Finally, Ray’s ‘Sikkim’ screened, audiences hail it

KOLKATA - Audiences hailed “Sikkim” - a hidden masterpiece by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray that was banned four decades ago - when it had its first public screening Wednesday at the 16th Kolkata Film Festival.

“It is really a masterpiece by Satyajit Ray. I have seen all his movies. Today, I watched the documentary ‘Sikkim’ too. I think today I have completed a circle. But I felt really bad that the movie was banned for so many years for useless reasons. I have watched nothing bad in the film. It’s a fantastic movie,” said film buff Rama Ray after watching the movie.

Made by Satyajit Ray in 1971, the documentary was banned by the external affairs ministry in 1975 when the Himalayan kingdom became a part of India. It was commissioned by the last Chogyal (king) of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, and his American-born queen Hope Cooke. It was soon banned by the government and remained in the cans after that.

“It’s a beautiful movie by a legendary director. I have seen nothing offensive in the film and I don’t know why this film was banned for so many years. It is a treasure for all the movie lovers and filmmakers,” said Debolina Das, a college student.

“Satyajit Ray has done a marvelous job in this movie. I have waited long to see this movie. I just loved the movie. I plan to see it again,” said 55-year-old Kaushik Das, an avid film-goer.