Ananya Lohia , Kolkata - What was scheduled as the opening of a film retrospective soon transformed into a heartfelt celebration of filmmaker Anik Dutta and his contribution to Bengali cinema, as artists, actors and admirers gathered at Nandan on Friday evening.

The retrospective began with a screening of Aparajito, a film widely regarded as one of Dutta’s finest works. The event drew several prominent names from Bengal’s cultural landscape, many of whom shared personal memories and reflected on the filmmaker’s lasting impact on the industry. Actor Jitu Kamal, who portrayed Satyajit Ray in Aparajito, described the occasion as both special and emotional, noting that the filmmaker’s work continues to inspire audiences and artists alike. Producer Firdausal Hasan and actor-politician Rudranil Ghosh also paid tribute to Dutta’s fearless storytelling and unique cinematic voice.

The evening highlighted not only Dutta’s achievements as a filmmaker but also his role in shaping contemporary Bengali cinema through films that blended satire, social commentary and cultural reflection. Speakers recalled his ability to engage audiences with stories rooted in Bengal’s identity while addressing broader human experiences. A musical segment added to the emotion of the gathering as singer Lagnajita Chakraborty, accompanied by composer Debajyoti Mishra, performed a theme associated with Pather Panchali, drawing warm applause from the audience.

The retrospective, which will continue over the coming weeks, offers viewers an opportunity to revisit some of Dutta’s most celebrated works. For many in attendance, however, the event was about more than cinema—it was a recognition of a filmmaker whose stories, humour and perspective continued to resonate long after the cameras stopped rolling.

As colleagues, collaborators and film lovers came together under one roof, the evening underscored the enduring place Anik Dutta occupies in Bengal’s cultural imagination, reaffirming that his legacy lives on through the films he left behind.