Satyajit Ray (1921–1992) was a legendary filmmaker, writer, and artist from West Bengal, widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in the history of world cinema. Born in Kolkata into a prominent literary family, Ray initially worked as a graphic designer before moving into filmmaking. His debut film, “Pather Panchali” (1955), marked a turning point in Indian cinema. It won international acclaim and is considered a masterpiece, followed by the critically acclaimed Apu Trilogy (Pather Panchali, Aparajito, and Apur Sansar).
Ray’s films are known for their humanism, realism, and deep understanding of Indian life and culture. He tackled themes ranging from poverty and social injustice to modernity and tradition. His other notable works include Charulata, Shatranj Ke Khilari, Jalsaghar, and Nayak.