Satyajit Ray Reveals Hollywood Plagiarised His Sci-Fi Story; Sparking Shock & Reflection

Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray once revealed that Hollywood plagiarised his science fiction story to create ET the Extra-Terrestrial.

A recently resurfaced video shows Ray explaining that he developed his screenplay, The Alien, well before ET debuted.

Ray said, “Long before ET, my science fiction screenplay was germinated from that story. I wrote a science fiction story called The Alien, a full screenplay, which was supposed to be financed by Columbia. That is why I spent five weeks in Hollywood, in connection with that. I had a middleman who acted strangely, forcing me to drop the idea.”

Born in Kolkata to a culturally rich family, Ray absorbed literature, art, and music, shaping his unique cinematic voice.

He studied at Visva-Bharati University and worked in advertising. During this time, he discovered a passion for filmmaking and drew strong inspiration from Italian Neorealism, especially Bicycle Thieves.

Ray made history with his debut film, Pather Panchali, produced on a shoestring budget with non-professional actors.

The film introduced naturalistic storytelling to Indian cinema and earned global acclaim, including recognition at the Cannes Film Festival.

It launched the iconic Apu Trilogy, following a Bengali boy’s journey from rural childhood to adulthood.

Over his career, Ray directed more than 30 films. His masterpieces include Charulata, Mahanagar, Jalsaghar, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, and Shatranj ke Khilari.

He also excelled as a writer, illustrator, composer, and designer, creating film scores and poster art himself.

Ray earned India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, and received an Honorary Oscar in 1992.

His films continue to influence generations, celebrated for their humanism, emotional depth, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Even decades later, The Alien showcases Ray’s visionary creativity and underscores his enduring global impact.

While ET became a Hollywood classic, Satyajit Ray’s pioneering ideas laid the foundation for imaginative storytelling across the world.

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