Oct. 11, 1956|India|110 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Bangla;Drama
Description: **Aparajito (1956): A Tale of Struggle and Separation**
Set in the 1920s, Aparajito follows the journey of Apu and his family. After leaving their rural home in Bengal, Apu (Pinaki Sen Gupta) and his parents settle in Varanasi, where his father, Harihar (Kanu Banerjee), works as a priest. Harihar thrives in his new role, engaging in prayers, singing, and performing rituals along the sacred Ganges. However, tragedy strikes when he falls ill and passes away, leaving his wife, Sarbajaya (Karuna Banerjee), to support the family as a maid.
With the help of a great-uncle, Apu and Sarbajaya return to Bengal and settle in the village of Mansapota. Apu begins training as a priest but dreams of attending the local school. His mother eventually allows him to pursue his education, where he excels and gains the attention of the headmaster and a visiting dignitary.
As a teenager, Apu (now played by Smaran Ghosal) earns a scholarship to study in Kolkata. Though Sarbajaya feels abandoned and fearful, she reluctantly supports his decision. Apu moves to the city, balancing school with work at a printing press to make ends meet. Over time, he adapts to urban life, feeling increasingly disconnected from his rural roots.
Sarbajaya, longing for her son, grows lonely and falls seriously ill. She hides her condition from Apu to avoid disrupting his studies. When he finally learns of her poor health, he returns to the village only to find that she has passed away. His great-uncle asks him to stay and perform her last rites, but Apu insists on carrying them out in Kolkata. He then resumes his journey back to the city, marking a poignant moment of separation and growth.
Cast director: Satyajit Ray
Cast actor: Kanu Bannerjee, Karuna Banerjee, Smaran Ghosal, Pinaki Sengupta, Santi Gupta, Ramani Sengupta, Ranibala, Sudipta Roy, Ajay Mitra, Charuprakash Ghosh
Original name: অপরাজিত