'Pather Panchali' declared best Indian movie by FIPRESCI

A survey held by the FIPRESCI India chapter resulted in the creation of a list of the top 10 films in Indian cinematic history.

The feature film "Pather Panchali" by renowned director Satyajit Ray has been named the best Indian movie of all time by the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI).

Following a survey held by the India branch of FIPRESCI, the top ten films in the Indian cinema history list have been revealed, with the 1955 movie taking the top spot.


According to a press release from FIPRESCI-India, 30 members participated in the ballot, which was done in secret.

"Pather Panchali," Ray's first film as a director, was based on the 1929 Bengali novel of the same name by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. The lead actors were Karuna Banerjee, Kanu Banerjee, Chunibala Devi, Subir Banerjee, and Uma Dasgupta.

The first film in director Ray's Apu Trilogy, and inspired by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, the renowned author's Bengali novel released in 1929, 'Pather Panchali' was released in 1955. The movie was influenced by the Italian Neorealism movement, which was pioneered by directors like Michelangelo Antonioni, Vittorio de Sica, and Roberto Rosselini. The movie was Satyajit Ray's directorial debut.

Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, and Wes Anderson are among the filmmakers who have praised Pather Panchali as one of the best movies ever made. Aparajito and Apur Sansar came after it. The remaining top 10 were dominated by directors associated with India's parallel film movement, which prioritised social unrest and politics over popular entertainment.

Additionally included on this list are the 1960 Bengali drama renowned movie Meghe Dhaka Tara by Ritwik Ghatak, the 1969 Hindi drama Bhuvan Shome by Mrinal Sen, the 1981 Malayalam drama Elippathayam by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the 1977 Kannada film Ghatashraddha by Girish Kasaravalli, the 1973 Hindi film Garm Hava by MS Sathyu, the 1964 Bengali drama Charulata by Ray, and Ramesh Sippy's blockbuster Sholay.

Related FAQs

How many movies are there in the list?
The list consists of top 10 films in Indian cinematic history.

Who is the author of the book on which 'Pather Panchali' was based?
The movie was based on the book written by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, the renowned Bengali author.