The Runaway

Bari Theke Paliye

A story of discovery, longing and hardship in an indifferent city.

  • Director

    Ritwik Ghatak

  • With

    Param Bhattarak Lahiri, Padmadevi, Gyanesh Mukherjee, Kali Bannerjee

  • India 1959. 120min. Total running time 136min

  • Digital 4K (restoration)

  • English subtitles

A young boy runs away to Kolkata, chasing freedom and adventure. Observing the city through a child’s disillusioned yet ultimately optimistic gaze, it combines humour with understated social critique. Like The 400 Blows, The Runaway movingly conveys youthful rebellion and vulnerability, its journey grounded in the textures and inequalities of urban India. Unlike François Truffaut’s film, Ghatak’s drama remained largely unseen.

Also available on BFI Player

+ Places of Historic Interest in Bihar

Bihar Ke Darshaniya Sthan

India 1955. Director Ritwik Ghatak. 16min. Digital 4K (restoration). With English subtitles

Ghatak’s short, tracing art, education, Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism in ancient India was another collaboration – written and voiced by Hindi author and screenwriter Radhakrishna.

The screening of The Runaway on Wednesday 17 June will be introduced by Agni Lahiri, film protagonist’s son and producer’s grandson.