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Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker

140 films, 10 screens, Rs 4 crore budget: All eyes on PIFF as best of Indian and world cinema get ready for audiences

3 min readPuneUpdated: Dec 17, 2025 08:44 PM IST

(From left to right) Film director Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak was the Vice-Principal of FTII in the 1960s. (Source: Express Archives)

The film lovers of West Bengal are, often, divided between Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak. “Ghatak was a very different filmmaker from Ray. But, the two were not rivals. Manik da (Ray) and Ghatak were very good friends,” says Jabbar Patel, a veteran filmmaker and the Director of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).

“It was Manik da who suggested to Indira Gandhi, then the Prime Minister of India, to take Ghatak to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) as he was a wonderful teacher,” says Patel.

Ghatak was the Vice-Principal of FTII in the 1960s and started a new school of cinema. Kumar Sahani and Mani Kaul, among others, followed Ghatak’s path in making films. “Different filmmakers came in, and a different pathway started right here in Pune,” says Patel.

PIFF, which will be held between Jan 15 and 22, will celebrate many icons of Indian cinema. Among them is Ghatak, whose birth centenary is, currently, underway. There will be screenings of his famous films as well as stories about his contributions.

“There was a time when Ghatak went to Bimal Roy with a story he had written. He said that he was not going to make the film but it was an interesting concept. Roy made the film; it was Madhumati, one of the earliest films about reincarnation and a love story that lasts lifetimes, among others. It was one of the greatest films of the time,” says Patel.

PIFF will also celebrate V Shantaram’s 125th anniversary. Shantaram was another filmmaker with deep roots in Pune. His 1957 classic, Do Aankhen Barah Haath, which won the prestigious Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival was shot in parts in the city.

“Shantaram’s earlier films were made at Prabhat Studio. These included classics, such as Duniya Na Mane. It was a milestone film about a young girl married to an old man, which was also a great hit in Marathi, called Kunku. Padosi, his last film with Prabhat Studios, was about a Hindu-Muslim friendship,” says Patel.

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PIFF, which is organised by the Pune Film Foundation, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, and Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, Mumbai, will screen almost 140 films across sections, ranging from the world and Marathi competitive film sections to global cinema. The state government sanctions a budget of Rs 4 crore for the festival. The opening film is La Grazia from Italy, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, while the closing film of the festival is Father Mother Sister Brother, from Ireland and France, and directed by Jim Jarmusch.

A much-awaited feature is the world competition section, for which more than 900 films from 103 countries were submitted. “These films will be judged by an international jury, and the best international film will receive the ‘Maharashtra Government Sant Tukaram Best International Film Award’ which is worth Rs 10 lakh,” said Patel.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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