Satyajit Ray's restored classic 'Aranyer Din Ratri' to shine at Cannes with Wes Anderson and Sharmila Tagore
Satyajit Ray ’s 1970 Bengali masterpiece ' Aranyer Din Ratri ' is all set to mesmerize the global audience once again, this time at the prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival . The film will be featured in the Cannes Classics section, a space reserved for iconic works that have shaped the language of cinema.
A global restoration effort brings Ray’s vision back to life
The 4K restoration of 'Aranyer Din Ratri' has been carried out through an international collaborative initiative. The effort was spearheaded by Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, in partnership with the Film Heritage Foundation, Janus Films, and the Criterion Collection. According to News18, the project was funded by the Golden Globe Foundation with the original camera and sound negatives sourced from producer Purnima Dutta’s archive. The result is a visually rich revival of a classic that’s more than five decades old.
Wes Anderson leads the tribute on the red carpet
Celebrated filmmaker Wes Anderson, long known to be a devoted admirer of Satyajit Ray’s work, will be presenting the film at Cannes. He described 'Aranyer Din Ratri' as “modern and novelistic,” lauding its exploration of urban-rural divides, gender dynamics and existential self-searching. “Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore deliver unforgettable performances,” Anderson noted in his tribute, calling the film one of Ray’s overlooked gems.
Sharmila Tagore returns to celebrate a personal milestone
Joining Anderson at the Cannes screening will be legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, who played a key role in the film. Recalling her experience, she shared how she juggled between shooting Aradhana and filming for Ray. Despite the sweltering heat and tight daylight shooting windows, she cherished every moment on set. “Manikda’s precision, especially in the memory game scene, left a deep impression on me,” she reflected. “Even today, the film feels as relevant and contemporary as ever.”
A story of friendship, class, and quiet revelations
'Aranyer Din Ratri' follows four young men from Calcutta who embark on a retreat into the forests of Palamau. What begins as an adventurous escape slowly transforms into a mirror held up to their inner flaws and societal conditioning. The film dives deep into themes of privilege, disconnection and self-realization—hallmarks of Ray’s cinematic voice.
Cannes Classics honors Indian cinema once again
This marks the fourth consecutive year that a restored Indian film has found a place in Cannes Classics following Thamp, Ishanou and Manthan. As highlighted, the inclusion of 'Aranyer Din Ratri' reaffirms not only Satyajit Ray’s global legacy but also the growing recognition of India’s film restoration movement.
A global restoration effort brings Ray’s vision back to life
The 4K restoration of 'Aranyer Din Ratri' has been carried out through an international collaborative initiative. The effort was spearheaded by Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, in partnership with the Film Heritage Foundation, Janus Films, and the Criterion Collection. According to News18, the project was funded by the Golden Globe Foundation with the original camera and sound negatives sourced from producer Purnima Dutta’s archive. The result is a visually rich revival of a classic that’s more than five decades old.
Wes Anderson leads the tribute on the red carpet
Celebrated filmmaker Wes Anderson, long known to be a devoted admirer of Satyajit Ray’s work, will be presenting the film at Cannes. He described 'Aranyer Din Ratri' as “modern and novelistic,” lauding its exploration of urban-rural divides, gender dynamics and existential self-searching. “Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore deliver unforgettable performances,” Anderson noted in his tribute, calling the film one of Ray’s overlooked gems.
Sharmila Tagore returns to celebrate a personal milestone
Joining Anderson at the Cannes screening will be legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, who played a key role in the film. Recalling her experience, she shared how she juggled between shooting Aradhana and filming for Ray. Despite the sweltering heat and tight daylight shooting windows, she cherished every moment on set. “Manikda’s precision, especially in the memory game scene, left a deep impression on me,” she reflected. “Even today, the film feels as relevant and contemporary as ever.”
A story of friendship, class, and quiet revelations
'Aranyer Din Ratri' follows four young men from Calcutta who embark on a retreat into the forests of Palamau. What begins as an adventurous escape slowly transforms into a mirror held up to their inner flaws and societal conditioning. The film dives deep into themes of privilege, disconnection and self-realization—hallmarks of Ray’s cinematic voice.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that a restored Indian film has found a place in Cannes Classics following Thamp, Ishanou and Manthan. As highlighted, the inclusion of 'Aranyer Din Ratri' reaffirms not only Satyajit Ray’s global legacy but also the growing recognition of India’s film restoration movement.
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