On Monday evening, Simi Garewal shared on Instagram that she will walk the red carpet at the Festival de Cannes 2025 for the world premiere of the newly restored Aranyer Din Ratri, Satyajit Ray’s 1970 cinematic gem. The actress will present the screening alongside filmmaker Wes Anderson and actress Sharmila Tagore.

The film will screen on Monday, May 19 at the Salle Buñuel, Palais des Festivals. The restoration has been carried out by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at L’Immagine Ritrovata, in collaboration with Film Heritage Foundation, Janus Films, and The Criterion Collection, with support from the Golden Globe Foundation. For Garewal, this return is deeply personal. “The month-long shoot was enveloped in magic,” she recalled in a 2012 Mumbai Mirror interview.

“No electricity, no running water — just moonlit walks, Rabindra Sangeet, and the incredible good fortune of working with one of the world’s finest directors.”

In Aranyer Din Ratri, Garewal played Duli — a feisty young Santhal woman who embodied the conflict between the urban and rural ways of life.

With her sharp gaze and fierce independence, Duli awakens desire but bows to no one. “For a week, Manik da wouldn’t let me shoot. He took me to the baati khaana (the liquor shop) where the Adivasis would gather at night to drink — and let me just observe. I saw women who were exactly like Duli, my character (sic).”

Discovered by Ray after a chance meeting at Raj Kapoor’s house, Garewal vividly remembers receiving his letter offering her a role: “It’s only a screen test for make-up. Not for your acting abilities – because I have no doubt whatsoever about that.” What followed was an intense process of transformation – both in character and craft.

Revisiting the experience of shooting the film, Purnima Dutta, producer, said, “Simi became like a family member during those days. Though she was staying in a hotel, most of the time, she used to be at our house. I still remember, when I got busy, she used to lay the dining table and make sure we all ate together – she’s an extremely homely person. I remember Samit (Bhanja, who played Hari) was a newcomer in the industry, and was apprehensive of the intimate scenes he had to play. Manik da told him to get rid of his inhibitions, and Simi, being a seasoned actor, helped Samit overcome his awkwardness with portraying the scenes convincingly.”