Aparajito (1956)

“Aparajito” is a 1956 Indian Bengali drama film directed by Satyajit Ray. It is the second part of the Apu Trilogy, following “Pather Panchali” and preceding “Apur Sansar”. The film stars Kanu Banerjee, Karuna Banerjee, Pinaki Sengupta, and Smaran Ghosal. It has a runtime of 110 minutes and is based on the novel “Aparajito” by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay.

Synopsis:

“Aparajito” follows the story of Apu (Pinaki Sengupta), a young boy living in a small village in Bengal. After the death of his father, Apu and his mother Sarbajaya (Karuna Banerjee) move to the holy city of Benares, where Apu attends school and studies to become a priest. However, when Sarbajaya falls ill, Apu is forced to drop out of school and take a job to support his family. As Apu grows older, he becomes increasingly independent and begins to distance himself from his mother and his childhood home.

Review:

“Aparajito” is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving film that explores the themes of family, loss, and the pursuit of individuality. Satyajit Ray's direction is masterful, and the film's stunning cinematography and haunting score capture the beauty and complexity of Apu's world. The film's performances, particularly by Pinaki Sengupta and Karuna Banerjee, are both subtle and powerful, conveying a range of emotions with remarkable depth and nuance. “Aparajito” is a remarkable achievement in Indian cinema, and its place in the canon of world cinema is well-deserved.

Awards:

“Aparajito” won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1957, making it the first Indian film to win a major international award. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1959. The film is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Indian cinema and has been listed among the greatest films of all time by various critics and publications.