New Delhi/Dhaka, July 16, 2025 : India has urged Bangladesh to reconsider the planned demolition of the ancestral home of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray in Dhaka, offering technical and financial assistance to help restore and preserve the historic property. The appeal was made through diplomatic channels after reports emerged that the house, located in the Shegunbagicha area of the Bangladeshi capital, may be razed as part of a local development initiative.

The house holds deep historical and cultural significance, not only for India but also for Bangladesh. Built by Upendra Kishore Ray Chowdhury - Satyajit Ray’s grandfather and a pioneer in Bengali literature, publishing, and illustration, the property also served as the home of Sukumar Ray, the iconic nonsense poet and author, and father of Satyajit Ray. The filmmaker himself, who won an Academy Honorary Award for his contribution to world cinema, often referenced the house in his writings and interviews, calling it an early source of inspiration.

News of the potential demolition has sparked concern and outrage among artists, historians, and cultural activists in both countries. Many have called for the house to be declared a heritage property and converted into a museum to honor the Ray family’s enormous contribution to literature, art, and cinema.

In response to public sentiment and appeals from cultural circles, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has formally reached out to Bangladeshi authorities. Officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs have emphasized the house's importance as a shared cultural treasure and expressed readiness to support its conservation. They proposed that the residence could be developed into a cultural landmark and tourist attraction that would strengthen the people-to-people connection between India and Bangladesh.

Satyajit Ray remains an iconic figure in global cinema, and his family’s legacy is considered foundational in shaping modern Bengali literature and children’s storytelling. The potential loss of their ancestral home is viewed by many as an erasure of a vital piece of subcontinental heritage.

While the Bangladesh government has yet to issue an official response, sources suggest that the matter is under serious review. Local activists have also begun mobilizing efforts to stop the demolition, including launching online petitions and holding awareness events.

The proposed demolition comes at a time when both countries have been seeking to deepen cultural cooperation, and many observers see this as an opportunity for collaboration that honors a legacy spanning borders. Preserving the Ray home, they argue, would not only celebrate the past but also inspire future generations of artists, writers, and filmmakers on both sides of the border.

As discussions continue, the fate of the historic home remains uncertain, but momentum is building in favor of preservation. For millions who have been touched by the Ray family’s artistic genius, saving the house is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about keeping a living legacy alive.