
Critical reengagement with his work will keep Ray relevant: Dhritiman Chaterji
Actor Dhritiman Chaterji, known for his powerful performances in several of Satyajit Ray's seminal films, on Friday (May 2, 2025) observed that the most meaningful tribute to the iconic filmmaker would be a critical re-engagement with his body of work - emphasis, he said, on the word 'critically'.
Speaking to The Hindu on the occasion of Ray's birth anniversary, Mr. Chaterji, who starred in Pratidwandi, Ganashatru, and Agantuk, reflected on the complex legacy of a filmmaker widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in world cinema.
Asked how he would assess Ray's stature among Indian filmmakers, Mr. Chaterji said he was cautious of evaluative rankings, particularly in the realm of art. 'I have always been wary of 'who-is-the-best' type of comparisons in the arts. It depends so much on the vision of the creator as well as the sensibility, ideology, and context of the viewer. That said, Ray's multidisciplinary capabilities - in literature, music, the visual arts, criticism - probably contributed to his extraordinary achievements in cinema,' he said.
'I would stop short of calling him the greatest filmmaker in India,' he added. 'To do so would be intellectually lazy and unfair to other brilliant directors. In any case, for me, such a term is somewhat meaningless. What I most enjoyed about my time with him were the long conversations - many of which extended far beyond cinema.'
At a time when social media platforms were inundated with glowing tributes to the Oscar-honoured auteur, Mr. Chaterji struck a more reflective note. 'I don't know if turning his birthday into an annual ritual, almost a puja, marked by unquestioning adulation, truly helps in keeping his legacy alive. His relevance, to me, lies in two things: a consistent effort to place his work - directly or indirectly - within a broader social and political context; and a deep-seated respect for the intelligence of his audience.'
Recalling a memorable moment from Ganashatru, in which he played a character with ambiguous moral shades - a departure from his earlier roles - Mr. Chaterji shared a quiet anecdote that offered insight into Ray's working style. 'Ray was not one to offer exuberant praise. A simple 'Fine, let's move on' was generally the highest compliment. During Ganashatru, I was unsure, and finally asked him, 'Manikda, is it going alright?' Without looking up from what he was reading, he replied, 'If it's not alright, I'll let you know'. That was praise enough, as far as I was concerned.'
On a lighter note, Mr. Chaterji also recounted a moment of personal embarrassment from the set of their last film together. 'There was a mix-up with the call time, and I arrived late to find Ray, Utpal Dutt, and the crew waiting. Ray simply said, 'Late on the very first day?' That quiet reprimand was enough for me to want to disappear into the background,' he said, adding that he could not recall Ray ever losing his temper on set. 'He was, among other things, an excellent human resource manager. His sets functioned with calm and efficiency.'
As Ray's legacy continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and cinephiles, Mr. Chaterji's reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of critical appreciation over rote reverence - of engaging with the filmmaker not just as a cultural icon, but as a thinker deeply rooted in his time and society.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
40 minutes ago
- First Post
Housefull 5 box office: Sajid Nadiadwala-Akshay Kumar's comedy caper passes Monday test with flying colours, enters Rs 100 crore club in 4 days
Housefull 5 released with two different versions—Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B, each with a different climax read more Sajid Nadiadwala's Housefull 5 continues its winning streak at the box office. The film has passed the crucial Monday test, taking its India nett total to an impressive ₹104.98 crore Nett India. Countless laughs. One Housefull heart. Thank you for showering so much love, cheering loud, and cruising with us! ♥️🙏🏻#Housefull5 In Cinemas NOW! Book your tickets today! 🎟️ #Housefull5 Directed by… — Nadiadwala Grandson (@NGEMovies) June 10, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Housefull 5 is the only Indian film franchise to reach its fifth installment. In a first-of-its-kind move for a big commercial film, Housefull 5 released with two different versions—Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B, each with a different climax. Both versions were released simultaneously across India and international markets. This bold and innovative distribution strategy by Sajid Nadiadwala is being hailed as a game-changer, aimed at surprising audiences and encouraging repeat viewings. Housefull 5 Box Office Collections: Friday (Day 1): ₹24.35 Cr Saturday (Day2):₹32.38 Cr Sunday (Day3): ₹35.10 Monday (Day4):₹13.15 Cr Total India Nett: ₹104.98 Cr Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film is directed by Tarun Mansukhani known for helming Drive and Dostana. The comic caper features the ensemble cast of Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Dino Morea, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangada Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Soundarya Sharma, Chunky Pandey, Nikitin Dheer and Johnny Lever.


Hindustan Times
43 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Deepika Padukone and dad Prakash Padukone give update on their badminton school, to have 100 centres by year end
Actor Deepika Padukone and her badminton star dad Prakash Padukone launched Padukone School of Badminton (PSB) last year and shared an update on it via Instagram on Tuesday. Deepika launches badminton schools Deepika Padukone is the founder of the badminton school while her dad will take the role of advisor and mentor. {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} She wrote in her caption, 'As someone who grew up playing badminton, I've experienced firsthand how much this sport can shape one's life – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through Padukone School of Badminton(PSB), we hope to bring the joy and discipline of Badminton to people from all walks of life, and build a generation that is healthier, more focused, and inspired by sport.' {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} More about the new venture {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} More details in her note reveal the PSB has 75 grassroots coaching centres across 18 Indian cities – including Bengaluru, NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Pune, Nashik, Mysuru, Panipat, Dehradun, Udaipur, Coimbatore, Sangli, and Surat – within its first year of operations. It aims to scale to 100 centres by the end of this year and 250 within the next three years. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} More details in her note reveal the PSB has 75 grassroots coaching centres across 18 Indian cities – including Bengaluru, NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Pune, Nashik, Mysuru, Panipat, Dehradun, Udaipur, Coimbatore, Sangli, and Surat – within its first year of operations. It aims to scale to 100 centres by the end of this year and 250 within the next three years. {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} Prakash Padukone, PSB's mentor and advisor, said: 'Sport is an integral part of growing up – it instils discipline, resilience, and a winning mindset that extends well beyond the court. With PSB, our goal is to make quality coaching accessible and affordable, nurture talent from the grassroots, and set a strong foundation for the future of Indian badminton.' {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} Prakash Padukone, PSB's mentor and advisor, said: 'Sport is an integral part of growing up – it instils discipline, resilience, and a winning mindset that extends well beyond the court. With PSB, our goal is to make quality coaching accessible and affordable, nurture talent from the grassroots, and set a strong foundation for the future of Indian badminton.' {{/usCountry}} {{^usCountry}} PSB works with schools, institutions, and available venues to open local training centres, which support its main Training Program at three High-Performance Centres in Bengaluru. More than 100 coaches have been trained through a standard certification program. With access to good facilities, PSB's system focuses on maintaining consistent coaching, ensuring quality, and spotting and developing talented players. {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} PSB works with schools, institutions, and available venues to open local training centres, which support its main Training Program at three High-Performance Centres in Bengaluru. More than 100 coaches have been trained through a standard certification program. With access to good facilities, PSB's system focuses on maintaining consistent coaching, ensuring quality, and spotting and developing talented players. {{/usCountry}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}} Deepika Padukone was a national-level badminton player before becoming an actor. She played the sport competitively during her school years. Deepika represented Karnataka at the state level and also competed in national tournaments. However, she eventually chose to pursue a career in modeling and acting. She is among the highest paid actors in India right now. She is married to actor Ranveer Singh and has daughter Dua with him. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON {{^userSubscribed}} {{^usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{#usCountry}} {{/usCountry}} {{/userSubscribed}}


News18
43 minutes ago
- News18
Deepika Padukone Launches New Badminton School On Dad Prakash's Birthday; Ranveer Singh Reacts
Padukone School of Badminton will establish 75 grassroots coaching centres across 18 Indian cities. Deepika Padukone and her father, Prakash Padukone, a badminton star, have launched new centres of Padukone School of Badminton (PSB). On Tuesday, the actress took to her Instagram handle and dropped an adorable picture with her father to send him birthday wishes. In the caption of her post, Deepika announced the launch of PSB and praised her father's commitment towards the sport. 'As someone who grew up playing badminton, I've experienced firsthand how much this sport can shape one's life – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through Padukone School of Badminton(PSB), we hope to bring the joy and discipline of Badminton to people from all walks of life, and build a generation that is healthier, more focused, and inspired by sport," she wrote. 'Pappa, those who know you well, know your passion for this sport. That even at 70, all you do is eat, sleep and breathe Badminton. And we are committed to making your passion a reality: Badminton for All!" she added, as she concluded her post by sending birthday wishes to her 'pappa". View this post on Instagram A post shared by दीपिका पादुकोण (@deepikapadukone) Soon after the post was shared, Ranveer Singh, who is married to Deepika Padukone, reacted to it and dropped a smiling and a red-heart emoji in the comments box. Padukone School of Badminton will establish 75 grassroots coaching centres across 18 Indian cities, such as Bengaluru, NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Pune, Nashik, Mysuru, Panipat, Dehradun, Udaipur, Coimbatore, Sangli, and Surat, within its first year of operations. The goal is to expand to 100 centres by the end of this year and reach 250 centres within the next three years. Meanwhile, talking about Deepika Padukone, the actress will soon be sharing the screen with Allu Arjun in Atlee's next movie, which is tentatively titled AA22xA6. Recently, the makers of the film dropped a video welcoming Deepika Padukone on board. The video began with the actress discussing the script with Atlee before they got on the set and started preparing for the movie. From the video, it looked clear that Deepika Padukone will be unleashing her action avatar in AA22xA6. In the caption of the clip, the makers described Deepika as a 'queen" who is ready to 'conquer". First Published: