 In 1992 , Ray 's health deteriorated due to heart complications . He was admitted to a hospital , but never recovered . The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him an Honorary Academy Award . Ray is the first and the only Indian , yet , to receive the honor . Twenty @-@ four days before his death , Ray accepted the award in a gravely ill condition , calling it the " Best achievement of [ his ] movie @-@ making career . " He died on 23 April 1992 at the age of 71 . 
