Remembering the legend: Lesser known facts about Satyajit Ray

Honorary Oscar

On his death bed, Ray was honoured with Honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Honorary Ph.d from Oxford University

After Charlie Chaplin, Ray was the second person in the world who was honoured with a Honorary Doctorate by Oxford University.

Inception of Sharmila Tagore’s career

It was Ray who discovered Sharmila Tagore and cast her in his cult film 'Apur Sansar'. We all know how Tagore touched the sky later. She owes it to Ray!

Inspiration in filmmaking

It was Vittorio De Sica's iconic film 'Bicycle Thieves' that inspired Ray the most. He later shared how he came out determined from the theatre, to make a film.

Establishment of Calcutta Film Society

Ray founded the 'Calcutta Film Society' in 1947 with like-minded cinema-lovers. They arranged screenings, discussed and read about cinema.

Introduction to Oriental Art

Ray had studied Fine Arts at Vishva Bharati University (founded by Rabindra Nath Tagore). Though he was initially reluctant to study there, his mother's insistence and his eagerness to be in touch with Tagore led him there. Later, he was deeply moved by the institution and its ideologies. He learnt to appreciate oriental art and was trained by famous painters Nandalal Bose and Benode Bihari Mukherjee.

Steven Spielberg’s ‘ET’ inspired by Ray’s story?

Ray had a planned a film called 'The Alien', loosely resembling his own short story 'Banku Babur Bondhu'; it featured a friendly alien who lands on the earth. He discussed the script with a number of film personalities from Hollywood. However, it didn't materialize. After years, Steven Spielberg's 'ET' came out which had startling similarities with Ray's 'The Alien'. Though Spielberg never admitted that he was inspired by Ray.

First Bengali colour film

Satyajit Ray's 'Kanchenjunga' was the first ever Bengali colour film and probably the first Indian anthological film also.

Fonts created by Ray

Ray was an expert in calligraphy and designing fonts. He has four fonts registered in his credit; Ray Roman, Ray Bizarre, Daphnis and Holiday Script.

The long-time sweetheart!

Satyajit Ray was married to Bijaya Das (later Bijaya Ray), who happened to be his first cousin in relationship.