Nolan, the Oscar-winning director behind “Inception”, “Interstellar”, “Dunkirk” and “Oppenheimer”, picked up “The Apu Trilogy” while browsing the collection of films in the closet. Speaking about Ray’s work, he singled out “Pather Panchali” (1955), the first instalment of the trilogy, describing it as “an absolutely incredible film” that “just blew my mind”.

Born on May 2, 1921, Ray’s artistic journey began in the realm of commercial art before he became a filmmaker. His encounter with French filmmaker Jean Renoir and his experience with Vittorio De Sica's groundbreaking film “Bicycle Thieves” during a trip to London were pivotal, steering him toward independent filmmaking.