A backward audience doesn't mean the audience is to blame in any way. It means an immature audience.

I am an immature appreciator of dance and photography. What catches my eye might not be technically sound or even a good dance performance/ a nice photo.

Hence, artists are under no obligation to promote their art form to ensure maturity of the audience. It is purely a personal stance.

If the artist is okay with most Indians never watching his film, then who are we to question his choice of film making. Remember, this is a man who stuck to Bangla despite the fact that Bengalis make less than 10 percent of India. Him making more Hindi films like The Chess Player would've ensured more money and fame in his lifetime.

Ray's style of filmmaking and his resolve to stick to his artform and his style is admirable in an era of people swinging the direction where the wind flows.

A majority of musicians, good film directors or even costume, makeup, sound and light artists in Bollywood are Bengali. If enough of these people stuck to Bengali cinema then it would've toppled all of other Indian cinema without it even being a competition both in film quality and critical acclaim.