New Delhi: Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's feature “Pather Panchali” has been declared as the best Indian film of all time by the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI).
A poll conducted by the India chapter of the FIPRESCI led to the name of the top 10 films in the history of Indian cinema.
The 1955 film has received the number one slot in the top ten films in the history of Indian cinema list. The poll was conducted in secret, and involved 30 members.
Based on Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay’s 1929 Bengali novel of the same name, "Pather Panchali" was Ray’s directorial debut. It starred Subir Banerjee, Kanu Banerjee, Karuna Banerjee, Uma Dasgupta, Pinaki Sengupta and Chunibala Devi.
It was the first installment in his Apu Trilogy of films. Pather Panchali is a story of a young boy, Apu, and life in his small Indian village. His parents are quite poor – his father Harihar, gave away the family’s fruit orchard to settle his brother’s debts while his mother Sarbojaya bears the brunt of the family’s situation. The film revolves around the ray of hope Apu's family survives through despite hundreds of hurdles. The film went on to win 11 international awards, and is still considered a masterpiece.
Ritwik Ghatak’s 1960 drama “Meghe Dhaka Tara” (Bengali) grabbed the second spot and was followed by Mrinal Sen’s 1969 drama “Bhuvan Shome” (Hindi). Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s 1981 drama “Elippathayam” (Malayalam), Girish Kasaravalli’s 1977 film “Ghatashraddha” (Kannada), MS Sathyu’s 1973 movie “Garm Hava” (Hindi) are number four, five and six on the list respectively.
Ray’s 1964 film “Charulata” (Bengali) is at the seventh spot followed by Shyam Benegal’s 1974 film “Ankur” (Hindi), Guru Dutt’s 1954 film “Pyaasa” (Hindi) and 1975 blockbuster “Sholay” (Hindi), directed by Ramesh Sippy.
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) was founded in 1930.