The Global Impact of Satyajit Ray
Today marks the 104th birth anniversary of Satyajit Ray, one of the most influential filmmakers to ever touch celluloid. So influential, in fact, that many of our inspirations were once shaped by his works. And if we were to name them, it might seem almost unbelievable that an Indian filmmaker could have had such a far-reaching impact. Yet, Ray’s cinema travelled across the borders, languages, and cultures. Even thoughts his films are often rooted in the quiet, everyday life of Bengali households, Ray still manages to speak something universal, by capturing the lives of ordinary people and their emotions in its purest form. Whether it was Akira Kurosawa marveling at his mastery or Martin Scorsese crediting his works as a treasures, Ray’s presence can be felt in corners of the world that never even spoke his language. And yet, he spoke to them all.
In his own words,“I never imagined that any of my films, especially Pather Panchali, would be seen throughout this country or in other countries. The fact that they have indicates that, if you’re able to portray universal feelings, universal relations, emotions, and characters, you can cross certain barriers & reach out to others, even non-Bengalis…Cinema’s characteristic forte is its ability to capture and communicate the intimacies of the human mind. Somehow I feel that an ordinary person–the man in the street if you like–is a more challenging subject for exploration than people in the heroic mold. It is the half shades, the hardly audible notes that I want to capture and explore. My films are about human beings, human relationships, and social problems. I think it is possible for everyone to relate to these issues.”
At a time when Indian Cinema was largely dominated by the mainstream melodrama and spectacles, Ray emerged as revolutionary by turning his camera into the poverty and nothingness of the everyday. With his debut Pather Panjali, he challenged the existing conventions and introduced a new language of cinema which was very alien to the audiences. He showed them a quiet, tender, and deeply human world which was very familiar but unlike anything they had seen on the screen before. There were no grand gestures, no heroic acts, but life itself, a child’s curiosity, a mother’s silent despair. And yet it was this human experience in his stories that made him reach beyond Bengal, and helped the global masters to recognize a filmmaker in him.
Ray’s breakthrough wasn’t just an artistic achievement; it had a larger impact, which opened people’s eyes to a new kind of cinema that broke the long-held stereotypes about Indian films. Pather Panchali, the first installment of his very acclaimed ‘Apu Trilogy’, won the Best Human Document award at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival, marking the beginning of the golden era of Indian Cinema. Akira Kurosawa, one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, who took inspiration from Ray’s storytelling to create one of his masterpieces, “Ikiru”, famously said, “Not to have seen the cinema of Satyajit Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon”.
Martin Scorsese, another all-time great auteur, has expressed his admiration for Ray’s ability to capture human emotions with subtlety and depth several times and has credited Ray’s works for shaping his understanding of cinematic language and storytelling techniques. Scorsese has also praised Ray for portraying a perspective on India which is fresh and insightful for International audiences. He has also acknowledged that his most celebrated character, Travis Bickle (played by Robert DeNiro) from his movie Taxi Driver was influenced by the movie “Abhijaan” by Ray. In Scoresese’s words, “Ray’s magic, the simple poetry of his images and their emotional impact, will always stay with me. We all need to see the films of Satyajit Ray and re-see them, again and again. Taken all together, they’re one of our greatest treasures.”
Even decades later, Ray’s influence continues to exist through the works of contemporary filmmakers. Wes Anderson, known for his unique vision, precise composition, and visual symmetry, has openly acknowledged Ray’s impact on his craft. Influenced by the world he has witnessed through Ray’s works, particularly the ‘World of Apu’, inspired him to visit India several times and ultimately paid his tribute to Ray’s cinematic style through his film, The Darjeeling Limited. While The Darjeeling Limited is a prominent example, Wes’s admiration for Ray is clear in most of his other films as well.
Satyajt Ray’s Legacy goes far beyond his filmography. His presence redefined the possibilities of Indian Cinema, offering a new cinematic language rooted in truth and emotions. He paved the way for generations of filmmakers to choose honesty over spectacle. Students across the world continue to learn from his humanity, empathy, and emotional sensibilities that transcend the medium.
Here’s to honouring one of Indian Cinema’s greatest treasures on his 104th birth anniversary. Thank you for deciding to make motion pictures. We will always be indebted to you for putting Indian Cinema on the map.
Written by – Nived Sathyan
Edited by – Rupam Shukla
