Was Martin Scorsese Inspired By Satyajit Ray?

A video is going viral these days which shows how much Martin Scorsese was inspired by our very own Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray. In the video we see Satyajit Ray answering a phone call. The voice from the other side says, “Am I speaking to Mr. Satyajit Ray?” To which Ray answers “Yes!” And then that mysterious voice says “Sir, I’m a student at New York University I’ve watched your film and it blew my mind.” He also talks about Ray’s Pather Panchali and praises him a lot. When Ray after thanking him asks about his name. The voice says “My name is Martin, sir. Martin Scorsese”.

The video is a small clip from the movie “Aparajito” (2022) which is based on the making of Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali. We are not sure whether it was an actual conversation or not but we have various ideas and instances suggesting that he was influenced by the Eastern cinema and particularly Ray’s filmography.

Martin Scorsese, has expressed his admiration and appreciation for Satyajit Ray, the legendary Indian filmmaker. Scorsese has spoken highly of Ray’s work and has often cited him as one of his influences. Satyajit Ray’s films, particularly the “Apu Trilogy” (comprised of “Pather Panchali,” “Aparajito,” and “Apur Sansar”), are considered masterpieces of world cinema and have had a significant impact on filmmakers around the globe, including Scorsese.

Scorsese has mentioned that Ray’s films were instrumental in shaping his understanding and love for cinema. He has praised Ray’s storytelling, use of naturalistic performances, and his ability to capture the essence of everyday life.