Aparajito release date: When and where to watch Anik Dutta’s recreation of Ray’s struggle to make Pather Panchali

After releasing in the theatres on May 13, Anik Datta’s Aparajito is all set for its digital premiere. The film has garnered a lot of appreciation and love from critics and viewers alike. Lead actor Jeetu Kamal’s striking resemblance with Satyajit Ray, pristine black and white shots and the nostalgia of Pather Panchali have made the film a bumper success at the box office. 

Now the film will have its digital premiere on August 25 on Zee 5. Shot in black and white, Aparajito is set in the early ’50 in Calcutta. The movie unfolds the story of a man called Aparajito Ray (Apu), a character based on Satyajit Ray, who is set out to make the film Pather Panchali. The film then traces the journey of Apu, from wide-eyed child to intellectually curious teenager and the growing complexity of his relationship with his mother. The movie further highlights his battles and the trips he makes to producers and money lenders to garner funds for the movie. Aparajito – The Undefeated narrative follows a realistic chronology, close to how Ray did it himself. 

Director Anik Dutta says, “Aparajito is not only a tribute to Ray but the story of someone who has confidence in his abilities, and talent, and can overcome all the roadblocks while achieving what he had set out to do. If you truly believe that you can accomplish your dreams you can make those dreams come true. I am delighted that we have partnered with ZEE5 so our movie can be available to audiences across 190+ countries.”

The lead actor Jeetu Kamal says, “Stepping into Satyajit Ray’s shoes was a big deal for me. I would say I was rather fortunate. Post the theatrical release, my performance was lauded. But a digital premiere for any film is important. I am glad a larger set of audience will get a chance to watch it via the digital release.” 

Commenting on the digital premiere, Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 India, says, “As the multilingual storyteller, we are focused on delivering the best content for our viewers by partnering with diverse storytellers across languages. We are happy to announce the digital premiere of Aparajito; one of the finest Bengali movies made recently. With powerful performances, the movie accurately portrays Satyajit Ray and his contribution to the industry.”