Pather Panchali Indian film-making in which authenticity and social realism were key themes, breaking the rule of the Indian film establishment. Although "Pather Panchali" was described as a turning point in Indian cinema, some commentators preferred the view that it refined a "realist textual principle" that was already there. In 1963 "Time" noted that thanks to "Pather Panchali", Satyajit Ray was one of the "hardy little band of inspired pioneers" of a new cinematic movement that was enjoying a good number of imitators worldwide. The film has since been considered as a "global landmark" and "among the essential moviegoing experiences". On 2
Aparajito Ghosal who played the role of adolescent "Apu", at the age of 14, did only one more film, documentary "Rabindranath Tagore" (1961), also made by Ray, where he played young Rabindranath Tagore. Smaran died in 2008 in Kolkata, at the age of 64. "Aparajito" was preceded by "Pather Panchali" (1955) and followed by "Apur Sansar" ("The World of Apu") in 1959. Together, the three films constitute the Apu trilogy. "Pather Panchali" portrays the childhood of Apu in their ancestral house. "Apur Sansar" depicts Apu's adult life, his reaction to his wife's premature death, and his final bonding with his son