Veteran actresses Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal were hailed as “royalty” as they attended the Cannes Film Festival 2025 on Monday evening for the screening of Satyajit Ray’s iconic 1970 movie “Aranyer Din Ratri”.
A 4K restored version of the Bengali-language film, titled “Days and Nights in the Forest” in English, is being showcased at the 78th edition of the prestigious gala under the Cannes Classics section.
Wes, a long-time admirer of Ray, introduced the movie ahead of its screening. Aranyer Din Ratri is presented and restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at L’Immagine Ritrovata in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), Janus Films, and the Criterion Collection. The funding was provided by the Golden Globe Foundation.
Wes said, “Anything signed by Satyajit Ray must be cherished and preserved; but the nearly-forgotten ‘Days and Nights in the Forest’ is a special/particular gem. Made in 1970. Modern and novelistic. Ray worked in terrain perhaps more familiar to Cassavetes. A clash/negotiation between castes and sexes. Urbans and rurals. Selfish men and their hopes and cruelties and spectacular lack of wisdom. Women who see through them. The great Soumitra Chatterjee: lost but searching. The great Sharmila Tagore: mysterious, cerebral, mesmerizing. From the master, another masterpiece.”
Sharmila made an appearance on the red carpet in a green saree along with her daughter, jewellery designer Saba Ali Khan, who opted for an all-yellow ethnic ensemble. Simi Garewal was dressed in a gown by Indian couture label Karleo in her signature white colour.
Aranyer Din Ratri, which explores themes of alienation, class, and modernity, follows the story of four city-bred men who escape to the forests of Palamau (now in Jharkhand) for a carefree holiday, only to undergo a journey of self-discovery. In the film, Sharmila plays Aparna, a cool and elegant city woman, whereas Simi essays the role of a tribal Santhal girl named Duli.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates
Click Here for Chhattisgarh News
Click Here for Entertainment News