Chunibala Devi in an international film festival - The Manila Film festival, for her role of Indir Thakrun. She died in Kolkata, of influenza, in 1955, before the release of Pather Panchali, although Ray had been to her house to show her a projection. Chunibala Devi Chunibala Devi, born circ. 1875 — 1955 in Kolkata, was an Indian character actress best known for her performance in Satyajit Ray's "Pather Panchali", where she played the old aunt, Indir Thakrun, to Apu and Durga. Formerly a theatre actress, Chunibala Devi made her film debut with Bigraha in 1930, though after her second film, Rikta
Calcutta Film Society European films. The society also started a bulletin designed by Ray, and several of his article were later published in the book, "Our Films, Their Films" (1972). Noted film personalities were invited to speak at the society which they did on several occasions, including Russian actor, Nikolay Cherkasov, directors Jean Renoir, John Huston. Ray later recounted his meeting with Renoir as an important turning point in shaping his cinematic vision of his first film, "Pather Panchali" which he explained to Renoir when he was visiting India to look for locations for his film "The River", in which Ray assisted Renoir.