Satyajit Ray Classics Undergo 4K Restoration, Captivating New Audiences

The recent 4K restoration of Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed film, ‘Aranyer Din Ratri’, has generated significant enthusiasm among film enthusiasts, particularly younger audiences. The film was showcased at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival on Saturday, and its renewed visual quality has sparked interest in other Ray classics. Restoration efforts are currently underway for ‘Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne’, with work on ‘Kanchenjunga’ scheduled to begin shortly.

The restoration of ‘Aranyer Din Ratri’ was a collaborative effort involving The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, the Film Heritage Foundation, The Criterion Collection, and Janus Films. It premiered at the prestigious Cannes Classics 2025 and made its way to Kolkata, where it was accompanied by a panel discussion and screening at Priya Cinema. Attendees praised the restoration for enhancing the film’s visual and intellectual appeal, with particular admiration for the performance of Rabi Ghosh.

The audience also engaged in discussions about the performances of renowned actors like Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore, and Simi Garewal, while some noted the underappreciated talent of Kaberi Basu. Arijit Dutta of Priya Cinema expressed satisfaction with the enthusiastic response from younger viewers. “Some of Ray’s earlier classics were available on various digital platforms, often in poor quality,” he explained. “With the restoration available now, Ray’s works are being shown on the big screen once again. The younger generation is curious about these films, while for older audiences, it brings back nostalgia.”

Purnima Dutta, who oversaw the preservation of the original camera and sound negatives for the restoration, emphasized the film’s lasting impact. “Each time I watch it, I discover something new,” she said, expressing excitement about the commencement of work on ‘Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne’. A celebration was held in her honor for Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of the Film Heritage Foundation following the screening.

Director Sandip Ray commended the restoration of ‘Aranyer Din Ratri’ and confirmed that restoration for ‘Kanchenjunga’ would begin soon. He noted that the film is in the public domain and expressed enthusiasm for its restoration. “Shivendra has located the granddaughter of the producer of ‘Seemabaddha’ in the US,” he added, highlighting ongoing efforts to restore Ray’s significant body of work.

Dungarpur conveyed his eagerness for the restoration of Ray’s first color film, stating, “Sandip-da is going to give us a letter within a week.” He also mentioned plans to collaborate with the British Film Institute, the Academy, and the National Film Archive of India for the restoration of ‘Kanchenjunga’. Dungarpur plans to reach out to Pooja Rana, who holds the rights for ‘Seemabaddha’, to discuss potential restoration efforts.

Film enthusiast Ashok Viswanathan, who attended the recent screening, expressed his intrigue about ‘Kanchenjunga’. “One film I am always curious about is ‘Kanchenjunga’ as my father shared many anecdotes about it,” he remarked. “This film completely eschews the traditional linear narrative while maintaining unity of time. That it is being restored is wonderful news.”

The renewed interest in Satyajit Ray’s films and the commitment to restoring his classics not only preserves his legacy but also introduces his remarkable storytelling to new generations of viewers. As restoration projects move forward, fans of world cinema can look forward to experiencing these cinematic treasures in their full glory once again.