Second in Ray's celebrated Apu Trilogy, the film continues where Pather Panchali left off.

Apu is 10 years old when the film opens. He grows both physically and emotionally throughout. His father dies early in the film, and his mother, Sarbajaya, intensely attached to Apu, inducts him into priesthood.

But Apu isn't content. The young boy wants to go to school. He persuades Sarbajaya, who sacrifices all for the child's education. At 16, Apu wins a scholarship and goes to Calcutta.

This breaks his mother's heart. And, as he slaves away in Calcutta to ensure he is able to study, Apu grows away from his mother. His increasingly shorter visits make Sarbajaya ache.

Eventually, Apu returns to an empty house. Sarbajaya too has left him. The boy, who has grown up seeing death from up close, grieves but finds the strength to leave the village for the last time. The city beckons him.

Truly an unparalleled coming-of-age film.