CAPITAL CHANCE: The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Jaipal Reddy, and the Censor Board Chairperson, Sharmila Tagore, at the inauguration of a Satyajit Ray retrospective in New Delhi on Friday. — PHOTO: PTI

NEW DELHI: Even as "Pather Panchali'' gets set to receive special honours at the Cannes International Film Festival next month, this weekend will give the capital a rare chance to see the works of Satyajit Ray on 35 mm through a special retrospective of his films at the Siri Fort Auditorium.

Coinciding as it does with the golden jubilee year of "Pather Panchali'' which was released in 1955, the retrospective will feature the much-acclaimedApu trilogy of "Pather Panchali'', "Aparajito'' and "Apur Sansar'' apart from the much popular "Charulata'' and "Pratidwandhi''.

Inaugurated on Friday by the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Jaipal Reddy, the opening also saw the presence of actress Sharmila Tagore, a Ray discovery.

Ms. Tagore urged the audience to help keep Ray's luminous legacy alive.

"The shadow of Bollywood and Hollywood loom large over the international film scenario today. The marketing arm dictates how a film should be made. Sponsors want to make their share by their participation and are trying to make it more commercial.

A scene from the Satyajit Ray film "Pather Panchali".

In such a time, it is imperative that we support the kind of films that we believe in,'' she said adding that "otherwise the values with which we have all grown up would be lost.''

With "Pather Panchali'' all set for a date with the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival this May 12, the celebration will clearly not be restricted to India alone.

Receiving the honour of being one of the world's greatest films, the film will be featured in the "Classics'' section of the festival on the opening day. An initiative that began with a festival of K.L. Saigal's films and has so far given film buffs a chance to enjoy the works of Madhubala and Dev Anand, Friday saw people line up long before the scheduled time of screening to ensure a place for themselves.

What makes it even more accessible is the fact the entry to the films is free and based on a first-come-first- served basis.

It may have been a mini Kolkata audience all right, but the government holiday also ensured that many little ones got introduced to the magic of Ray.

For Ms. Tagore the occasion was perhaps even more special. "Before he came along, most actors over acted, background music was loud, the dialogues were loud, but he brought in a touch of reality to our cinema.

He had this ability to get so much out of you. Few people know that he could read music and that he handled every aspect of film-making right from writing, composing to designing.

He even created the bounce light, which was later used by many directors.''

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