Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore is set to attend the 2025 Cannes Film Festival for a very special occasion — the screening of the newly restored 4K version of Satyajit Ray’s iconic film Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest). The film will be showcased under the prestigious Cannes Classics section, which celebrates timeless cinematic masterpieces.
Originally released in 1970, Aranyer Din Ratri is based on Sunil Gangopadhyay’s novel and is considered one of Ray’s most critically acclaimed works. The film featured a stellar ensemble cast, including Soumitra Chatterjee, Subhendu Chatterjee, Samit Bhanja, Robi Ghosh, Aparna Sen, Sharmila Tagore, and Simi Garewal. Both Tagore and Garewal will walk the Cannes red carpet this year to commemorate the film’s return to the global stage.
Reflecting on the honor, Tagore expressed her joy at being part of the moment: “It is wonderful that Manik Da’s Aranyer Din Ratri has been restored and will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year. This is a very special moment for me and I am very happy that I will be in Cannes to present the film at the premiere.” 
The actress also shared memories of shooting the film, recalling that she was working on Aradhana when Satyajit Ray, affectionately called “Manik Da,” invited her to join the project. “It was very hot during the shoot, and we could only film in the morning and late afternoon,” she said. “I have wonderful memories with my co-actors. Manik Da’s precision — especially in how he directed the memory game sequence — was truly remarkable.”
Tagore, who made her cinematic debut in Ray’s The World of Apu in 1959, went on to collaborate with the legendary director on several celebrated films including Devi (1960), Nayak (1966), and Seemabaddha (1971). Her return to Cannes for this tribute underlines the enduring legacy of her work with Ray and the global appreciation for Indian cinema’s golden era.
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