Kareena Kapoor Khan is beaming with pride as her mother-in-law, Sharmila Tagore, prepares to grace the Cannes Film Festival 2025. The legendary actress will be attending the world premiere of the restored version of Satyajit Ray's acclaimed film, Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest), in which she played the lead role back in 1970.
Expressing her admiration and support, Kareena took to Instagram to reshare a post celebrating the film's upcoming premiere at the prestigious film festival. In a heartfelt tribute, she simply wrote "Legend" with a red heart emoji, letting one word convey her immense respect and love for her mother-in-law.
Aranyer Din Ratri, directed by the iconic Satyajit Ray, is a Bengali adventure drama adapted from Sunil Gangopadhyay's novel of the same name. The film features an ensemble cast, including Sharmila Tagore, Kaberi Bose, Simi Garewal, and Soumitra Chatterjee. The narrative revolves around four young men from Calcutta who decide to escape the city and seek solace in the forests. Their experiences and interactions with women they meet during their getaway form the crux of the story.
Sharmila Tagore has shared her excitement about the film's restoration and its screening at Cannes. She fondly remembers the time spent with her co-actors and Satyajit Ray's meticulous direction, particularly highlighting the memorable memory game sequence. "It's wonderful that Manik Da's Aranyer Din Ratri has been restored and will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year," she stated. "I have wonderful memories of the time spent with my co-actors, and Manikda's precision, especially in how he shot the memory game sequence, was incredible. I can't wait to watch the restored film".
Tagore also believes that the film's themes are timeless and will resonate with contemporary audiences worldwide. "Aranyer Din Ratri is such a contemporary film, and I'm sure it will resonate with new audiences worldwide today," she said.
The Film Heritage Foundation is presenting the Cannes 2025 premiere of Aranyer Din Ratri. This screening is not just a celebration of cinematic history but also a testament to the enduring legacy of Satyajit Ray and the remarkable talent of Sharmila Tagore.
The Cannes Film Festival 2025 is shaping up to be a significant event for Indian cinema, with several Indian celebrities expected to make their presence felt. Besides Sharmila Tagore, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Ishaan Khatter, and Janhvi Kapoor are also anticipated to attend. Furthermore, filmmaker Payal Kapadia, winner at Cannes 2024, will be a jury member this year, alongside other prominent figures from the global film industry. The festival is scheduled to take place from May 13 to 24, 2025.
