“Anything signed by Satyajit Ray must be cherished"
More than five decades after its original release, Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed film Aranyer Din Ratri made a triumphant return to Cannes.
The Bengali classic was screened at the 78th Cannes Film Festival under the prestigious Cannes Classics section.
It was presented in a stunning 4K restoration that highlights the film’s enduring brilliance.
The restoration project was spearheaded by filmmaker Wes Anderson, who drove the collaborative effort between The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, Film Heritage Foundation, Janus Films and The Criterion Collection.
Filmmaker Wes Anderson, a longtime admirer of Satyajit Ray, personally introduced the screening at Cannes.
Anderson described the film as a “nearly-forgotten gem” that deserves a lasting place in world cinema.
He praised Aranyer Din Ratri as another “masterpiece from the master”.
Anderson stated: “Anything signed by Satyajit Ray must be cherished and preserved.”
Adding to the occasion’s charm, Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal, who starred in the film, appeared on the red carpet.
Sharmila, accompanied by her daughter Saba Ali Khan, wore a deep green saree, while Saba chose a bold yellow ethnic outfit.
Simi Garewal, known for her signature white ensembles, appeared in a graceful white gown by Indian couture label Karleo.
Originally released in 1970, Aranyer Din Ratri remains one of Satyajit Ray’s most nuanced works.
Adapted from a novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay, the film follows four educated city men on a weekend trip to the forests of Palamau.
Their casual getaway turns into an introspective experience as they encounter women who quietly unravel their egos, illusions, and pretences.
Ray uses this forest retreat to explore deeper themes – urban alienation, caste conflict, male entitlement, and the contrasts between modernity and tradition.
Wes Anderson described it as a film about “negotiations between castes and sexes, urbans and rurals, selfish men and their lack of wisdom, and women who see through them.”
Sharmila Tagore’s performance as Aparna, a refined and intellectually sharp woman, remains one of her finest.
Simi Garewal played Duli, a tribal girl whose silence and presence brought a profound counterbalance to the male-driven narrative.
The ensemble cast also featured cinematic legends Soumitra Chatterjee, Subhendu Chatterjee, Samit Bhanja, Robi Ghosh, and Aparna Sen.
The screening at Cannes Classics marked not only the film’s restored visual beauty but also a renewed appreciation for Ray’s timeless storytelling.
With this restoration, Aranyer Din Ratri finds itself once again part of the global conversation.