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The legacy of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray continues to resonate on the global stage, as his 1970 classic Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest) is all set to make its long-overdue debut at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

More than five decades after its original release, the film will be screened for the first time at Cannes in the prestigious Cannes Classics section, which celebrates restored cinematic treasures from around the world.

Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri to Premiere at Cannes 2025

From competing at the 20th Berlin Film Festival in 1970 to now earning a place at Cannes 2025, Aranyer Din Ratri has stood the test of time as a cinematic gem. The Cannes screening will be graced by two of the film’s stars, Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal. Adding an international spotlight to the event, celebrated filmmaker Wes Anderson will introduce the film.

The return of this Ray masterpiece to the global stage has been made possible through a meticulous restoration process, funded by the Golden Globe Foundation. The original camera and sound negatives, preserved by the film’s producer Purnima Dutta, played a vital role in the restoration. The effort underscores the increasing global focus on preserving South Asian cinematic heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

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This screening also marks the fourth year in a row that a restoration by the Film Heritage Foundation has featured at Cannes. Earlier entries include Thamp, Ishanou, and Manthan.

The Story of Aranyer Din Ratri

Adapted from a novel by renowned Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay, the film follows the journey of four urban men who retreat into the forests of Jharkhand for a short vacation. What begins as a carefree escape gradually deepens into a nuanced exploration of class dynamics, gender relations, and the collision of tradition with modernity. The cast includes Sharmila Tagore, Simi Garewal, Soumitra Chattopadhyay, and Aparna Sen.

Simi Garewal to Walk the Cannes Red Carpet

Simi Garewal, one of the film’s lead actors, will walk the Cannes red carpet on May 19. Ahead of the much-anticipated event, she gave fans a sneak peek into her preparation through an Instagram video showing her browsing outfits for the occasion.

She wrote, “So I've finally decided as to who will design my ensemble for the red carpet in Cannes!! It's on 19th May, when we present my film with Ray, 'Arranyer Din Ratri', restored by Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese and the Heritage Foundation. Because I love their aesthetics... I've chosen @karleofashion.”