Swapan Mullick, film critic and former director of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on on Satyajit Ray's 92nd birth anniversary.
Q. Which movie do you think is his worst movie? Asked by: Kamya
A. Ray never fell below the standard he had set for himself. But there was a point towards the end when ill-health took a toll and he couldn't work the way he had always did. In that context, films like Ganashatru and Shakha Proshakha were among his less important films.
Q. What were the influences on Satyajit Ray as a film maker? Asked by: Anu
A. The American cinema of the 30s that thrived on excellent narratives and standout performances had influenced him although he adapted the Hollywood style to Indian conditions with great finesse.
Q. How would you compare him to Ritwik Ghatak? I personally like Ghatak more. I think he is more modern and his works cut more deep. Asked by: J Joseph
A. Ritwik Ghatak had a style of his own and worked within the limited concept of the tragedy of Partition. His style was incisive and hard-hitting. Ray, on the other hand, had more variety and looked at the human experience on a broader canvas and enriched each idea with his own insights and cinematic idiom.
Q. Should he be awarded Bharat Ratna like lata ji? Asked by: Deepak
A. Ray was conferred the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Q. Was he the Best filmmaker India produced? Asked by: Raghu
A. There may be different opinions on who was the best but if one looks for a consensus across the country in terms of films that speak a universal language, Ray would stand out as the most important face of Indian cinema. Penelope Houston had said in her book - "As long as someone doesn't come along to change it, Ray's Bengal will continue to be cinema's India''. It is debatable if anyone has indeed come along to change hat impression.
Q. Have you ever seen any Ray influence in a foreign film? Asked by: Dhiraj
A. There may not have been influences as such but Ray did have ardent admirers like Kurosawa.
Q. Also the story about Ray's project that finally became Speilberg's ET. Your comments. Ray himself had said that there were similarities. Asked by: Rupam
A. There is the strange story about how his script of The Guru which he had planned to make in Hollywood got lost and then surfaced in bits and pieces in other films. Ray never mentioned the films but the assumption is that ET was one of those films.
Q. Hi Mr Mullick. How would you rate Kanchanjunga as a Ray film? What a brilliant ensemble of actors, each one of them No? Asked by: Jiten
A. Kanchenjungha was the first film Ray made on an original idea and, yes, what a brilliant script with dialogues one can never forget woven into the environment in Darjeeling where the film was shot entirely. The cast comprised newcomers and responded excellently to the challenge of a difficult subject.
Q. What is his influence on present filmmakers? Asked by: smriti
A. The younger generation of film-makers tend to put Ray in a classical mould while indulging in innovative treatment. But there are many others who have seen the Ray films so frequently that influences creep in without anyone noticing it.
Q. Your favourite Satyajit Ray movie and why? Asked by: leena
A. I have several favourites like 'Aparajito', 'Kanchenjungha', 'Mahanagar' and 'Joi Baba Felunath'. But if I were to put my finger on one film that I would see again and again for its sheer warmth, subtlety, cinematic treatment and unforgettable performances, it would be 'Charulata'.
Q. What has been his biggest contribution to cinema? Asked by: Harry
A. Ray's biggest contribution to cinema in India is that he has left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of film makers and film lovers.
Q. This is an era of remakes? Which Satyajit Ray movie would be the best remake? Asked by: tanushree
A. I would not like Ray films to be remade for the simple reason that it would be too shocking.
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