**Satyajit Ray (1921-1992)** was an influential Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, a pivotal figure in Bengali and world cinema. His international renown was cemented with the **"Apu Trilogy"** (*Pather Panchali*, *Aparajito*, *Apur Sansar*), neorealist masterpieces that follow the growth of a boy in rural and urban Bengali society.

Other notable films include **Charulata**, a psychological analysis of a trapped woman, **Mahanagar**, on modernization and women's emancipation, and **Jalsaghar**, on the decaying aristocracy. His style was characterized by profound humanism, realism, and lyrical storytelling. He explored the nuances of everyday life, family dynamics, and India's social transformations with great sensitivity and observation. Ray was known for his meticulous screenwriting, the music he often composed himself, and his ability to elicit authentic performances. He elevated Indian cinema to international prestige, receiving an Honorary Academy Award in 1992.