident the audience will have a wonderful time. The film’s theme is modern and layered, with rich details. Ray’s masterful storytelling, subtle character development, and insightful exploration of human nature against the backdrop of nature will surely resonate with the audience when the film is screened on May 19.”Aranyer Din Ratri was also nominated for the Golden Bear at the 20th Berlin International Film Festival.
