What was Ritwik Ghatak's influence on Indian cinema?

Ritwik Ghatak, a pioneering Indian filmmaker, left an indelible mark on the industry with his uncompromising vision and innovative techniques in sound design and editing.

How did Adoor Gopalakrishnan's experience as Ritwik Ghatak's student shape his own filmmaking?

Gopalakrishnan, a legendary director, credits Ghatak's unconventional teaching methods and focus on analyzing his own films for shaping Gopalakrishnan's understanding of cinema.

What was the significance of the Ritwik Ghatak Memorial Lecture at the Kolkata International Film Festival?

The festival's new annual lecture series honored Ghatak's legacy, with Gopalakrishnan and Anup Singh discussing the filmmaker's profound impact on generations of Indian cinema.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Legendary Filmmakers Reflect on Ritwik Ghatak's Cinematic Legacy

Legendary Filmmakers Reflect on Ritwik Ghatak's Cinematic Legacy

15 Nov

•

Summary

Ritwik Ghatak, a pioneering Indian filmmaker, honored at Kolkata International Film Festival
Adoor Gopalakrishnan, a legendary director, shares memories of Ghatak as his teacher
Ghatak's innovative use of sound and editing techniques discussed

Legendary Filmmakers Reflect on Ritwik Ghatak's Cinematic Legacy

On November 15, 2025, the Kolkata International Film Festival hosted a special session honoring the legacy of Ritwik Ghatak, the renowned Indian filmmaker who left an indelible mark on the industry. The session, part of the festival's new annual Ritwik Ghatak Memorial Lecture series, featured a conversation between legendary director Adoor Gopalakrishnan and moderator Anup Singh.

Gopalakrishnan, who first met Ghatak in 1963 as a student at the Film Institute in Pune, shared captivating anecdotes about the fiery filmmaker. He recalled how Ghatak's unorthodox teaching methods, which focused on analyzing his own films rather than theory, left a lasting impression on the young students. "He was making them see the world differently," Anup Singh noted, describing Ghatak's exercises that encouraged students to observe the changing light and shadows.