Ray’s ‘Apur Sansar’ inspires city filmmaker to make a short film

Inspired by Satyajit Ray’s ‘Apur Sansar’, director Santu Pati has come up with a short film, ‘Apu Kajaler Gappo’, which begins where the cult film left off. “Since Apur Sansar was my primary inspiration, I sought permission from Sandip Ray before starting the work. The short has already been to several festivals and I am hoping it will travel to many more,” said the director.
As per the story, Apu returns to his paternal home with his son, Kajal. He marries Sarama against his will, the reason being Kajal must not feel the absence of his mother Aparna ever. Apu and Sarama also give birth to a son. For Kajal, however, the place of mother in his heart, always remains empty. “Ahead of Durga Puja, Kajal goes missing. Can Apu bring him back is what the story is all about,” said Santu.
Apur Sansar’ (The World of Apu) is the last film in Ray’s ‘The Apu Trilogy’. It won Satyajit Ray 3 international awards – Best Original and Imaginative Film at the 1960 London Film Fest, Diploma of Merit at 1960 Edinburgh International Film Fest and Best Foreign Film declared by National Board of Review Awards (US). It also received a nomination for Best Film at 1962 BAFTA Awards.
The cult classic sees jobless Apu, aspiring to become a writer, marries Aparna and returns to Calcutta. But his wife dies while giving birth to their son and Apu believes the child responsible for Aparna’s death. He then leaves his child to his maternal grandparents and starts his journey as a traveler. An old friend reaches out to a vagabond Apu convincing him to get back to his son. Finally, Apu reunites with his son.