Completed - BENGALI - Drama - 65 minutes
The film is informed by Ray’s keen observation of Indian society at the crossroads of tradition and modernization. Ray exposes the hypocrisy of blind faith and religious fanaticism.
Year of production : 1965 Director(s) : Satyajit RAY Producer(s) : Rd BANSAL
Ever since the death of his wife, Gurupada Mitter, advocate, has been going through a state of deep mental unrest. On his way back from Benares with his daughter Buchki, Gurupada encounters Birinchi – a Babaji who claims to be ageless. Gurupada is impressed and decides to patronize the saint and become his disciple.Daughter Buchki has her own problems, such as disappointment with her lover Satya, who has written her a love letter consisting solely of quotations from romantic poets. To teach him a lesson, Buchki tells Satya that she is going to renounce him and become a disciple of Birinchi.Fearing that his romance is in jeopardy, Satya runs to his friend, philosopher and guide – Nibaran – and enlists his help to free Buchki from the clutches of Birinchi.Nibaran attends one of Birinchi’s religious meetings, listens to his discourses, and realises that Birinchi is a fraud, but a fraud clever enough to command the respect of a growing bank of rich devotees.Nibaran decides to expose Birinchi, and in the process also expose the foolish devotees who make it possible for swindlers like Birinchi to establish themselves as saints and prophets.
Country(ies) : INDIA