A sneak peek into the life and times of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray - In Pics

The renowned auteur, Satyajit Ray is hailed as the maverick and greatest filmmakers not just in India but worldwide. His cinema reflected the society of the time and brilliantly highlighted the class crisis and conflict on-screen. Ray, was driven to filmmaking after meeting French director Jean Renoir and watching the famous Italian neo-realist film 'Bicycle Thieves' by Vittoria De Sica. Satyajit Ray, before making his mark as a filmmaker, also worked in an advertising agency, publishing house - designing book covers for many. Ray was so influenced with his work at the publishing house that he used his illustrations as still shots in the first film he helmed.

On his birth anniversary (May 2, 1921), let's take a look at some of his rare pictures and re-live the life and times of Ray:

(Pic Courtesy: Filmhistorypics/Instagram)

Satyajit Ray with Kishore Kumar. (Pic Courtesy: Filmhistorypics/Instagram)

The iconic Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray. (Pic Courtesy: Bollywooddirect/Instagram)

Ray on a movie set. (Pic Courtesy: Rarephotoclub/Instagram)

Ray on the film sets with Sharmila Tagore and Soumitra Chatterjee.

(Pic Courtesy: Satyajit Ray official/Instagram)

When the legendary Satyajit Ray received The Academy Award. It was just a few days before he breathed his last. (Pic Courtesy: Satyajit Ray official/Instagram)

A rare pic of Satyajit Ray with wife and son. (Pic Courtesy: Satyajit Ray official/Instagram)

Satyajit Ray with Michelangelo Antonio. (Pic Courtesy: Satyajit Ray official/Instagram)