Nayak (1966 film)

Nayak (The Hero)
Original Indian poster
Directed bySatyajit Ray
Screenplay bySatyajit Ray
Produced byR. D. Banshal
Sharankumari Bansal
StarringUttam Kumar
Sharmila Tagore
CinematographySubrata Mitra
Edited byDulal Dutta
Music bySatyajit Ray
Production
company
R. D. Banshal & Co.
Distributed byEdward Harrison (US)
Release dates
  • 6 May 1966 (1966-05-06) (India)
  • 19 July 1974 (1974-07-19) (US)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageBengali

Nayak (also released under the translated title The Hero, and as Nayak: The Hero) is a 1966 Indian Bengali-language drama film scored, written, and directed by Satyajit Ray. It was Ray's second entirely original screenplay, after Kanchenjungha (1962). The story revolves around a matinee idol on a 24-hour train ride from Kolkata to Delhi to receive a national award. En route, he ends up revealing his mistakes, insecurities, and regrets to a young journalist during a multi-part interview, while his life story is gradually revealed through seven flashbacks and two dreams. The film stars Uttam Kumar as the titular nayak (hero), and Sharmila Tagore as the journalist.