List of awards and nominations received by Satyajit Ray


was an Indian filmmaker who worked prominently in Bengali cinema. Ray received numerous awards and honours, including India's highest award in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. He was also awarded the Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest decoration in France and an Honorary Award at the 64th Academy Awards.
Often regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of world cinema, Ray made his directorial debut in 1955 with Pather Panchali. The film earned critical acclaim and was awarded under the Best Film category at various award ceremonies and film festivals, including the 3rd National Film Awards, 7th Berlin International Film Festival, and 1st San Francisco International Film Festival. Pather Panchali was also awarded the "Prix du document humain" prize at the 9th Cannes Film Festival. Ray won thirty-five National Film Awards during his four-decade career. Six of his filmsPather Panchali, Apur Sansar, Charulata, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, Seemabaddha, and Agantuk won the Best Feature Film. Three filmsJalsaghar, Abhijan, and Pratidwandi were awarded with Second Best Feature Film and Mahanagar was adjudged the Third Best Feature Film. Ray's 1961 documentary on Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore received awards at the Locarno and Montevideo film festivals as well as the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film. His Hindi film Shatranj Ke Khilari won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and the Filmfare Award for Best Director. Ray's Apu Trilogy, comprising Pather Panchali, Aparajito and Apur Sansar, appeared in Time All-Time 100 Movies in 2005.
Ray won 21 awards for his direction, including seven Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, six Indian National Film Awards, two Silver Bear awards at the Berlin International Film Festival, and two Golden Gate Awards at the San Francisco International Film Festival. In addition to directing, Ray was a music composer and also wrote the screenplay, lyrics, and dialogues for several films. He won twelve awards for his screenplay writing, including one posthumous award in 1994, one award for his original story idea, seven awards for his dialogues, five awards for his music compositions, and two awards for lyric-writing.
Ray also received various awards and honours at international film festivals and universities. These include awards at the 9th Chicago International Film Festival, 28th Berlin International Film Festival, 11th Moscow International Film Festival, 35th Cannes Film Festival, 39th Venice International Film Festival, 4th Tokyo International Film Festival, and 35th San Francisco International Film Festival. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Art, a Doctor of Letters from the University of Oxford, the British Film Institute Fellowship, and two Sangeet Natak Akademi awards.

Honorary awards

YearAwards and honoursAwarding body
1958Padma ShriGovernment of India
1959Sangeet Natak Akademi PuraskarSangeet Natak Akademi
1965Padma BhushanGovernment of India
1967JLCCA Ramon Magsaysay AwardRamon Magsaysay Award Foundation
1971Yugoslav Star with Golden WreathGovernment of Yugoslavia
1973Doctor of LettersUniversity of Delhi
1973Festival HonoreeChicago International Film Festival
1974Honorary DoctorsRoyal College of Art
1976Padma VibhushanGovernment of India
1976DesikottamVisva-Bharati University
1978Doctor of LettersUniversity of Oxford
1978Special AwardBerlin International Film Festival
1979Special AwardMoscow International Film Festival
1980Doctor of LettersUniversity of Burdwan
1980Doctor of LettersJadavpur University
1981DoctorateBanaras Hindu University
1981Doctor of LettersUniversity of North Bengal
1982Hommage à Satyajit RayCannes Film Festival
1982Golden Lion Honorary AwardVenice Film Festival
1982Vidyasagar Smriti Puraskar Government of West Bengal
1983British Film Institute FellowshipBritish Film Institute
1984Dadasaheb Phalke AwardDirectorate of Film Festivals
1985Doctor of LiteratureUniversity of Calcutta
1985Soviet Land Nehru AwardSoviet Union
1986Sangeet Natak Akademi FellowshipSangeet Natak Akademi
1987Dadabhai Naoroji Memorial AwardGovernment of India
1987Commander of the Legion of HonourGovernment of France
1987Doctor of LettersRabindra Bharati University
1991Academy Honorary AwardAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
1991Special Achievement AwardTokyo International Film Festival
1992Akira Kurosawa AwardSan Francisco International Film Festival
1992Bharat RatnaGovernment of India

Film awards

Annual film awards

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

The Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, commonly referred as BFJA Awards, are awarded annually by The Bengal Film Journalists' Association founded in 1937. Ray won thirty-nine awards for sixteen of his films and three awards for two films by other directors; Nityananda Dutta and Sandip Ray.
YearFilmCeremonyCategoryResult
1962Teen Kanya25th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Director
1962Teen Kanya25th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1963Abhijan26th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Director
1963Abhijan26th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1963Kanchenjungha26th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1963Kanchenjungha26th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Dialogue
1964Mahanagar27th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1964Mahanagar27th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Dialogue
1965Charulata28th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Director
1965Charulata28th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1965Charulata28th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Screenplay
1965Charulata28th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Music Director
1966Baksa Badal29th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Dialogue
1966Kapurush-O-Mahapurush
Kapurush
Mahapurush
29th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1967Nayak30th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Director
1967Nayak30th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1967Nayak30th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Screenplay
1967Nayak30th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Dialogue
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne33rd Annual BFJA AwardsBest Director
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne33rd Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne33rd Annual BFJA AwardsBest Screenplay
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne33rd Annual BFJA AwardsBest Music Director
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne33rd Annual BFJA AwardsBest Lyricist
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne33rd Annual BFJA AwardsBest Dialogue
1971Aranyer Din Ratri34th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1971Pratidwandi34th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1971Pratidwandi34th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Director
1971Pratidwandi34th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Screenplay
1971Pratidwandi34th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Dialogue
1972Seemabaddha35th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1972Seemabaddha35th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Screenplay
1972Seemabaddha35th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Dialogue
1974Ashani Sanket37th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1975Sonar Kella38th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1986Ghare Baire49th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1993Agantuk56th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Director
1993Agantuk56th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films
1993Agantuk56th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Screenplay
1993Agantuk56th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Original Story
1993Goopy Bagha Phire Elo56th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Music Director
1993Goopy Bagha Phire Elo56th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Lyricist
1993Shakha Proshakha56th Annual BFJA AwardsBest Indian Films

Bodil Awards

Established in 1948, the Bodil Awards are presented annually at a ceremony in Copenhagen by Danish Film Critics Association. Ray received two awards.
YearFilmCeremonyCategoryResult
1967Aparajito21st Bodil AwardsBest Non-European Film
1969Pather Panchali23rd Bodil AwardsBest Non-European Film

British Academy Film Awards

The British Academy Film Awards is an annual event organised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Ray received three nominations.
YearFilmCeremonyCategoryResult
1958Pather Panchali11th British Academy Film AwardsBest Film from Any Source
1959Aparajito12th British Academy Film AwardsBest Film from Any Source
1962Apur Sansar15th British Academy Film AwardsBest Film from Any Source

Filmfare Awards

The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group for the Bollywood films. Ray received two awards.
YearFilmCeremonyCategoryResult
1977Shatranj Ke Khilari26th Filmfare AwardsCritics Award for Best Movie
1977Shatranj Ke Khilari26th Filmfare AwardsBest Director

National Board of Review

Established in 1909, the National Board of Review awards are awarded annually by The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures. Ray received four awards.
YearFilmCeremonyCategoryResult
1958Pather Panchali30th National Board of Review AwardsBest Foreign Language Film
1958Pather Panchali30th National Board of Review AwardsTop Foreign Language Films
1960Apur Sansar32nd National Board of Review AwardsBest Foreign Language Film
1960Apur Sansar32nd National Board of Review AwardsTop Foreign Language Films

National Film Awards

The Indian National Film Awards are presented by Directorate of Film Festivals during its annual ceremony to honour the best films of the Indian cinema in the given year. Ray won thirty-five awards for twenty-five of his films and one posthumous award for the film directed by his son Sandip Ray. He won maximum number of awards for the Best Director.
Indicates certificate of meritIndicates a posthumous win

Other annual film awards

YearFilmCeremonyCategoryResult
1967Pather Panchali40th Kinema Junpo AwardsBest Foreign Film
1968ChiriyakhanaWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Direction
1973Ashani SanketWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Film
1974Sonar KellaWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Film
1974Sonar KellaWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Direction
1974Sonar KellaWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Screenplay
1975Jana AranyaWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Film
1975Jana AranyaWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Direction
1975Jana AranyaWest Bengal Government Film AwardsBest Screenplay

International film festivals awards

Berlin International Film Festival

Founded in 1951, the Berlin International Film Festival, also called the Berlinale, is an annual film festival held in Berlin, Germany. Ray won nine awards and three nominations for seven of his films. He is one of the four directors to win the Silver Bear for Best Director more than once and received maximum number of nominations for the Golden Bear for Best Film.
YearFilmFilm festivalCategoryResult
1957Pather Panchali7th Berlin International Film FestivalSelznick Golden Laurel for Best Film
1960Aparajito10th Berlin International Film FestivalSelznick Golden Laurel for Best Film
1963Teen Kanya13th Berlin International Film FestivalSelznick Golden Laurel for Best Film
1964Mahanagar14th Berlin International Film FestivalGolden Bear for Best Film
1964Mahanagar14th Berlin International Film FestivalSilver Bear for Best Director
1965Charulata15th Berlin International Film FestivalGolden Bear for Best Film
1965Charulata15th Berlin International Film FestivalSilver Bear for Best Director
1965Charulata15th Berlin International Film FestivalOCIC Catholic Award
1966Nayak16th Berlin International Film FestivalGolden Bear for Best Film
1966Nayak16th Berlin International Film FestivalSpecial Recognition
1966Nayak16th Berlin International Film FestivalCritics' Prize
1973Ashani Sanket23rd Berlin International Film FestivalGolden Bear for Best Film

Cannes Film Festival

Originally set to be held in 1939 but subsequently held in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France. Ray won two awards and four nominations for four of his films.
YearFilmFilm festivalCategoryResult
1956Pather Panchali1956 Cannes Film FestivalPalme d'Or for Best Film
1956Pather Panchali1956 Cannes Film FestivalPrix du document humain
1956Pather Panchali1956 Cannes Film FestivalOCIC Catholic Award
1958Parash Pathar1958 Cannes Film FestivalPalme d'Or for Best Film
1962Devi1962 Cannes Film FestivalPalme d'Or for Best Film
1984Ghare Baire1984 Cannes Film FestivalPalme d'Or for Best Film

San Francisco International Film Festival

Organized by the San Francisco Film Society and founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival is billed as "the longest-running film festival in the Americas". Ray won four awards for two of his films.
YearFilmFilm festivalCategoryResult
1957Pather Panchali1st San Francisco International Film FestivalGolden Gate Award for Best Film
1957Pather Panchali1st San Francisco International Film FestivalGolden Gate Award for Best Director
1958Aparajito2nd San Francisco International Film FestivalGolden Gate Award for Best Film
1958Aparajito2nd San Francisco International Film FestivalGolden Gate Award for Best Director

Venice Film Festival

Initially named as "Esposizione d'Arte Cinematografica", the Venice Film Festival was founded in 1932 as part of the 18th Venice Biennale. Ray won five awards and one nomination for four of his films.
YearFilmFilm festivalCategoryResult
1957Aparajito18th Venice International Film FestivalGolden Lion for Best Film
1957Aparajito18th Venice International Film FestivalCinema Nuovo Award
1957Aparajito18th Venice International Film FestivalFIPRESCI Critics' Award
1965Kapurush28th Venice International Film FestivalGolden Lion for Best Film
1972Seemabaddha33rd Venice International Film FestivalFIPRESCI Critics' Award
1991Agantuk48th Venice International Film FestivalFIPRESCI Critics' Award

Other international film festival awards

YearFilmFilm festivalCategoryResult
1956Pather Panchali9th Edinburgh International Film FestivalDiploma Of Merit
1956Pather PanchaliManila Film FestivalGolden Carbao
1956Pather PanchaliRome Film FestivalVatican Award
1958Pather PanchaliStratford Film FestivalCritics' Award for Best Film of the Year
1958Pather PanchaliVancouver International Film FestivalBest Film
1958–59AparajitoUSA Film FestivalGolden Laurel for Best Foreign Film
1959Jalsaghar1st Moscow International Film FestivalGrand prix for Best Film
1959Pather PanchaliNew York Film FestivalCultural Award: Best Foreign Film
1960Apur Sansar7th BFI London Film FestivalSutherland Trophy for Best Original And Imaginative Film
1961Apur Sansar14th Edinburgh International Film FestivalDiploma Of Merit
1961Rabindranath Tagore14th Locarno International Film FestivalGolden Sail for Short Films
1962Two Daughters10th Melbourne International Film FestivalGolden Boomerang for Best Film
1962Rabindranath TagoreMontevideo Film FestivalSpecial Mention
1965CharulataAcapulco Film FestivalBest Film
1969Goopy Gyne Bagha ByneAuckland International Film FestivalSilver Cross Award for Best Direction and Originality
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne18th Melbourne International Film FestivalBest Film
1970Goopy Gyne Bagha ByneTokyo Film FestivalMerit Award
1973Ashani Sanket9th Chicago International Film FestivalGold Hugo for Best Feature Film
1975Sonar Kella10th Teheran International Festival of Films for Children and Young AdultsGolden Statue for Best Live Feature Film
1976Jana Aranya30th Karlovy Vary International Film FestivalKarlovy Vary Prize
1979Joi Baba Felunath3rd Hong Kong International Film FestivalBest Feature Film
1980Pather Panchali27th BFI London Film FestivalWington Award
1980Aparajito27th BFI London Film FestivalWington Award
1980Apur Sansar27th BFI London Film FestivalWington Award

Explanatory notes