It was a proud moment for Indian cinema at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival as Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri returned to the big screen under the Cannes Classics section in its restored 4K glory, and received a heartfelt standing ovation. The screening turned into a moving tribute to one of India’s greatest filmmakers, with a star-studded audience that included two of the film’s original stars, Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal.
Tagore’s daughter, Saba Pataudi, who also attended the event, shared a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram capturing the emotional response from the audience. She wrote, “Standing ovation!!! At Cannes,” highlighting the film’s timeless power and the significance of its restoration.
Filmfare also posted a clip on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “The newly restored version of #SatyajitRay’s #AranyerDinRatri received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.”
The Film Heritage Foundation echoed the sentiment on Facebook, writing, “The newly restored version of Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri (1970) received a resounding standing ovation at the Festival de Cannes 2025… The emotional response from the audience underscored the film’s enduring power and Ray’s timeless storytelling.” The post also noted the presence of Wes Anderson—who led the restoration effort—alongside Tagore, Garewal, and other collaborators.
Check out the video:
The newly restored version of #SatyajitRay’s #AranyerDinRatri received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.#Trending pic.twitter.com/s6JJo0137g
— Filmfare (@filmfare) May 20, 2025
One cinephile commented on the video saying, “For those who were there at this screening in Cannes, how was Robi Ghosh’s iconic dialogue when caught bathing outdoors in essentials ‘Imagined I was in the French Riviera’ received? Haha. Curious.”
The restoration was a collaborative project between The Film Foundation and Italy’s L’Immagine Ritrovata, with filmmaker Wes Anderson taking the lead on bringing the 1970 classic back to life. The film’s original cast included legends like Soumitra Chatterjee, Subhendu Chatterjee, Samit Bhanja, Rabi Ghosh, Sharmila Tagore, Kaberi Bose, Simi Garewal, and Aparna Sen.
Based on the novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay, Aranyer Din Ratri follows four city men on a vacation to the forests of Palamau (now Jharkhand). What begins as a carefree getaway evolves into a reflective journey about class, loneliness, and personal change. Tagore plays Aparna, a chic and intellectual woman, while Garewal’s Duli—a tribal Santhal girl—adds both charm and depth to the narrative.
On the red carpet, Tagore turned heads in an elegant green saree, accompanied by Saba in a vibrant yellow traditional outfit. Simi Garewal looked radiant in her signature white gown, joining Wes Anderson for a celebration that felt as nostalgic as it was cinematic.
More than 50 years after its release, Aranyer Din Ratri proved once again why Ray’s storytelling remains universally resonant – timeless, powerful, and deeply human.