Legends of Indian Cinema- Ritwik Ghatak

India is celebrating birth centenary of five iconic figures who shaped the golden era of Indian cinema, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is set to pay an enduring tribute to their rich legacy. This momentous occasion will be marked at the first edition of the World Audio Video & Entertainment Summit (WAVES-2025), scheduled from 01st to 04th May 2025 in Mumbai — the heartland of India’s entertainment industry.

The Summit, envisioned as a global confluence of creators, storytellers, policy makers, and innovators from the world of audio- visual and entertainment arts, opens on 01st May 2025 with a grand inaugural ceremony. As a centerpiece of the inaugural event, the Government of India releases Commemorative Postage Stamp honoring five legendary figures of Indian cinema — Shri Guru Dutt, Shri Ritwik Ghatak, Shri Salil Chowdhury, Shri Raj Khosla, and Ms. P. Bhanumathi — on the occasion of their birth centenaries.

This rare tribute underscores the nation’s deep appreciation for these iconic personalities whose timeless contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian and global cinematic traditions.

Ritwik Ghatak: A pillar of Indian parallel cinema, Ritwik Ghatak was a Bengali filmmaker whose powerful narratives reshaped the language of Indian filmmaking. His deeply personal and sociall conscious films—such as Meghe Dhaka Tara, Subarnarekha, and Komal Gandhar—delved into the trauma of the Partition, themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the resilience of the human spirit. Known for his stylized yet emotionally resonant storytelling, Ghatak was a master of fusing folklore and mythology with the harsh realities of modern life. Though his work received limited acclaim during his lifetime, today he is celebrated as a cinematic icon whose influence is felt not just in India but globally among serious filmmakers and scholars.