Directed by Satyajit Ray and based on Sunil Gangopadhyay’s novel, the 1970 Bengali film Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest) is now showing in a series of special screenings at BFI Southbank in London.

Starring Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore, Aparna Sen, and others, the film follows four young men from Calcutta who go on a holiday.

The confident Ashim, intellectual Sanjoy, heartbroken athlete Hari and group joker Shekhar drive out to the Palamau Forests seeking cheap alcohol and meeting what they expect will be provincial girls, but the trip gradually exposes their insecurities, class attitudes, and emotional immaturity.

This film is considered one of Ray’s most important later works, and includes the famous memory game scene, which is one of the most celebrated moments in Indian cinema.

Take Note: The screening on Saturday 18 April in will include an introduction.

INDIAN FILM

Four Days and Nights in the Forest (in Bengali with subtitles in English) directed by Satyajit Ray. 116 minutes in duration and released in 1970. Digitally restored in 4K by The Film Foundation. Certificate: PG.

Screening Dates:

Friday 17 to Thursday 23 April 2026 - please check the BFI Southbank website for timings and venue.

Special Event: 6.15 pm on Saturday 18 April 2026 in NFT Screen 3

A representative from Bengal Heritage Foundation will introduce the special screening on Saturday 18 April.

For more information, visit the BFI Southbank website.

Booking is required. Concessions are available. The venue is fully accessible.