The Big City, the great Satyajit Ray’s first portrayal of contemporary life in his native Kolkata, follows the personal triumphs and frustrations of Arati (Madhabi Mukherjee), who decides, despite the initial protests of her bank-clerk husband, to take a job to help support their family.

With remarkable sensitivity and attention to the details of everyday working-class life, Ray builds a powerful human drama that is at once a hopeful morality tale and a commentary on the identity of the modern Indian woman.

Back in cinemas as part of the BFI’s delayed Satyajit Ray centenary celebration.

"Satyajit Ray's masterly exploration of women stepping into the workplace, gaining independence, and thinking for themselves. And, the power of a red lipstick..." Shubhra Gupta, The Indian Express