100 years of Satyajit Ray: 7 films of the late legendary filmmaker that never get old!

Decades after his demise, the cinematic gems of Satyajit Ray are still widely celebrated, due to the outstanding contribution that he made to the world of cinema, amongst many other remarkable things. The world celebrates the 100th birth anniversary of this late legend on May 2, 2021, who was a filmmaker, illustrator, music composer, author and so much more. As we cherish the fond memories of Satyajit Ray that are now left with us, here’s an evergreen list of 7 Ray films you should stream on his birth centenary!

Watch the Satyajit Ray film Mahanagar here:

1. Mahanagar

Mahanagar is a brilliant representation of the various subconscious thoughts and beliefs that are attached to societal gender roles. Ray manages to showcase these insecurities and the conflicts of interest that they cause, through the story of Subrata Mazumdar (Anil Chatterjee) and Arati Mazumdar (Madhabi Mukherjee).

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2. Sonar Kella

Sonar Kella stars actors Soumitra Chatterjee, Santosh Dutta, Ajoy Banerjee, Kamu Mukherjee, Shailen Mukherjee, and even a six-year-old Kushal Chakraborty, who won a National Award for his role. This 1974 film is one of Satyajit Ray’s Feluda films that continues to remain a favourite amongst children and adults alike!

3. Joi Baba Felunath

Satyajit Ray’s Joi Baba Felunath stars Soumitra Chatterjee, Santosh Dutta, Siddartha Chatterjee, and Utpal Dutt in key roles. This 1979 film is a must-watch for children, while adults enjoy it too. Another Feluda film, Joi Baba Felunath follows the private detective’s adventures as he embarks upon another of his highly engrossing and mysterious cases.

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4. Nayak

Nayak starred Uttam Kumar as a Bengali film superstar named Arindam Mukherjee, and Sharmila Tagore as a Bengali magazine editor, Aditi, respectively. Satyajit Ray showcased his take on the reality of a film star’s life and everything that goes on into becoming one through this 1966 film Nayak.

5. Charulata

Satyajit Ray’s Charulata is the recipient of the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. Renowned actors Soumitra Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee, and Shailen Mukherjee bring to life, Ray’s unparalleled depiction of the many ways a woman’s desires often remain neglected, no matter which era they may belong to.

6. Heerak Rajar Deshe

A sequel of Ray’s Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, Heerak Rajar Deshe is a 1980 film. The film holds a huge place in its audience’s hearts due to its evergreen music, well-timed incorporation of entertaining rhymes, and a beautiful take on setting right the otherwise tyrannical Heerak Raja.

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7. Mahapurush

Mahapurush stars Charuprakash Ghosh, Rabi Ghosh, Prasad Mukherjee, and Gitali Roy in pivotal roles. The 1965 Ray classic showcases the ways in which fraudulent people often take wrongful advantage of others while blindsiding them with fake wit and charm. It is a timeless film that people of all ages can always thoroughly enjoy.