Ray Trailer: This World Of Complex Characters Is An Ode To The Master Of Mystery

The Ray trailer dropped June 8 and in fitting tribute to its namesake, looks thrilling to say the least. Satyajit Ray - writer, filmmaker, visionary unmatched - whose centenary the world celebrated last month marks his presence in spirit and style in this Netflix anthology.

Starring Manoj Bajpayee, Ali Fazal, Kay Kay Menon and Harshvarrdhan Kapoor, the four films delve deep into the complexity of human rasas, from ego to betrayal to deceit. The anthology, helmed by Abhishek Chaubey, Srijit Mukherji and Vasan Bala, also has Shweta Basu Prasad, Radhika Madan and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor in supporting roles.

Ray begins streaming June 25.

Ray Trailer: Of Fighting Inner Demons And Inhibitions

The underlining essence, rather warning, of the Ray trailer is the gradual fall that succeeds human hubris. All four male leads in Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, Forget Me Not, Bahrupiya and Spotlight, have traits that move between unbridled ambition and steady vanity. "Hum bhagwaan jaise hi toh hain," the trailer opens saying.

By the end of the trailer, each of them slips irretrievably into mania attuned to their unique conceits. Ray promises to be a dark, layered ride with no linear roads.

Mukherjee, who is also the name behind web series Feluda Pherot inspired from Ray's works, says, "Satyajit Ray has been a big inspiration in my life... I also got the opportunity to work with a brilliant cast, including actors like Kay Kay Menon, Ali Fazal and ">Shweta Basu Prasad across two stories."

Ray's male characters are a corporate mogul, a film star, a ghazal singer and an aspiring make-up artist. The female leads, though feature comparably little in the trailer, interestingly seem to be more than they're letting on. No matter how far removed these figures may appear from the viewers' lives, they are, in essence, holding up a mirror to our souls.

Watch the Ray trailer here: 

Views expressed are the author's own.