sharmila was only 13 in this movie??

According to the Andrew Robinson biography of Ray, she was 14. It also says that she was totally untrained for this, her first film, and that Ray directed every move and look. I mention this not to denigrate Sharmila's performance, but rather to compliment both she and Ray for a seamless and moving result. I know of no other actress or director, for that matter, capable of pulling off those incredible domestic scenes. What an amazing movie.

But was Aparna actually supposed to be that young? Apu is older than 17 - he mentions that he was 17 when his mother died - so he was at least 18, a more reasonable age to get married.

If her birthdate here at IMDB is correct - Dec 8, 1946 - then she was at most 12 during the making of this film which was first released May 1, 1959.


"My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider."

<but fantastic debut nonetheless> ...got to realise who was mentoring her here. A Key Master.