Rupali Ganguly Calls Out Bangladesh For Demolishing Satyajit Ray's House: 'They Fear Art...'
Rupali Ganguly reacts to demolition of Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Bangladesh, calling it an attack on art and culture. MEA urges Bangladesh to preserve the legacy.
Television star Rupali Ganguly has voiced her fury over the demolition of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's ancestral home in Mymensingh, Bangladesh—an act that has sparked widespread outrage across India and the Bengali diaspora.
Taking to social media on July 16, the Anupamaa actress didn't mince words. 'Disgusting and unforgivable!" she wrote. 'Under the so-called 'moral leadership' of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has demolished the ancestral home of Bharat Ratna Satyajit Ray. This wasn't just a demolition—it was a message. They fear art. They erase legacy."
Disgusting and unforgivable!Under the so-called "moral leadership" of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has demolished the ancestral home of Bharat Ratna Satyajit Ray in Bangladesh.This wasn't just a demolition! it was a message: They fear art. They erase legacy. They glorify… pic.twitter.com/pNowQyx6zW
— Rupali Ganguly (@TheRupali) July 16, 2025
Calling the act a 'cultural crime," Rupali further added, 'They glorify violence, not culture. This act exposes their true colours."
Her scathing remarks reflect the growing chorus of criticism surrounding the demolition of the historic structure once owned by Ray's grandfather, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury—a pioneer of Bengali literature and publishing. The house, located on Harikishore Ray Road, had stood as a relic of Bengal's rich cultural history. After the Partition, the property was taken over by the Bangladeshi government and had briefly served as the Mymensingh Shishu Academy in the late 1980s. Over the years, it fell into disrepair and was recently cleared to make way for a new semi-permanent facility.
Many, including Rupali, argue that the structure, though crumbling, should have been preserved or restored as a tribute to Satyajit Ray's legacy. His cinematic contributions—from Pather Panchali to Charulata—have left an indelible mark on global cinema, making the loss of this heritage site feel deeply personal to many.
In response to the incident, the Indian government issued a formal statement urging Bangladesh to reconsider the decision. The Ministry of External Affairs even proposed converting the property into a museum, offering assistance to restore the building in memory of Ray's unparalleled contribution to Indian and world cinema.
First Published:
July 17, 2025, 10:10 IST
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They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : documentary film history Mahabharata myth view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 18:03 IST News opinion Movie Review | Dating The Mahabharata: A Cinematic Triumph Of Science, History, And Sanatan Dharma Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
